New TOTA Video captures Accessibility in a New Light

We are very proud to be releasing our newest Video "Accessibility in a New Light," this 2020 BC Day long weekend.

For several years, TOTA has been working closely with Spinal Cord Injury BC and Access BC to bring information and attention to the importance of "Access for All." We are honored and proud to have 3-time Paralympic Gold Medalist Sonja Gaudet to guide our work as our Accessibility Specialist. In more recent months, we have signed formal partnerships with CRIS Adaptive, Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association, Access Revolution, and Travel for All, with a goal to build inclusive and accessible tourism experiences in the Thompson Okanagan region.

As you watch this video and listen to the heartfelt comments, it is my hope that what you take with you is the importance of creating region-wide experiences that everyone can enjoy. Each of us has varying levels of ability, whether aspiring athletes, small children, aging seniors, or gold medal contenders. Whether we have a child in a stroller, use a walker, a cane, or a wheelchair, we all have a need that must be met so that we can fully take part in all aspects of life and engage with everyone around us.

We need to learn to appreciate that all that we are, and all that we have, is fragile and can quickly, and without notice, be altered. Abilities should not define opportunities, nor should they prevent any one of us from having the chance to participate and enjoy.

The tourism industry can help make a difference by thoughtfully working to create accessible experiences. To build hotels, restaurants, outdoor adventures, transportation, and so much more, designed to make it easy for those with ability challenges to take part.

The quote that I take away from this video is from Shelley Buchanan Gilmore, who so accurately notes: "We need to stop labeling how we are different and start to create a system where we are all the same."

I hope you will take time to watch this new video, share it with others, and think about how your business might make small changes to be more welcoming to all persons, regardless of ability.

Learn More About TOTA's Accessible Tourism Program

Happy BC Day Long Weekend, Be Safe, Be Healthy, and above all Be Kind.

- Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | "Accessible" and how important is it that you are?

When most people hear the word accessibility, the first thought for many is to reference individuals who for a variety of reasons may require a wheelchair.

Today the definition of accessibility has become much broader. Inclusive and accessible tourism and travel means welcoming persons with a wide range of mobility needs. These needs may be the result of injury or aging, but they may also be parents or grandparents traveling with young children who are in strollers, it may mean individuals with hearing and sight concerns or those with diminished mental capacity.

Increasingly people want to travel and experience the world no matter their situation. No longer are people willing to be held back by physical or mental issues, no longer content to stay home or watch while others enjoy. This provides the Tourism Industry with a tremendous opportunity is to ensure we are ready and welcoming making adjustments to services and products that will assist in helping everyone's travel experiences "remarkable" and "exceptional".

Based on our understanding and learning in this area continues to grow we know that while businesses and operators cannot be all things to all people, it is important to accurately communicate the accessible services you do have. For this reason, we are undertaking the development of the first regional accessibility travel guide. With input and direction from our TOTA Accessibility Specialist Sonja Gaudet, we believe this first of its kind travel guide, will provide guests and potential guests to the region insightful guidance for trip planning that can help ease the concerns of a fast-growing segment of the travel population.

Join us in creating what we know is a critically important regional guide. All of our TOTA team are taking an active role in bringing this piece to life and can help answer your questions.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Mobility is a Human Right

It is hard to believe the 2018 Winter Olympics have come to an end. Canadian athletes certainly did our country proud and while we had some unexpected losses we certainly had a tremendous number of wins.  However, this is not going to be a review of the Winter Olympics but a commentary on what I believe was an outstanding advertising campaign that ran extensively by Toyota during this year’s Games.

What you may or may not know is that Toyota is now in its 8th year as a sponsor of the Olympics and Paralympic Games and they have taken their role very seriously.  Fundamentally, Toyota made the decision that they are no longer a car company, but rather a mobility company.  Their messages are clear, concise, and make you pay attention; they make you want to stay in the room when the commercials come on; and they made you want to see them again and again and share them with others.

Their resounding commentary of "Mobility is a Human Right" and "Start Your Impossible", underscores the importance of our need to participate and enjoy the freedom of movement by all persons. They ask that we change our mindset of what is possible by anyone at any age and reinforce that physical challenges touch many lives, be they from birth, as a result of injury, or as part of the aging process. Giving human kind the ability to participate fully in life, through whatever supports can be made available, changes the quality of life for everyone.  Toyota have done a masterful job of creating stories that are engaging, inspirational, evoke emotion and are definitely memorable. They have successfully used their brand to make an important social commentary; they have used their brand for good.

Accessibility needs to be an important conversation for the Tourism Industry. As an industry we can make a difference to the lives of our residents and visitors by embracing the ideal of Access for All.  To this end, TOTA is pleased to have recently announced our partnership with Spinal Cord Injury BC and together have launched Access BC. Through this relationship we will be endeavouring to identify and promote tourism products and services that are accessible to all and encouraging tourism stakeholders to identify the changes they can make that will make their services welcoming to a wide array of abilities.

We may be "Starting our Impossible" as an industry, but if an Automotive Company can recognize its role in advancing accessibility, there is no question in my mind that Tourism can take on this important commitment and be a part of inspiring moments for all.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO