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Nominees for the Accessible Hospitality Award of Distinction are attractions or events that provide exceptional, welcoming experiences for travelers with disabilities. This could be a lodging property, restaurant, attraction or event that goes above and beyond standard ADA compliance. Join Dutchess Tourism in celebrating all the honorees at the 11th annual Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park. Read more about the event and purchase tickets here.
Read on to learn more about each Accessible Hospitality Award of Distinction finalist.
Marcella Costello, Hudson Valley Renegades: The Hudson Valley Renegades are the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the South Atlantic League. The Renegades play their home games at Heritage Financial Park. Heritage Financial Park originally opened in 1994 with the name “Dutchess Stadium.” The Park is located just off I-84 in Wappingers Falls, New York. The mission of the Hudson Valley Renegades is “creating magical experiences that become lifelong memories for our entire community!”
David Steffen, Fisher Center at Bard College: The Fisher Center at Bard creates exceptional performing arts experiences that challenge and inspire. We nurture and support artists at all stages of their careers and believe the performing arts are a societal and educational necessity that foster connection, creativity, and community. Home is the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry and located on the campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson.
Jessica Bennett Trevor Zoo: Did you know that the Trevor Zoo is one-of-a-kind? It is, in fact, the only zoo in this country that is located at a high school. The zoo was established in 1936 at Millbrook School, a coeducational independent high school in Millbrook, New York. Its founder, Frank Trevor, was Millbrook School’s first biology teacher and a man with a passion for sharing his love of wildlife with all people, especially children.
And there are plenty of other interesting facts about the Trevor Zoo:
• It houses more than 170 exotic and indigenous animals
• 70 different species are represented
• It is home to 11 endangered species
• Its facilities extended over 6 acres
• It operates a veterinary clinic
• It is one of 237 zoos in the U.S. accredited by the AZA (Associations of Zoos and Aquariums)
This family-oriented zoo is fun for all ages. Birthday parties and group rates are available, and we are open year-round from 9am-5pm, including holidays.
Marcella Costello, Hudson Valley Renegades: Since 2022, the Hudson Valley Renegades have partnered with Curemark, LLC to create a Sensory Safe Suite at Heritage Financial Park. Suite #8 has been specifically redesigned to provide a supportive environment for families with children on the autism spectrum and with special needs, allowing them to fully enjoy the game. The Curemark Sensory Safe Suite offers a comforting, relaxing space that minimizes sensory overload while still being enjoyable and functional. This suite enables guests to unwind and experience baseball with their families away from the louder and often overwhelming atmosphere in other areas of the ballpark. It includes various sensory-friendly items for use and accommodates groups of up to 15 people at no cost on game nights. In addition, Heritage Financial Park provides several other accessible features, including 80 designated ADA seating options, with a total of 500 accessible seats throughout the venue, elevators to the Suite level and WMCHealth Club Lounge, ramp access to the field and the new Bud Light Party Porch & Club, three accessible restrooms, and designated handicap parking.
David Steffen, Fisher Center at Bard College: The Fisher Center aims to provide a positive, accessible, and inclusive visitor experience. Our comprehensive “Know Before You Go Guide” details all aspects of our accessibility program with large typography and corresponding photography. The guide includes parking details, venue entry and exit plans, theater floor plans, seating options, restroom information, assisted listening device instructions, wheelchair accessibility, and clear wayfinding directions so that guests can map out their entire visit to the Center in advance. Our commerce channels and pre-event communications invite audiences to share their specific accessibility needs in advance. In addition, our front-line team is trained to be knowledgeable of our accessibility programs, aware of both seen and unseen disabilities, and to anticipate and respond to requests on the day of performance.
Jessica Bennett Trevor Zoo: We have a wheelchair on site for anyone who may need one. Our bathrooms are accessible. Our pathways are made with flex-a-pave, a rubber/gravel mix with a smooth finish. Our railings allow visitors of all heights viewing of our animal enclosures.
Marcella Costello, Hudson Valley Renegades: Businesses should focus on creating a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities that goes beyond just physical accessibility — such as parking, seating, restrooms, and allowing service animals. A truly elevated experience includes outstanding customer service and a responsive staff. Employees who are helpful and compassionate can foster a safer and more enjoyable atmosphere for people with disabilities, greatly enhancing their overall experience. Additionally, businesses should seek to build relationships and partnerships with local organizations to develop new activities, programs, and spaces that are inclusive of all abilities.
David Steffen, Fisher Center at Bard College: At the Fisher Center, the focus on accessibility aligns with both our institutional values and business strategy. We strive to create a welcoming, approachable, and hospitable community of audiences, staff, students, and artists. Tourist destinations can become more inclusive by making accessibility an organizational priority. First steps might include the formation of an Accessibility Working Group, allocating a line item in the budget for accessibility projects, conducting an accessibility audit, creating feedback channels for staff/guests/visitors, seeking out grants that fund accessibility programs, and consulting with organizations and people that specialize in accessibility.
Jessica Bennett Trevor Zoo: The first step is to be open and willing to make changes to be more inclusive. After that, you can involve businesses and organizations who specialize in the assessment of your facility. We were fortunate enough to take advantage of Wheel of the World's assessment of our facility and have already incorporated some changes. Once you have a comprehensive report, you have the data to incorporate when you are completing a renovation or new design of your facility.
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