Post 01 - About Me & My Capstone Project

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Hello! My name is Neah Schlabach, a third-year occupational therapy (OT) student at Huntington University. I am currently in my last semester, completing my Doctoral Capstone Experience on accessible tourism.

I was born and raised in Sarasota, a coastal city in southwest Florida. I grew up completely loving my surroundings, from the sand at Siesta Key to out east in Myakka. It didn't take long before I realized that there were a lot of people that also loved my hometown. Tourist season comes every year, bringing thousands of people to our beaches and town. However, one spring break I began to take notice of the accessibility around me. I started to brainstorm how individuals with disabilities would be able to enjoy Sarasota and all it has to offer. In the mix of all the tourists, are individuals with disabilities able to partake in the same activities? What are the barriers that prevent someone from engaging in tourism and traveling? This led to researching more about the realm of accessible tourism.

I am now completing my 14-week capstone project on "OT's Role in Accessible Tourism". My overall mission is to promote independence, equity, and dignity for all tourists with disabilities. The primary area of focus is research, in which I conducted a research study on the perception and experiences of individuals with physical and/or sensory disabilities on accessible tourism. To do this, I designed a mixed-methods survey and distributed it to the public. Another component of the project placed focus on the accessibility of my hometown of Sarasota. I strived to advocate for increased accessible opportunities. One of my deliverables included creating a "tour book" of Sarasota County, highlighting accessible features for tourists with disabilities. I also created this website and blog space to share information and educational resources to the general public.

Please remember, this information is designed through personal research and should be used as supplemental information. I encourage you to also research legislation, destinations, and any other areas of accessible tourism prior to your trip. For any medical advice, contact your personal healthcare provider!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!