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A BUILT-IN SUPPORT SYSTEM<br />
HIDDEN DISABILITIES<br />
SUNFLOWER PROGRAM<br />
As part of Visit <strong>Mesa</strong>’s on-going mission<br />
to ensure <strong>Mesa</strong>, Arizona is regarded as<br />
one of the nation’s most accessible travel<br />
destinations, the city is now offering the<br />
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. This globally<br />
recognized program has been hailed for<br />
supporting travelers with various needs<br />
as a way for them to secure additional<br />
support they may require while traveling.<br />
Developed and launched in the United<br />
Kingdom, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is now a recognized<br />
icon that accessible travelers can utilize to discreetly be<br />
identified as having a disability. Through identification by service<br />
representatives in the hospitality industry, visitors with disabilities<br />
can be assured they will be given attention and support during<br />
their journey.<br />
Visit <strong>Mesa</strong> distributes the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower<br />
complimentary lanyards and bracelets from their visitors’ center<br />
location (1 N. MacDonald, Downtown <strong>Mesa</strong>). When worn, the<br />
sunflower serves as a visual cue to trained visitor industry staff<br />
throughout <strong>Mesa</strong> who will then be able to recognize if that<br />
traveler, or traveler’s companion, would like additional support<br />
during their visit.<br />
In addition, guests can pick up their complimentary Hidden<br />
Disabilities Sunflower lanyards and bracelets at these participating<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong> locations:<br />
AIRA, GUIDED VISUAL<br />
INTERPRETATION SERVICES<br />
FOR VISITORS & RESIDENTS<br />
Visit <strong>Mesa</strong> and the City of <strong>Mesa</strong> launched a partnership with<br />
Aira, an on-demand visual interpretation service available to<br />
visually impaired visitors to <strong>Mesa</strong>, as well as residents. Aira is<br />
behind the new accessibility technology that serves people<br />
who are blind or have low vision. Prior to arrival, visitors<br />
can download the Aira app from their smart phone and get<br />
access to a trained Aira agent who can assist with trip<br />
planning. While in <strong>Mesa</strong>’s city limits, visitors can access the<br />
agent to guide them throughout public buildings, attractions,<br />
restaurants, hotels and more. Customers of Aira are referred<br />
to as explorers and this instant access to visual information<br />
at the touch of a button will enhance everyday efficiency,<br />
engagement, and independence.<br />
Aira’s visual interpretation services are currently available in<br />
all Starbucks and Target stores nationwide. As part of Visit<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong>’s commitment to accessibility, any guest living in or<br />
visiting <strong>Mesa</strong> who is blind or has low vision can use the Aira<br />
service free of charge while located within <strong>Mesa</strong> city limits.<br />
The service outside of <strong>Mesa</strong>’s borders is complimentary for<br />
up to five minutes and then fees apply. Both iOS and Android<br />
phones are supported.<br />
Visit <strong>Mesa</strong> helped establish the <strong>Mesa</strong> Regional Foundation for<br />
Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion to enhance and implement<br />
equity, diversity and inclusion for youth and adults within the<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong> community. The Foundation will support programs that<br />
expand upon accessibility throughout <strong>Mesa</strong> with a special<br />
emphasis on technology. Learn more at <strong>Mesa</strong>ADI.org.<br />
DESTINATION<br />
DOWNTOWN<br />
· Sheraton <strong>Mesa</strong> Hotel at<br />
Wrigleyville West<br />
· Holiday Inn & Suites<br />
Phoenix-<strong>Mesa</strong>/Chandler<br />
· Delta Hotels by Marriott<br />
Phoenix-<strong>Mesa</strong><br />
· DoubleTree by Hilton<br />
Phoenix <strong>Mesa</strong><br />
· <strong>Mesa</strong> Arts Center<br />
· i.d.e.a. Museum<br />
· Arizona Museum of<br />
Natural History<br />
· COPA Health<br />
Visit <strong>Mesa</strong> has developed an extensive online<br />
resource for travel planning to City Limitless ® . Visit<br />
Accessible<strong>Mesa</strong>.com for tips, tools, and in-market<br />
services. Watch for a series of 360-degree videos of our<br />
Certified Autism Centers and other notable venues in<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong> – available soon.<br />
GEOCACHING IN CITY LIMITLESS®<br />
FIND AND SEEK FUN FOR ALL AGES<br />
Visit <strong>Mesa</strong> has partnered with the experts at Geocaching HQ to bring<br />
visitors an incredible hide-and-seek travel quest throughout the city. Visit<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong>’s GeoTour was developed as a way to engage travelers on the autism<br />
spectrum and provide a fun way to explore all corners of the city on a<br />
quest for caches. Perfect for any visitor, the tour is a strategic collection<br />
of geocaches anchored at many of <strong>Mesa</strong>’s participating Certified Autism<br />
Centers and city parks. From outdoor adventurers to tech-lovers, the<br />
popularity of the sport is growing. <strong>Visitors</strong> that find at least 5 geocaches<br />
on Visit <strong>Mesa</strong>'s GeoTour can collect a special souvenir celebrating their<br />
adventure (see instructions on the app to receive your gift by mail)!<br />
Find all of the geocaches and you will earn the digital souvenir directly in the<br />
Geocaching app.<br />
There are few others more tapped into<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong>’s brew culture like Alexander Phillips.<br />
He holds dual roles at Grand Canyon<br />
Brewing as Director of Sales and Marketing<br />
and 12 West Brewing as part of the<br />
management and leadership team.<br />
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE<br />
MESA’S BREWERY SCENE?<br />
<strong>Mesa</strong> is poised to have more breweries<br />
on Main Street than most places<br />
have in their entire city. The brew<br />
scene is young and insanely vibrant,<br />
and it comes with trailblazers doing<br />
innovative and intriguing things.<br />
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD<br />
TO IN DOWNTOWN MESA?<br />
Level 1 Arcade Bar is building a huge<br />
center that’ll be an anchor for <strong>Mesa</strong>’s<br />
great food and drink places. I’m also<br />
looking forward to well-established<br />
Arizona breweries, like Pedal Haus and<br />
Goldwater, coming here.<br />
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT<br />
MESA?<br />
Its potential. This city is rapidly<br />
growing, but <strong>Mesa</strong> has a vision for<br />
its future, and it combines a sense of<br />
community with that vision.<br />
WHAT’S ONE THING ABOUT<br />
MESA MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE<br />
SURPRISED TO LEARN?<br />
The live music scene. Any good music<br />
that comes out of Arizona is probably<br />
coming out of <strong>Mesa</strong>.<br />
WHAT CAN A CRAFT BEER FAN<br />
EXPECT WHEN THEY VISIT MESA?<br />
They'll find what's on trend, like a<br />
solid IPA selection, plus great wheat<br />
and sour beers. And my boys at Cider<br />
Corps make incredible sours. There's<br />
a lot of flavor, character and art that<br />
goes into the beers here. There's a<br />
huge culinary component.<br />
As a member of the For the Love of <strong>Mesa</strong><br />
steering committee, Alexander is also<br />
helping guide <strong>Mesa</strong>’s destination promise<br />
to locals.<br />
ALEXANDER PHILLIPS<br />
12 WEST BREWING<br />
AND GRAND CANYON BREWING<br />
visitmesa.com