New Orleans & Company Partnering with Accessibility Non-Profits, Local Universities and Roll Mobility to Highlight Accessibility Areas for Travelers with Disabilities
This collaboration aims to gather vital accessibility data for businesses in the French Quarter
New Orleans & Company is working with Make Good, the University of New Orleans and Roll Mobility on the French Quarter Accessibility Project. Launched on November 1st, the French Quarter Access Project has begun mobilizing community members to collect accessibility data ahead of the Super Bowl, ensuring that both residents and visitors can enjoy an inclusive experience in one of the city’s most iconic areas.
Roll Mobility is providing the technical expertise to create the map, MakeGood and AbleWatch are providing accessibility recommendations with academic partners activating their students to participate.
The French Quarter Accessibility Project invites local students, advocates, healthcare professionals, and end users to utilize the Roll Mobility app to document accessible features in French Quarter establishments.
The project aims to map all the businesses in the French Quarter for accessibility and use the data to work with business owners to improve access and accessibility. People can download the Roll Mobility App on the app store and start mapping. Participants will automatically be entered into the leaderboard.
Make Good is offering a $1,000 reward to the individual who generates the most access reviews on the Roll Mobility app during the project’s run. Other prizes include New Orleans Pelicans tickets, two 3D printers, and restaurant gift cards.
“Good design creates access for everyone of all abilities. Participation for everyone is really good business practice. This effort is not only about mapping accessibility, but also about working directly with business owners to assist them in creating more accessible commercial opportunities. In coordination with our commercial partners, we will utilize our high-tech cutting-edge design and fabrication tools to create this change in our community,” said Noam Platt, President MakeGood INC.
"We're excited to partner with MakeGood and their New Orleans community partners to create a living accessibility map in the French Quarter! This effort will improve inclusion and community connection for years to come," said Rachel Zoeller, Roll Mobility.
“Our research on tourism accessibility transforms how we understand urban spaces, particularly in historic cities. By integrating disability best practices into classroom learning, we go beyond identifying barriers – actively reimagining inclusivity,” said Dr. Bridget M. Bordelon - Kabacoff Endowed Chair in Hospitality Management at the University of New Orleans (UNO) Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Administration. “This approach empowers UNO students to view events, attractions, festivals, hotels, restaurants, public spaces, and service from diverse perspectives, fostering innovative solutions that make environments more welcoming and accessible for all.”
This initiative is just the beginning; other neighborhoods have been identified for future accessibility reviews, with the French Quarter serving as a catalyst for a more accessible and inclusive New Orleans.
This partnership is in addition to the extensive efforts New Orleans & Company is continuing to work on in the accessibility space. Some of the resources include New Orleans & Company’s Wheel the World partnership announced in mid-November, Recite Me web accessibility on neworleans.com, the www.neworleans.com/plan/accessibility/ webpage and the recently completed French Quarter accessibility survey with the Department of Public Works.
“At New Orleans & Company, we strive to make New Orleans a great place to live, work and visit for locals and visitors alike. This partnership is a continuation of our work in ensuring that New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique and welcoming city in the world,” said Walt Leger, III, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company. “The more information we can provide to travelers with mobility issues, the better. We appreciate your work in providing this vital information.”
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About New Orleans & Company
New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique, and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco.
AbleWatch
AbleWatch is a non-profit initiative born from the lived experience of Scott, who became paralyzed and soon realized that many spaces and environments in our society are not designed to accommodate people with mobility challenges. The world—especially public spaces, transportation systems, and even digital platforms—often neglects to meet the needs of those with disabilities. This exclusion not only limits access but isolates individuals with mobility challenges from fully participating in society. AbleWatch was created as a response to this necessity, with a mission to raise awareness and advocate for greater access, inclusion, and accessibility for disabled people across the United States.
MakeGood
MakeGood is a New Orleans-based collective of makers, designers, caretakers, innovators, and more, dedicated to pushing the bounds of design in the field of adaptive technology and solving problems in the built environment to create a more accessible world.
Roll Mobility
Roll Mobility is a community-driven accessibility tool designed to make life easier for people who have mobility issues. The app provides reliable information on the accessibility of restaurants, public spaces, businesses, trails, and parking spaces.
The Beach at UNO
The only university research park in the region. The Beach at UNO is a vibrant community where academia, government, and entrepreneurial endeavors come together to maximize transformative solutions and build shared prosperity for our region.