Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District spoke on the House Floor to promote her bill, the Travel and Tourism for All Act, which makes travel and tourism more accessible for individuals with disabilities. This legislation requires the National Council on Disabilities to conduct a review and submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 2010 Department of Justice ADA Standards for Acceptable Design within the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. The report will include recommendations for improvement that will enable Congress to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to enjoy travel throughout the United States. Below are her remarks:
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to travel and explore the many incredible destinations located throughout our country. Individuals with disabilities, however, face much greater difficulties when they try to arrange travel.
“Las Vegas, my district, is a world leader in disability access. We have more handicap accessible guest rooms than any other American city. Our casinos offer gambling tables and slot machines designed for wheelchair users and all our show venues have designated handicapped seating. Other places could benefit from our example.
“That is why I introduced the Travel and Tourism for All Act that would require the National Council on Disability to conduct a review of existing disability standards in the tourism and hospitality industries and provide recommendations to help Congress ensure that people with disabilities are able to enjoy traveling throughout the United States.
“This act would ensure that we continue to set the international standard for disability accommodation in the hospitality industry, and it will attract tourists from other parts of the world where accommodations are less welcoming.
