A hotel that gets it

I am always happy to acknowledge the great work of any organization whenever it succeeds in making its services and products accessible to those who are disabled or have special needs.

For this week, my huge congrats go out to the Southway Hotel of Ottawa. This hotel really gets it in every way and here's why.

At the end of February 2014 I booked a reservation to stay with this hotel and from start to finish the service was nothing less than excellent. As soon as I had told them that I was blind because I always do so before confirming my booking, they sprang into action. They went out of their way to reassure me that they provided services to accommodate my needs and as soon as I had set foot in the Southway, I was treated to some of the best services.

They told me that they would mark the door to my room with elastic bands on the door's handle. Their reception clerks went out of their way to explain everything to me and marked my key card in a way that I would have no
difficulty using it to open my door.

They went beyond the call of duty and even had great facilities for those wishing to take their dogs outside. I do not myself have a dog but I was extremely happy to see that my friend could take her dog without having to worry. Their gym was extremely accessible and there was always someone there to help.

Congrats to you, Southway, and to your staff!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

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