Access Matters Aotearoa’s Post

For people with #aphasia, this time of year can produce feelings of isolation within the celebration. They may experience difficulty requesting a preferred dish at a family gathering, have difficulty understanding the flow of the football game, and may find themselves overstimulated from all the celebrations. Fortunately, there are a few simple modifications you can make to your routine to make your table that much more accommodating and enjoyable for all! Read on to learn our top 5 aphasia-friendly tips for fostering an inclusive holiday environment!  https://lnkd.in/eagB8jsE By Zachary Smith, MS, CCC-SLP

With the weather as it is, some of us can only dream of jetting away. However, for those of us that would like to take a holiday, or who need to travel for other reasons, here's a great article outlining your rights as a disabled person, and also lots of great hints and tips on the entire process from researching where to go, making a booking through to accessible destination suggestions too: https://bit.ly/4fA6ekL . . #inclusivetravel #accessibletravel #accessibility #disabilityrights #disabilitytravel #traveltips #accessibletransport #accessibledestinations #disabilityadvice

🌟 Enhancing the Experience of Disabled Guests 🌟 We believe that everyone deserves an unforgettable experience! 💖 Whether it's a weekend getaway, a dining adventure, or a special event, we are dedicated to making our space welcoming and accessible for all guests, regardless of their abilities. ✨ Here’s How We’re Making a Difference: ✨ Accessibility Matters: We have invested in cutting-edge accessibility features, including ramps, wider doorways, and accessible restrooms, ensuring that everyone can move freely and comfortably. Personalized Services: Our dedicated team is trained to provide personalized support, from assisting with navigation to accommodating unique needs. We’re here to listen and help! 🤝 Sensory-Friendly Spaces: We understand the importance of creating calming environments. Our sensory-friendly areas allow guests to relax and recharge, designed with comfort and tranquility in mind. 🌈 Inclusive Menu Options: Enjoying a meal should be a delight for everyone! Our menu includes options for diverse dietary needs, ensuring that no guest has to compromise on taste or health. 🍽️ Feedback-Driven Improvements: Your voice matters! We actively seek feedback from our disabled guests to continually enhance our services and facilities. Together, we can create a more inclusive environment! 🌍 Join us in fostering a community where everyone can feel valued and included. Let’s break down barriers and celebrate diversity together! 💌 Share your thoughts and experiences with us below. What would make your visit even better? #Accessibility #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabledGuests #EveryoneWelcome

A groundbreaking 2014 survey by VisitEngland exploring the value of the so-called Purple Pound (the spending power of disabled people and their families to tourism) found that the total annual spend where a member of the party has an impairment was 12.1 billion GBP. Subsequent studies show this figure has since increased to 14.6 billion GBP. Yet travellers with disabilities are often underserved and underwhelmed by an industry that appears to be ignoring a sizeable market. From improving inclusivity and access across all touchpoints to clearer communication, one expert outlines how the sector should be doing better. https://buff.ly/3VGISTz #InclusiveTravel #TravelNews

Be sure to make your holiday gatherings accessible and inclusive for everyone this year! ⛄🎁 Check out these helpful tips 👇

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗿𝘆? Because the Early Bird discount for the 𝘊𝘈𝘚 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 is 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆. 🕊️🌈⏳ So, don't wait—sign up now to save big! And become one of those vibrant birds who truly understand #Diversity and can massively boost their #Career with it. 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗔𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗦 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/dbU3mhKU The early booking discount cannot be combined with other discount offers, e.g., from our partners. #ZHAW #Inclusion #SocialSustainability

September is Guide Dog Access Awareness Month and there is so much to learn and celebrate about these specially-bred and trained partners in independence. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Foundation has compiled some wonderful information. Among other great tips, they remind us that guide dogs belong everywhere, and that we should never distract a guide dog while they are in their harness, or offer them treats or food. Learn more guide dog etiquette here: https://ow.ly/zV7050ThIqX Then check out "Breaking Barriers," one of the videos in our "Talking Accessibility" series, for an example of a guide dog at work, exemplifying why it is so important to ensure accessibility for them: https://ow.ly/cx6n50ThIr1 #GuideDogAccessAwarenessMonth #Accessibility

🎄 Fostering Connection During the Holidays: Au Pairs & Host Families The holiday season is a time for gratitude, connection, and shared traditions. For au pairs and host families, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen bonds and embrace cultural exchange. Key Considerations for a Meaningful Holiday Experience: ✔ For Au Pairs: • Adjust to new traditions with an open heart. • Share your own cultural customs to enrich the experience. • Embrace being part of a second family during this special time. ✔ For Host Families: • Recognize the sacrifice your au pair makes being away from their loved ones. • Create an inclusive environment that celebrates shared values. • Blend traditions to foster mutual respect and deeper connection. The holiday season is more than a celebration—it’s a chance to build lasting relationships, learn from one another, and create memories that transcend borders. #AuPair #HostFamily #CulturalExchange #HolidaySeason #ProfessionalConnections #FamilyTraditions #Gratitude #InclusiveLeadership Find more here: Blog - https://lnkd.in/eAXB2-Gb Video - https://lnkd.in/eJg5uEYH

An adapted holiday is more than just wheelchair-friendly accommodation I see it all the time: travel agencies promoting “adapted holiday packages” for people with disabilities. This would be wonderful if it weren’t just adapted transportation, a more or less accessible accommodation and a few wheelchair-friendly attractions. But is that enough to create an unforgettable holiday experience? It starts with accessible accommodation and infrastructure, care personnel, medication, and ends with unique activities, perfectly adapted to your abilities as well as your disabilities. How many people do you know who have a disability? Or who may not be able to hike up a volcano? 🌋 But just because they can’t do this, doesn’t mean they can’t do other activities. 👉🏼 That’s exactly my mission with LanzAbility. Finding the right activities to create a unique holiday experience for all my guests to Lanzarote. How? By focusing on their abilities, not their disabilities. ♿️💪🏼 P.S. What’s your experience with adapted holiday providers been so far? Is there anything you felt could be improved? #adaptedholiday #accessibility #disability #Lanzarote #LanzAbility

Did you know we recently celebrated World Adoption Day on November 9, 2024? Check out our blog post to learn more about World Adoption Day and about our work in helping to complete families through adoption: https://lnkd.in/gJ_4t8bQ