Excerpts from Universal Press Syndicate, January, 1998
"The Time To Travel" by Marcia Schnedler
The 50 million American adults with disabilities -- those with a significant hearing, visual or mobility impairment -- have an annual disposable income of $188 billion, according to W.C. Duke Associates Inc., of Woodford, Va. About half of those disabled are over 50.
In February 1990, Embassy Suites hired the Duke firm to help design its prime Lake Buena Vista, Fla., resort in Walt Disney World's orbit so it would be accessible and hospitable to those with disabilities.
Bill Duke, who is hearing-impaired, and his wife, Cheryl, who has degenerative arthritis, advised Embassy Suites on such things as the design of roll-in showers with fold-down seats, adding devices to assist the hearing-impaired, and creating a decor in contrasting bright colors easier to discern for those with visual problems.
They suggested that hallways, meeting rooms, elevator lobbies and other areas each have a different texture and pattern of floor covering to help identify location. They showed how open bed frames, rather than box frames, make it possible for wheelchair users like their son, Paul, to maneuver close enough to get into bed.