Travel Lane County VisitAble Certified
Travel Lane County has earned its Advocate Certification through VisitAble, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. All Travel Lane County staff completed VisitAble’s disability inclusion training, which was also offered to board members.
As VisitAble founder Joe Jamison explains, “Our Advocate Certification connects the real-world experiences of people with disabilities to the everyday needs of any organization. It gives teams practical tools to better serve visitors, employees, and stakeholders while building a culture of true inclusion – one that goes beyond just checking a box.”
“Empowering our region’s hospitality employees with the skills to welcome and serve all guests is a crucial step toward creating a welcoming environment for residents and visitors. We are excited to grow our partnership with VisitAble by spreading disability awareness in the community and leveraging these skills for the millions of visitors who come to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region each year.”
– Andy Vobora, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Travel Lane County
Travel Lane County has prioritized accessibility in an effort to become Oregon’s most accessible destination for people with disabilities. Prioritizing hearing loops in critical locations, Lane County now has the largest concentration of hearing looped tourist attractions in the region. Locations such as performing arts venues, Eugene Airport, museums and hotels have made accessibility improvements to better serve their guests. Partnerships have formed to provide accessible experiences for thrill-seekers looking to experience our incredible Oregon Coast at Heceta Beach and trails at Mount Pisgah by accessing an all-terrain track chair through David’s Chair. Trails throughout the region have been assessed, providing needed information for trail users and new trail projects will create more opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy nature.
Travel Lane County has a mission to grow overnight visitors for a vibrant, year-round and county-wide economy in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region. One way we accomplish this is through magnifying the accessibility work of many organizations over many decades. Our cities have invested in both the built environment and programming; Lane Transit District was the first district in the nation to be fully accessible for riders using mobility devices; and local organizations provide educational and artistic opportunities for people with and without disabilities. This amazing work sets the stage for visitors with disabilities to enjoy great Oregon experiences, including a first-of-its-kind experience. For the first time in history, the USA Track & Field (USATF) Para National Championships will be held in conjunction with the USATF Outdoor Championships. Athletes in both meets will compete for spots on Team USA for the World and Para World Athletics Championships this fall.
Learn more about accessible experiences in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region.
Contact VisitAble: Joe Jamison, Founder: 703.731.7963 | joe.jamison@visitable.org | https://www.visitable.io/
About Travel Lane County
Travel Lane County markets and promotes the Eugene, Cascades and Coast region as a destination for travel, conventions, sports, meetings and events. It serves as a private, nonprofit association dedicated to economic development through visitor spending, which pumped nearly $1.1 billion into Lane County, Oregon’s economy in 2023.
