Microtel Inns & Suites Tapped for 'Disability Matters' Award

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Microtel Inns & Suites Tapped for 'Disability Matters' Award

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Boonton, NJ, United States, 04/03/2008 -

Microtel Hotel brand honored by Disability Matters for the brand's

significant contributions to the needs of travelers with disabilities.

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/32265/

http://www.microtelinn.com/ada/

Microtel Inns & Suites has been named a winner in the marketing

category of the Disability Matters Award Competition for the brand's

significant contributions to the needs of travelers with

disabilities. Disability Matters honors select companies that have

made contributions in work/life, diversity and marketing initiatives

related to people with disabilities and their families. Microtel is

the award-winning chain of all-new construction, interior corridor

economy/limited service hotels.

Announced by Springboard Consulting, LLC and Work Life Matters

magazine, the award will be presented on July 22, 2008 at the second

annual Disabilities Matters Conference in Detroit, MI at General

Motors Corporation's global headquarters. The conference is being

held in conjunction with the national celebration of the 18th

anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

" We are proud to recognize our nation's corporate pioneers who are

dedicating important resources and services to the special needs

community and to help drive independence for people with

disabilities, " said Nadine Vogel, President of Springboard

Consulting. " Microtel's program makes traveling easier and more

accessible for the millions of persons with disabilities and their

caregivers. "

Said Roy E. Flora, Chief Operating Officer of US Franchise Systems,

Inc. (USFS), parent company of the franchisor of the Microtel Inns &

Suites hotel brand, " We are honored to receive this recognition and

to contribute to the advancement of physical and attitudinal

accessibility for people with disabilities. We are proud that our

commitment to accommodating people with disabilities is helping to

raise awareness of their needs and further the progress that has been

made in integrating this important and growing market segment into

our world. "

Microtel is known as the preferred hotel chain for travelers with

disabilities, and promotes universal physical and attitudinal

accessibility. The brand offers three ADA-room designs and a

consistency of services to fit guests' needs, along with its Opening

Doors® program whereby all staff are trained in disability awareness

and customer service. Opening Doors emphasizes disability etiquette

skills training that includes interactive activities and role playing

using wheelchairs, blindfolds, earplugs and taped hands for employees

to practice how to service customers with disabilities.

In addition, Microtel provides 'Access Microtel' pamphlets

and 'Accessible Fitness' bags for guests to check out and use in

their room. The Upper Body Ergometer, which offers a variety of

options for upper body cardiovascular conditioning to complement a

daily work-out, is located in every Microtel hotel with a fitness

center on-site. And to better serve the over 1.2 million Americans of

short stature, Microtel provides accessibility products preferred by

Little People at all its locations. The 'Short Stature Accessibility

Kit' includes a custom stepstool, ergonomic reach grabber, door

security latch adapter, extension or 'push-pull' tool, and specially

designed closet rod adapter.

Microtel was the first hotel brand to become a sponsor of The Society

for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) and is pro-actively

involved in several other initiatives that target the needs of

travelers with disabilities. The United Spinal Association recognizes

Microtel hotels nationwide as preferred travel partners with United

Spinal's ABLE to Travel program.

For the sixth consecutive year, Microtel has been ranked highest in

overall guest satisfaction among economy/limited service hotel chains

in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Hotel Guest

Satisfaction Index StudySM. Microtel offers free local and long

distance phone calls within the continental U.S., plus free WiFi in

all hotel rooms nationwide. All hotels feature the stylish new

Microtel bedding known as Dream Well™. New hotels feature the brand's

innovative and trend-setting guestroom décor that is contemporary and

streamlined, and with unexpected enhancements that guests would not

ordinarily expect to find in an economy hotel.

There are currently 325 Microtel hotels open and under construction

worldwide. All hotels provide complimentary continental breakfast,

and members of the MicroPass™ frequent guest program earn a free

hotel stay after nine night stays at any location. For hotel

reservations, contact 1-800-771-7171, TDD 1-800-824-2082, or 1-888-

304-6835 (Spanish speaking). All Microtel hotels are independently

owned and operated.