TORONTO – The Chelsea Hotel, Toronto has been awarded the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Accessible Tourism Award, it was announced last month.
Accepting the award (left to right): Rob Housez, general manager, Chelsea Hotel and Colin McCarthy, Accessibility Professionals of Ontario.
Adopted by The Chelsea, the Closing the GAP (Guest Accessibility Package) program provides guests with amenities and information to assist persons with disabilities.
The package helps minimize any potential accessibility barriers due to lack of communication and information. The program was designed by Accessibility Professionals of Ontario (APO), a full-service accessibility consulting firm, and the Chelsea was the first Ontario hotel to implement the program.
The GAP Program and Accessible Guest Service Training enables the hotel to cater to visitors with disabilities, creating a positive narrative of accessibility in Toronto, and highlighting accessible attractions, restaurants and shopping experiences in Toronto.
“Our commitment to Closing the Gap is a natural extension of our Chelsea CARES program, which helps Toronto’s hospital community provide complimentary hotel rooms to families in need and includes a five-year sponsorship of SickKids Foundation,” said Rob Housez, general manager of the hotel.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) launched in 2005 and required all private sector organizations to meet their obligations under the Accessible Customer Service Standard. The second part of the legislation, the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation, addresses a variety of areas including accessible communication, transportation and involves a series of compliance deadlines.
The Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, is Canada’s largest hotel, with 1,590 guestrooms, and offers three restaurants, separate adult and family recreation areas and pools, including the Corkscrew, downtown Toronto’s only indoor waterslide. Amenities include the Family Fun Zone, Kid Centre and Club 33 Teen Lounge.
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