Special Needs Group's Industry-First Certified Accessible Travel Advocate Program Provides Unprecedented Success to Travel Professionals

DANIA BEACH, Fla., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Since Special Needs Group (http://www.specialneedsgroup.com) launched its industry-first Accessible Travel Advocate course in November 2011, over 425 travel professionals have achieved the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate™ designation, giving them a distinct advantage to tap into the accessible travel market - the fastest-growing segment in travel. The powerful online Accessible Travel Advocate course is the travel industry's first eLearning curriculum that allows travel professionals to become conversant with the accessible travel market segment through online study and testing.

This groundbreaking initiative is not only leading to a more accessible world, but also providing increased success for travel professionals.

Here's what travel professionals who have achieved the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate designation have to say about the course:

"With its Accessible Travel Advocate course and many other efforts, Special Needs Group is doing a tremendous job of making agents much more aware of the challenges that travelers with special needs face," said Roberta Schwartz, CTC, MCC, and co-owner of Imagine Your Vacations, a Cruise Planners/American Express franchise in Plantation, Fla. "The timing is right for this course. With Special Needs Group's credibility and promotion of the course, it has put the whole equation of the accessible travel market on travel professionals' radar." Schwartz is also an associate professor at The Hospitality College of Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Fla., as well as the past director of education for Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH).

"Special Needs Group's Accessible Travel Advocate course has allowed travel professionals to understand the potential of the accessible travel market, who that market is, and how to serve that market," said Charlie Funk, co-owner and president of Just Cruisin' Plus, who along with his wife Sherrie will be inducted into the "CLIA Hall of Fame" at the upcoming cruise3sixty event in Fort Lauderdale. "Travelers with special needs can now realize that there are go-to companies with accessible travel training that can answer their needs."

Highlights of SNG's Accessible Travel Advocate course are:

• Those who achieve the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate™ designation qualify for five CLIA Certification Credits.
• It is designed to provide industry professionals with a basic understanding of the size, scope and basic requirements of the accessible travel market, along with the most frequently used services, aids and products used by the consumers in this market.
• It gives direction to travel professionals regarding interpersonal and soft skills when dealing with the accessible travel market, aspects that many professionals find daunting when serving travelers with special needs.
• It offers exceptional, important information about the buying power of the accessible travel market, as well as the rights and privileges of that market, in its Module 1.

The one-hour, three-module program objectives focus on understanding accessible travel, building expertise in accessible travel and demonstrating accessible travel advocacy skills. These are critical subject matter areas for travel professionals if they wish to service the accessible travel market.

Special Needs Group's "Education Pays" promotion offers travel professionals who achieve or currently have their SNG Accessible Travel Advocate™ Certification the chance to win one of three "Thank You" prizes - the first prize being an Android Tablet. Visit http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/certification-program or Special Needs at Sea's Facebook page for more information about the promotion: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialNeedsGroupInc. 

Andrew J. Garnett, president and CEO of Special Needs Group, said, "By introducing this unprecedented course in November 2011, we are not only stimulating understanding among travel professionals of the importance to be conversant with the accessible travel market, but we are providing those professionals with unparalleled, specialized knowledge of how to best service travelers with special needs." 

For more information about the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate program, SNG Travel Agent Affiliate Program and the SNG Resource Center, please call 1-800-513-4515 or visit http://www.specialneedsgroup.com/agents.  

About Special Needs Group, Inc.

Special Needs Group, Inc. is the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals and other special needs equipment rentals. It also offers a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase. Recommended by the world's major cruise lines for superior service and value, Special Needs Group also services guests visiting hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers. Special Needs Group is the only mobility and oxygen equipment supplier that is approved to deliver to all major cruise lines.

Special Needs Group is the industry's only total special needs travel solution. It is located at 302 NW 1st Street, Dania Beach, FL 33004. For more information, visit http://www.specialneedsgroup.com or call 1-800-513-4515.

Media Contact:

Duree Ross
Duree & Company, Inc. 
Ph: 954-723-9350
[email protected]

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SOURCE Special Needs Group, Inc.