Discussion Boards

Projects

Opening the Doors to the Hospitality Industry

About the Presenter

Marian Vessels is Director of TransCen’s Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), also known as the DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. Serving in this role for the past twelve years, she has been responsible for the daily operation of the DBTAC, as well as acting as liaison with ADA and assistive technology coalitions in the six-state Mid-Atlantic Region (MD, VA, PA, DE, WV, DC). Among her primary areas of expertise are training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to employment, hospitality and public access issues. She is in considerable demand as a speaker and trainer.  

Prior to joining the TransCen staff, Ms. Vessels was the Executive Director of the Maryland Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities. She was a Senior Health Educator for the Baltimore City Health Department for nine years. She has served as an Executive Board Member for the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Parents’ Place of Maryland. Ms. Vessels also has had a gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council of which she was chair. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Towson University, and has received numerous awards for her commitment to disability issues and health education.