Business

For several years now, studies have been conducted in almost every area, but the area of disabled travelers. A number of reasons seem to account for this unfortunate reality. Traveling or seeking accommodation at a hotel for a person with disability may not necessarily be the easiest thing. The worrying thing is that estimates indicate that more than twenty four percent of the population will be disabled in the United States in the next twenty years. This study takes into account the study undertaken by Open Doors Organization with regard to the issue of traveling, for persons with disabilities.

Open Doors Organizations Definition of Disability
ODO took in the definition of disability that had been used at the time of the census in the United States in the year 2000 (Open Doors Organization, 2004). The definition was narrowed quite a bit, due to the wide nature of the scope. In particular, disability was restricted to permanent or physical limitation, a decision that locked out mental and emotional disorders. This definition was too narrow, because it did not take into consideration other kinds of disorders. For instance, there are several people who struggle with mental problems, and even with physical conditions, but who do not meet the six month criteria set out in the questionnaires. This is very limiting, because these groups are completely locked out of the research.

Research Analysis and Design
The research methodology and approach was quite effective, although it had its own limitations. It involved the use of various components to generate data the desired results. It aimed at estimating the expenses of persons with disabilities and the accommodation that would be necessary to get them to travel more. ODO made use of both questionnaires and telephone to collect and sample information (Open Doors Organization, 2004). This dual mode of data collection allowed for the possibility of a wider range of coverage. The study was limited to hotels and airlines (Open Doors Organization, 2004). However, this method of study possibly excluded a lot of disabled people, because the choice of the online method of research would not necessarily have been very effective if the particular definition is anything to go by. Few of such people would be online, or even be in a position to use the telephone.

A hybrid methodology is one that incorporates more than one method in carrying out a research. The advantage of this method is that while a single method focuses on only the approaches limited to it, a hybrid reduces those limitations by pooling of the strengths of each method. This is so particularly with regard to speed and accuracy of the data obtained. The method used in this in this study incorporated the use of online approach as well as the use of the telephone (Open Doors Organization, 2004). The advantage is that, where participants are unavailable online, they can be reached through the phone. This does not mean, however, that cases of people being unreachable are uncommon. Not all are able to use the telephone or even the internet.
 
With no previous experience in this area of study, the first step in carrying out a research would be to consult the previous research findings. The next step would be to seek the help of professionals in this area, and more importantly, seek audience with disabled groups representatives, who would in most cases be very willing to offer their help. Apparently, little was done before ODO in this regard. Just like ODO, my method makes use of experienced groups to come up with a more accurate report.

Some of the hotels to be included in the evaluation for adults with disabilities include the Hilton Hotel, Embassy Suites, Radisson, and the Holiday Inn. Some of the car rentals to be evaluated include Rent-A-Car, Avis Car Rental, and the Jurnii Car Rental. An example of a paired question in this case would be choosing between a hotel with a full time personal attendant and a hotel with an attendant who checks in every so often to see if you need anything, which would make you want to seek the services of the same hotel another time This question would be easily answered during a phone interview due to its straightforward nature. The advantage of using the phone for such interview over the use of the online survey is that it is possible to pick up the excitement or otherwise, of the interviewee. It is also possible for them to propose any other method that may not necessarily be taken care of online.

Conclusion
As already mentioned, the issue of disability is one that has not been very sufficiently dealt with. However, ODO made a big step in their attempt to do this. It is unfortunate that this issue, which is apparently getting broader by the day, seems so much ignored, with hotels as well as air standing ready to increase charges for disabled persons. A lot more should be done, by both the government and the various stakeholders, to ensure that the disabled get to enjoy the services that others enjoy, at no extra cost or pain.