Visit Loudoun, The Arc of Loudoun Announce ‘You Belong Here’ Disability Training for Businesses

Leesburg, VA — May 17, 2024 — Visit Loudoun and The Arc of Loudoun have partnered to help hospitality businesses open their doors to a group that represents up to a quarter of all U.S. adults—people with disabilities.

The Arc of Loudoun’s “You Belong Here” Disability Awareness and Accessibility Training will help businesses and their staff realize, understand and address the barriers people with all types of disabilities may face when they try to shop, stay or work at those businesses, and help businesses understand how people with disabilities might look for when finding and choosing a place to visit, shop or work.

The program is launching thanks to grant funding from Visit Loudoun, the only organization solely dedicated to driving visitor demand for Loudoun County. Based on the latest data released by Virginia Tourism Corporation, Loudoun is the largest tourism spending generator in Virginia.

“Loudoun prides itself on being a welcoming destination to all and this program will allow our businesses to be more attuned to what it takes to truly be accommodating to everyone at their hotel, shop, restaurant or craft beverage destination,” Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson said. “This is a community-based solution to provide exceptional hospitality and I have no doubt our partners will leave with new tools and new insight into welcoming people of all abilities.”

“Even though the Centers for Disease Control reports up to a quarter of all adults in the U.S. have some type of disability—be it mobility, developmental, vision or something else—many people probably don’t think about the obstacles people with disabilities may face in their day-to-day lives,” The Arc of Loudoun CEO Lisa Max said. “The You Belong Here program is meant to help owners and employees understand what might be keeping people with disabilities from patronizing or applying to their business, and how to address those barriers.”

The training includes and goes beyond legal minimum standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act—standards that do not address accessibility for all people, and which may not fully meet the needs of others.

Loudoun businesses in the lodging, food and beverage, recreation, meetings and events, and travel industries can sign up now for free training customized for each industry sector, made possible through Visit Loudoun’s support. Participants who complete the training will also receive handy reference materials to take back to the workplace, along with a certificate of completion and “You Belong Here” window cling to distinguish themselves and show visitors their commitment to accessibility.

The training is offered by regional experts The Arc of Loudoun. Based in Leesburg, the nonprofit has long been a resource for people with disabilities, their families, and the people who care for, work with and serve them. The Arc of Loudoun’s programs range from community events like the recent Disability Resource & Employment Fair and upcoming iCan Bike camp, to free consultations through the ALLY Advocacy Center, and the Ability Fitness Center, Open Door Learning Center preschool, Aurora Behavior Clinic, and the Aurora School, which provides K-12 education for students from West Virginia to Washington, DC through partnerships with their home school districts.

“The You Belong Here program isn’t just the right thing to do—it helps businesses to both serve and employ a huge group of people,” Max said. “Now, we can help them realize and understand the barriers people with disabilities might face when shopping, staying or working at those businesses, and open their doors to many more people.”

Trainings will be offered through June 30, 2024. To sign up for more information visit thearcofloudoun.org/youbelonghere.