Carlson Hotels Worldwide Tests In-room Accessibility Kits That Assist Guests With Dwarfism And Other Physical Limitations

MINNEAPOLIS (Tuesday, September 13, 2005) - For most travelers, visiting a hotel is a common occurrence as they approach the front desk, push elevator buttons, latch the guestroom door, hang up their clothes and sit on the bed. For one in 1,000 guests who are short statured (4'10" or shorter), however, this everyday event is filled with a variety of obstacles and safety issues the average hotel guest never encounters.

For this reason, the brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide have voluntarily begun testing in-room accessibility kits that help guests with dwarfism and other physical limitations experience a safer hotel stay. The kits, which are now available at owned and managed Radisson Hotels & Resorts®, Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites By Carlsonsm hotels in the Americas, include a stepstool, a reaching tool, a bar to lower the clothes rack in closets, and a device to retrofit the latch-hook lock on the door. The brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide also include Regent International Hotels and Park Inn®.

Carmen Baker, vice president of Diversity for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, said Carlson Hotels proactively approaches diversity as more than an ethnic issue.

"Our perspective on diversity is that it goes far beyond the traditional realms of ethnicity," said Baker. "While we maintain a sharp focus on recruiting, hiring and training people of diverse backgrounds, establishing guidelines for increasing dollars spent with minority suppliers, and creating minority business ownership opportunities, we are also adopting programs and training that address sensitivity and accessibility issues of guests with physical limitations. There are more than 52 million people with disabilities - the largest minority group in the U.S. Many people with disabilities may not travel because they are more aware of where they can't go, rather than where they can go. Our intent is to let them know they can go to Carlson hotels, and hope they will put our brands at the tops of their preferred hotels list," said Baker.

Baker added that the tool kits being offered in Carlson hotels are the direct result of a relationship formed with Little People of America, Inc. (LPA), and Direct Access Solutions, the company responsible for providing the kits to the hotels.

"Carlson Hotels has a very responsive and attentive diversity department, and is a great example of how corporate America does the right thing when presented with the challenges of the disabled community," said Dan Okenfuss, vice president of public relations for Little People of America, Inc. "It's our belief that by voluntarily providing accessibility tools and accommodations for people with dwarfism, it relieves the pressure of our members to continue to lobby for more ADAAG (ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities) 'rules.' It's a win-win situation for the hotel and the traveler with dwarfism. As a frequent traveler myself, I find it reassuring that I will be able to check into a Carlson-branded hotel and know I'll have a tool kit waiting for me, instead of having to lug my own reach-aids or use hotel furniture in an unsafe manner."

Matt Roloff, owner of Direct Access Solutions, said Carlson's proactive attention to this issue compelled him to nominate the company for an Eagle Award, an honor presented by Calif.-based Disability Rights Advocates to organizations that willingly provide auxiliary access aids to individuals with dwarfism.

"People with dwarfism have largely been ignored in ADA laws and guidelines that pertain to hotel companies providing accessible accommodations at the property level," said Roloff. "This action implemented by Carlson's diversity and operations departments stands out as going above and beyond what is expected, and we are very appreciative of their efforts."

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