Expanding Accessible Spaces in Eastern Oregon

Last Updated 2/8/2024 • Posted in Marketing, #mfcda, #marketing

WHAT

We invite you to participate in a low-cost program designed to help you broaden your customer base! This program will equip you with tools to better welcome customers with disabilities, in addition to those who use strollers and walkers (such as families with young children and seniors).

WHO

This program is best suited for local brick-and-mortar businesses and attractions like museums, art centers, gift shops, visitor centers, and other locations that are frequented by tourists.

Not one of these entities? There may be an opportunity for you to participate in the workshop component, space permitting. Please fill out this waitlist: LINK.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

An improved customer experience for a wide range of customers, including those with disabilities, strollers, and mobility aids
Resources to tap into a loyal customer base (that you may not already reach)
Marketing tools and promotion: online BluePath listing, shout-out on the BluePath social media, and other social media posts from program organizers
Expert recommendations for improvements (these make great supporting documentation for grant applications!)

SIGN ME UP!

To be notified when registration opens, fill out this interest form: LINK. Workshops dates will be announced soon. They will be offered in the following locations:

Enterprise
La Grande
Baker City
Richland
Boardman
Pendleton

FULL PROGRAM DETAILS:

The program has 5 key components*, all covered by the $15 program fee**:

In-person workshop: A crash-course on disability, accessibility, and common barriers. This will be followed by support to address easy-to-fix barriers in your space.
***Site Visit: A subject-matter expert will individually visit each participant to understand how someone with a disability might experience your space. This may include an interactive learning experience for your team (if schedules allow). The expert will share highlights of things you are doing well and recommendations for improvements, both specific to your space. (These recommendations make great supporting materials for grant applications!)
One-on-One Support: You will have access to one-on-one virtual support to develop an action plan based on the expert recommendations. These will be scheduled according to your availability.
BluePath Listing: Information from site visits will be captured in a listing on Blue-Path.org. Providing detailed information about your space helps visitors with disabilities determine what is accessible for them before they arrive. When you ‘claim’ your listing, you will be able to update this information as your space changes.
Cohort Experience: This program is a cohort-style learning experience, so you will have other people in your local network learning about the same concepts. Throughout the program, we will facilitate a space for you to celebrate successes, share ideas, and tackle questions.

*We are asking all participants to engage in the entire program. You must participate in a workshop to be eligible for the site visit and expert recommendations.

**If the program fee is a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Catie at coordinator@visiteasternoregon.com or via text/phone at 541-805-2443.

***Please note that the site visit is contingent upon the contractor’s ability to enter your space. We will work with participants to the best of our ability so that as many participants receive site visits as possible.

Program Timeline: The program is estimated to span 6 months. Note that exact dates are based on your location and expert availability.

For participants in Morrow & Umatilla counties: