Visit Baltimore Releases New Accessibility Resource for the Local Hospitality Industry

Baltimore, MD – Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for Baltimore City, today announced the launch of a new accessibility resource as part of its Warm Welcome Program to further educate the hospitality industry and other organizations on fostering an inclusive environment for all visitors.  

The new resource features an accessibility guide that provides guidance to the owners and staff of hotels, restaurants, museums and attractions on the topics of disability identity, etiquette, needs and preferences.  

“We firmly believe that Baltimore is a top destination for a diverse array of travelers, no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Al Hutchinson, President and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “As we have been striving to become a destination that embraces diversity and inclusivity, we recognize the important role that accessibility plays when travelers with disabilities are making decisions on where to visit.” 

The training is presented by Visit Baltimore and well-respected DEI and Accessibility expert, Melanie Hood-Wilson, owner of Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates, and Director of Special Populations at the Community College of Baltimore County.  

“While most businesses are in compliance with ADA requirements, there are a number of things that hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions can do to improve their services for individuals with disabilities,” said Melanie Hood-Wilson. “The goal of this module is to ensure that Baltimore’s visitors with disabilities are afforded equal access to and enjoyment of all the many cultural resources Baltimore has to offer. While we have a long way to go in this area, it is important that businesses and attractions put in the work every day to be welcoming and inclusive.” 

The Visit Baltimore Warm Welcome program aims to establish Baltimore as a top destination for all people, regardless of race, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, disability and more. The program encourages local hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses to sign an online pledge committing to train their staff and stakeholders to use supportive, affirming language; inspire proactive allyship; encourage productive dialogue about race, accessibility and bias; and foster active listening and learning. Upon signing the pledge, participants receive a link to the exclusive training toolkit created specifically for the tourism and hospitality community in Baltimore.  

Once an organization completes the training with their entire staff, Visit Baltimore will provide a Warm Welcome kit that includes a window cling and other display items to show visitors they are seen and respected in that place of business. In addition to the accessibility module, businesses can find resources and training surrounding the topic of race and unconscious bias on the Warm Welcome platform, presented by DEI expert Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., founding director of The Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice on the campus of Loyola University Maryland and host of “Today with Dr. Kaye” on WEAA 88.9 FM.  Visit Baltimore is continuously working with local DE&I experts to enhance its Warm Welcome resources for participants and has plans to release an additional module focusing on the LGBTQ+ Community later this year. 

For more on how the Warm Welcome Program works, visit the program landing page at Baltimore.org/WarmWelcome. 

About Visit Baltimore    

Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2019, spending by travelers totaled $6 billion in direct spending throughout the city, supporting 86,827 total jobs and generating $750 million in state and city tax revenues. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.    

About Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates 

Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates is a for-profit consulting company providing services designed to teach, enlighten, and change lives through teaching, learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion. As America strives to be a more inclusive nation, understanding differences and the importance of equity, many organizations are working to improve their cultural competency and increase the representation of communities of color, women, individuals with differing abilities, and those of diverse religious and national backgrounds. Unlike most DEI organizations whose focus is on systems of oppression, we focus on changing personal and organizational behaviors and uniting communities. Melanie Hood-Wilson and Associates has been at the forefront of organizational trainings, accountability planning, DEI coaching, meeting facilitation, strategic planning, and education around race, culture, and ability, providing services for schools, non-profits, colleges, for-profit businesses, government agencies, and faith communities. For more information, visit us at: Melaniehoodwilsonandassociates.com