Orlando, Florida, May 2012—Enabling Independence: Service for Guests with Disabilities, a training video from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI), has won a Bronze Telly in the 33rd annual Telly Awards, which honors outstanding production in the field of video. EI has been awarded more than 15 bronze Tellys and one Silver Telly as finalists in this annual award competition.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives more than 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Entries do not compete against each other; rather, entries are judged against a high standard of merit.  Fewer than 10 percent of entries are chosen as winners of a Silver Telly, the council’s highest honor.  Other outstanding work is awarded a Bronze Telly. 

Enabling Independence: Service for Guests with Disabilities is a 33-minute DVD training program that shows employees how to confidently and respectfully deliver great service to guests with disabilities. It provides information on new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III non-discrimination requirements that went into effect in March 2011.

The video, which is presented in English and Spanish, shares practical guidelines for recognizing a disability, effectively communicating with people with disabilities, offering appropriate accommodations that meet their needs, and respectfully assisting them during their stay as well as during emergency situations. It stresses the need for employees to understand their property’s services and accommodations so they can offer the appropriate services to guests. It also covers expanded ADA requirements regarding power-driven mobility devices, service animals, and practical steps employees can take to ensure the safety and satisfaction of guests with disabilities.

The Enabling Independence video program comes with a leader’s guide (in English) with discussion questions, practice activities to help employees understand the guest’s perspective and identify property-specific services, an accomplishment checklist, and an optional 10-question quiz. A companion learner’s guide is available in side-by-side English and Spanish.

Subject matter experts who contributed to the development of this program include Mark Boccia, senior director, Global Operations Training for Marriott International; and Chris Canizaro, manager, Global Operations Design & Development for Marriott International. Minh N. Vu, national ADA Title III practice team leader and partner in the Labor and Employment Department, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, also contributed to the video script and accompanying print materials.

Enabling Independence: Service for Guests with Disabilities is available for $219.95 for AH&LA members and $264.95 for nonmembers. To order, visit www.ahlei.org or call 800-349-0299 or 517-372-8800.  Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 407-999-8100.
 
About the Educational Institute
Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute’s mission is to continue being the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals worldwide.  For more information about the Educational Institute training resources and professional certification, visit http://www.ahlei.org