Understanding ATDW Accessibility Data in Roam

Making Sense of Accessibility Information

When it comes to accessibility information from the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), there's actually quite a wealth of data available – perhaps more than you might expect. However, not all of this information is created equal, and understanding what Roam imports and why can help you better manage your destination's accessibility content.

ATDW contains extensive accessibility information for tourism operators, but this data comes in different formats and levels of detail. Some information is generic and broad, while other data provides specific, actionable details that are genuinely useful for visitors with accessibility needs.

What Roam Imports vs. What We Don't

Generic Information (Not Imported)

Roam doesn't import broad, generic accessibility statements from ATDW (marked in red in the example below). These are typically general declarations that a business "provides accessibility" without specifying what type of accessibility features are actually available. While this information indicates good intentions, it doesn't give visitors the specific details they need to make informed decisions about whether a venue will meet their particular requirements.


 

Specific Accessibility Details (Imported)

What Roam does import is the detailed, specific accessibility information that addresses particular access needs (marked in green in the example above). This includes concrete details about:

• Physical accessibility features
• Specific accommodations available
• Detailed facility descriptions
• Particular services for different accessibility requirements

This targeted approach ensures that the accessibility information displayed on your Roam site is genuinely useful for visitors planning their experience.

In the example from ATDW website below, you'll notice it contains two types of accessibility information:

1. Generic accessibility statement – indicating that accessibility is considered
2. Specific accessibility information – detailing the particular accessibility features and accommodations available

Roam imports the latter, ensuring visitors receive actionable information rather than generic assurances.

The Information Box

You may have noticed that some accessibility information appears in a condensed format within information boxes on your Roam site. This isn't pulled directly from the ATDW description – it's carefully curated and hard-coded by our team to provide a concise summary that fits within smaller display areas.

This approach serves two important purposes:

• Space efficiency: Ensures critical accessibility information is visible even in compact layouts
• Clarity: Provides a quick, scannable overview without overwhelming the user interface

The full accessibility details remain available in the main listing description, while the information box offers an at-a-glance summary for quick reference.

Why This Approach Matters

By being selective about which accessibility information we import from ATDW, Roam ensures that your destination marketing site provides:

• Meaningful information that helps visitors make informed decisions
• Specific details rather than generic statements
• User-friendly presentation that works across different display contexts
• Reliable content that adds genuine value to the visitor experience

Getting the Most from Your Accessibility Content

To maximise the impact of accessibility information on your Roam site:

• Encourage operators to provide specific accessibility details in their ATDW listings
• Review imported content to ensure it aligns with your destination's accessibility goals
• Consider supplementing ATDW data with additional accessibility information where beneficial

Understanding how Roam handles ATDW accessibility data helps you better support visitors with diverse needs while maintaining a clean, informative user experience on your destination site.