Project Description:
Access Nashville is a project of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. The goal of Access Nashville is to gather and disseminate information about "accessibility- friendly" restaurants, entertainment attractions,and transportation services so that all customers can make informed choices about where to go in Nashville, Tennessee. (They do not assess ADA compliance) This information is organized by geographic location and linked to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau website on their "Accessible Nashville" page.
Access Nashville utilizes college students through a classroom service learning activity to gather "accessibility-friendly" information about area restaurants. After the accessibility training
students are required to survey a designated restaurant for homework. A rating Wow, Good, and Limited Access is given to each restaurant surveyed. This year the colleges participating in this project included Belmont University, Nashville State Community College, Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University with a total of 65 students this year.
Access Nashville has not only impacted community members with disabilities but also student volunteers and restaurant owners through an information-sharing process:
-Consumers who use wheelchairs can review the accessibility-friendly restaurant listing and make informed choices about where to go in the Nashville area.
- Student volunteers receive disability awareness and accessibility training combined with surveying a specific restaurant as a homework assignment. College students have given Access Nashville training a 100% satisfaction rating.
- Restaurant managers often inquire about accessibility in their restaurant. Access Nashville encourages all restaurants to be accessible and provides special certificates to those restaurants that have a Good Access or Wow Access rating and offer technical assistance to restaurants receiving a Limited Access rating.
In June, 2013, this accessibility service learning training project will transition to a community agency, Center for Independent Living in Middle TN, located in Nashville TN.
Summary of accomplishments made since 2008, while operated as a Vanderbilt Kennnedy Center UCEDD program.
* Over 800 college students received disability awareness and accessibility training at five area colleges. This training received 100% satisfaction rating.
* Over 500 Nashville restaurants were surveyed and given an accessibility rating of Wow, Good, or Limited Access. This information was posted on the Access Nashville and Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau websites. Other information on the website included accessibility ratings of entertainment attractions and transportation.
* In 2012 a replication guide was developed and in addition to upgraded website in 2013, a replication guide was developed and utilized in training with staff at disability organizations located in Knoxville, Sewanee, Lawrenceburg and Jackson TN with interest generated in St. Petersburg, Florida. In addition, Access Nashville training was utilized by online class on accessibility in Ohio.
* Access Nashville received several local awards over the years.
For further information about Access Nashville, contact the Center for Independent Living at 615.292.5803. The Access Nashville website is www.accessnashvilleonline.org
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Adults with Disabilities, General Public
