Visit Lauderdale has announced it will host the Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) 17th Biennial National Conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood on June 25 – 29, 2023.
Welcoming visitors of all abilities to enjoy 31 vibrant communities, Visit Lauderdale and has been working to remove barriers to provide quality experiences for everyone under the sun. In fact, within a year after launching a specialized Accessible Tourism landing page, which makes trip planning for people with visible and invisible disabilities easier, event organizers determined Greater Fort Lauderdale was the ideal location to host the DSA 2023 Conference.
“We are committed to providing everyone with a safe and supportive environment and are thrilled to welcome the Deaf Seniors of America 2023 Conference to Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Richard Gray, Visit Lauderdale’s senior vice president of Inclusion & Accessibility. “Every effort is being made to provide the hundreds of attendees with a memorable and immersive experience.”
More than 1,000 deaf and hard of hearing seniors, age 50 and older, from throughout the United States and beyond are registered for the conference which offers a variety of educational workshops, presentations and activities provided in American Sign Language. Exhibits are open to the public, featuring more than 50 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and deaf-owned businesses whose products and services are geared to the needs of deaf seniors. The packed conference schedule includes comedy and variety shows, luncheons, reunions, and a LGBT+ social. Members will also take part in DSA business sessions to help shape future plans and strategies.
“We welcome everyone and put great value on inclusiveness, so aligning with Visit Lauderdale was a natural choice,” said Phil Aiello, chair of the Deaf Seniors of America 2023 Conference. “Every other year we host our conference in a new region, providing members with opportunities to explore and grow, as we strive to provide an optimal, interactive environment where full access is given for all.”
Workshop topics, geared specifically to the needs and interests of conference registrants, range from housing, technology, travel, healthcare and entertainment. Examples include navigating the road of Medicare, turning pain into purpose related to dementia, choices in senior living and home care, protections against scamming and hacking, and guides to being a smarter world traveler.
“Everyone deserves to be seen and our hope is that by removing accessibility barriers, such as with our specialized site, which offers a list of hotels, attractions, theaters, beaches and transportation providers, even more people will visit Greater Fort Lauderdale and explore our culturally rich and diverse community,” said Gray.
As evidence in its “Everyone Under the Sun” campaign, Visit Lauderdale’s commitment to accessibility is underscored by its Platinum Charter and Destination A11Y Club membership with Travelability, an organization dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the travel industry to improve travel experiences for people with hidden and visible disabilities.
For Deaf Seniors of America 2023 attendees arriving early, accommodations have been arranged at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel in Plantation. Primary conference attendees will stay at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.
