Microtel Inns & Suites Tapped for 'Disability Matters' Award

By: Microtel® by Wyndham | 0 Shares 112 Reads

April 04, 2008 // Franchising.com // Microtel Inns & Suites has been named a winner in the marketing category of the Disability Matters Award Competition for the brand's significant contributions to the needs of travelers with disabilities. Disability Matters honors select companies that have made contributions in work/life, diversity and marketing initiatives related to people with disabilities and their families. Microtel is the award-winning chain of all-new construction, interior corridor economy/limited service hotels.

Announced by Springboard Consulting LLC and Work Life Matters magazine, the award will be presented on July 22, 2008 at the second annual Disabilities Matters Conference in Detroit, MI at General Motors Corporation's global headquarters. The conference is being held in conjunction with the national celebration of the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We are proud to recognize our nation's corporate pioneers who are dedicating important resources and services to the special needs community and to help drive independence for people with disabilities," said Nadine Vogel, President of Springboard Consulting. "Microtel's program makes traveling easier and more accessible for the millions of persons with disabilities and their caregivers."

Said Roy E. Flora, Chief Operating Officer of US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS), parent company of the franchisor of the Microtel Inns & Suites hotel brand, "We are honored to receive this recognition and to contribute to the advancement of physical and attitudinal accessibility for people with disabilities. We are proud that our commitment to accommodating people with disabilities is helping to raise awareness of their needs and further the progress that has been made in integrating this important and growing market segment into our world."

Microtel is known as the preferred hotel chain for travelers with disabilities, and promotes universal physical and attitudinal accessibility. The brand offers three ADA-room designs and a consistency of services to fit guests' needs, along with its Opening Doors® program whereby all staff are trained in disability awareness and customer service. Opening Doors emphasizes disability etiquette skills training that includes interactive activities and role playing using wheelchairs, blindfolds, earplugs and taped hands for employees to practice how to service customers with disabilities.

In addition, Microtel provides 'Access Microtel' pamphlets and 'Accessible Fitness' bags for guests to check out and use in their room. The Upper Body Ergometer, which offers a variety of options for upper body cardiovascular conditioning to complement a daily work-out, is located in every Microtel hotel with a fitness center on-site. And to better serve the over 1.2 million Americans of short stature, Microtel provides accessibility products preferred by Little People at all its locations. The 'Short Stature Accessibility Kit' includes a custom stepstool, ergonomic reach grabber, door security latch adapter, extension or 'push-pull' tool, and specially designed closet rod adapter.

Microtel was the first hotel brand to become a sponsor of The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) and is proactively involved in several other initiatives that target the needs of travelers with disabilities. The United Spinal Association recognizes Microtel hotels nationwide as preferred travel partners with United Spinal's ABLE to Travel program.

For the sixth consecutive year, Microtel has been ranked highest in overall guest satisfaction among economy/limited service hotel chains in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. Microtel offers free local and long distance phone calls within the continental U.S., plus free WiFi in all hotel rooms nationwide. All hotels feature the stylish new Microtel bedding known as Dream Well™. New hotels feature the brand's innovative and trend-setting guestroom décor that is contemporary and streamlined, and with unexpected enhancements that guests would not ordinarily expect to find in an economy hotel.

There are currently 325 Microtel hotels open and under construction worldwide. All hotels provide complimentary continental breakfast, and members of the MicroPass™ frequent guest program earn a free night's stay after nine night stays at any location. For hotel reservations, visit http://www.microtelinn.com or http://espanol.microtelinn.com, or contact 1-800-771-7171, TDD 1-800-824-2082, or 1-888-304-6835 (Spanish speaking). All Microtel hotels are independently owned and operated.

For additional information about Disability Matters and the upcoming conference, visit www.disabilitymattersawards.com.

Book your online hotel reservation today at one of Microtel Inn and Suites' hotels for your next business or leisure trip.