W. C. Duke Clients

Corporate clients using Opening Doors® to climb the ladder to success:

Clients for custom programs include ...

Photo: Paul Duke with Harrah's executive American Airlines
American Express
Denny’s
Embassy Suites
Hampton Inns
Harrah’s Entertainment
Holiday Inns
John Q. Hammons Hotels
Long John Silver’s
Shell Oil
Six Continents Hotels
Texaco
and a large central Florida entertainment complex having 4 theme parks, multiple resorts,merchandising, and cruise ships.

Above:Rob Connally, a Harrah's executive, presents
a certificate of appreciation to Paul Duke,
one of the founders of the Opening Doors® program.

Left: American Express introduced us to new clients through their Diverse Business Partnership Program.Center: Alvenia Rhea Albright, formerly of American Express, and executives from the National Dental Association at a disability luncheon American Express hosted for their business partners.

Clients using generic programs include .....

AmeriSuites
Freedom Communications
Illinois Department of of Rehabilitation
Microtel Inns & Suites
Mid-Michigan Regional Medical Center
New Mexico Governor's Committee on the Concerns of the Handicapped
Prime Hospitality Corporation
Stone Mountain Park
U. S. Franchise Systems, Inc.
University of Alabama
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Wellsley Inns
Windsor Capital Group

Here's what our clients and the community of persons with disabilities
think about our programs.

EXECUTIVES

Employee trying to figure out American Sign Language. I am convinced that the business and disability communities can build alliances and make the promises of the ADA a reality. Your work in this area is advancing the effort.

Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., Assistant Attorney General, U. S. Department of Justice

Opening Doors® teaches good hospitality, knowing how to take care of guests no matter what their needs are. Your program encourages employee initiative to provide guests with the quality customer service they deserve.

Lou Weckstein, President, John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc.

Above: A John Q. Hammons manager learns the finer skill of communicating with guests having hearing impairments, and discovers one of his employees knows American Sign Language.

This program represents an important change from the typical ADA seminar..."do these things to stay out of trouble." Opening Doors® was the highest rated workshop at our annual human resources conference.

Mark Ernst, Vice President Human Resources, Autobytel.com

The program has been well-received by employees. They appreciate having knowledge they haven't had. A lot of employees just have a natural fear of dealing with people with disabilities. This program removes a lot of that fear. It has been highly successful.

Don Elkington, Former Manager of Leadership Development, Promus Hotels, Corp.

We believe the existence of this program has already had the effect of discouraging numerous ADA claims. ... I am certain that Long John Silver's, Inc. will avoid significant legal exposure by virtue of having the program as well as the goodwill the existence of the program will create.

Whayne M. Hougland, Vice President Human Resources Solutions Division, Dispute Resolution

Never has a training program received such high marks by our employees.

Clyde E. Culp, Former Chief Executive Officer, Long John Silver's Restaurants. Inc.

MANAGEMENT

Your Opening Doors program should be a basic training program for all hotels. Our employees, from housekeeping to managers, praised your practical approach. When the entire hotel staff is enthusiastic about a training program, then you have developed an innovative product!

Hotel Manager, Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Finally I have a guest-service training video specifically for the hospitality field that is from the view point of customers having disabilities.

Human Resources Director, Orlando, FL Doubletree Guest Suites

DISABILITY LEADERS

Your program is excellent and very much needed. Too often people do not think. Your program covers much of what needs to be said. Changing the way people think and treat others is an on-going process.

Vice President, Communications, National Easter Seal Society

Your video and activity book should be required for not just hotel employees, but for the general public as well. It shows that with minimal effort, people with disabilities can be easily accommodated and served.

Executive Director, Center on Deafness