March 28, 2023
FOR MEDIA ONLY
Hearing Loops Installed at Hotels and Attractions
Eugene, OR - Travel Lane County is rolling out a hearing loop accessibility program with hotel and attraction partners. "ALKO Hotels worked with us as our pilot program and they now have hearing loops at the front desk of all five of their Eugene-Springfield hotel properties," noted Andy Vobora, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations at Travel Lane County. "We are now prepared to expand the program to hotels and attractions throughout Lane County."
Travel Lane County funding for the hearing loop program was increased when Travel Oregon awarded a $50,000 grant. Total funding will allow for approximately 50-60 businesses to install hearing loops.
To provide the media an opportunity to see how easily this accessibility amenity can be incorporated into a hotel front desk or attractions providing tours, we've put together an opportunity to talk with key program participants.
Thursday, March 30 – Hearing Loop Press Event
Time – 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location – Tru by Hilton (3111 Franklin Blvd)
Speakers:
10 a.m. - Pranav Patel, Vice President of Development, ALKO Hotels
10:05 a.m. - Sue Prichard, Loop Lane County Committee
10:10 a.m. - Alan Anttila, Hearing Support Solutions
10:15 a.m. - Andy Vobora, Travel Lane County
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. - Loop Demonstration
10:30 am – 10:45 am – Travel to Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (303 Willamette St - off 4th Avenue)
10:45 a.m. – 11 a.m. Media interview with Leah about the SMJ House system and the value of adding loops. Additional b-roll opportunity showing loops used in an attraction.
Travel Lane County is committed to welcoming all visitors to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region and ensuring they have a great Oregon experience. We are excited to launch our Hearing Loops initiative. Did you know that 48 million Americans have hearing loss? That’s 1 in 7 citizens that have this invisible disability.
Hearing Loop systems allow customers with T-coil-enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear conversations clearly by delivering the staff’s voice directly into the visitor’s hearing device. Front-line staff will be better able to welcome guests and ensure they receive all the essential information they require.
Travel Lane County is working with the Loop Lane County Committee on this initiative. Loop Lane County is working diligently to see hearing loops installed in performing arts venues (The Shedd, Hult Center, Cottage Theatre, and Florence Events Center), the Eugene Airport (ticket counter and car rental counter) hotel front desks (The Gordon Hotel), and many more locations that serve residents and visitors.
