FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Society for Accessible Travel &
Hospitality (SATH), formerly known as the Society for the
Advancement of Travelers with Handicaps, chose its silver
anniversary as the time to unveil a new name and company focus at
its fifth annual World Congress here Jan. 24 to 28.
After 25 years of furthering a cause started by the
organization's founder, Murray Vidockler, the name has been changed
to reflect the proper language and attitude towards travelers with
disabilities.
According to Laurel Van Horn, SATH's executive director, "The
new name conveys our involvement with all branches of the tourism
industry, while eliminating the outmoded word 'handicapped.' "
"We hope that those individuals offended by our former name will
now come on board and help us build a new future together," she
added.
The organization also is working on revamping its Web site,
located at www.sath.org, to include links to all of its
members.
Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, SATH
increasingly has worked to become a resource for agents and
suppliers to assist in marketing and selling to the disability
community.
Its revamped business philosophy can be illustrated in the
organization's expanded relationships with Royal Caribbean Cruises
and AAA, in which SATH will be involved in hotel inspections used
to gather information for AAA's new access guides initially
covering nine major U.S. cities.
As reported, two of these guides are due out Oct. 1: "AAA's
Accessible Central Florida" and "AAA's California Accessible
Destinations."
AAA also is working to create an accessibility Web site.
According to Van Horn, the organization sees its role as educating
agents, tour operators and industry professionals at events and
through partnerships with other organizations such as ASTA and the
National Tour Association.
"We are trying to beef up the information we provide to the
traveling public and consumer press to create a clearer picture of
the buying power of 56 million Americans with disabilities," Van
Horn said.
SATH also reported that it will be holding additional meetings
this year, including an international symposium in Cape Town, South
Africa, May 20 to 25.
A West Coast symposium in San Diego, to be held Aug. 2 to 5,
will be sponsored by the city's resource for travelers with
disabilities, Accessible San Diego.
Van Horn added that although SATH has its hands full in the
U.S., the world is knocking at its door.
"Requests for assistance with disability rights legislation,
access projects and training are coming in from all over the
globe," she said. "Not only does this give us the opportunity to
train receptive operators and develop accessible destinations, but
also to improve the lives of local people with disabilities."
In order to effectively put this plan into action, SATH is
building strategic alliances with nonprofit organizations such as
Access Exchange International and creating a network of
international chapters.
The goal is to increase SATH membership around the world and
strengthen the grassroots efforts of all its chapters.