The Deli Is an Accessibility Verified™ Destination

Diversity, equity, inclusivity, and compassion are at the core of who we are at the Deli and across the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. We make ongoing efforts to prioritize them in our processes, policies, and decision-making to align our practices with our vision of who we want to be as a company. This shows up in so many different ways—in our hiring practices, in the training our staff receives, in our efforts to give back and show up for our community, and more. We’re focused on creating inclusive experiences, from helping our guests host accessible events to making sure everyone can find something to eat they’re excited about (low-carb, gluten-free, vegan … we’ve got you!). In short, we’re committed to welcoming all guests and facilitating inclusive experiences. 

So, when Destination Ann Arbor partnered with Wheel the World and invited the Deli to participate, we jumped at the chance to get a complimentary accessibility assessment—we were one of the first businesses to say yes to this effort!  

On a Roll with Wheel the World

If you’re not yet familiar with it, Wheel the World (WTW) is the world’s largest accessibility-focused travel community. WTW simplifies the planning process for travelers with disabilities, so they can “explore the world with confidence, ease, and joy.” Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?! 

WTW granted Ann Arbor “Destination Verified” status, which means that Washtenaw County has been evaluated and recognized for our accessible tourism offerings, ensuring inclusivity for travelers with physical, cognitive, and invisible disabilities. The Ann Arbor page on Wheel the World includes dozens of accessibility-verified entries for hotels, activities, and restaurants (including ours!). As Destination Ann Arbor explains: 

Whether you’re looking for wheelchair-friendly accommodations or sensory-friendly environments, you’ll find trusted, reliable resources to plan your visit. This milestone enhances our community’s reputation, opens new growth opportunities for local businesses, and creates a more inclusive visitor experience for all.

Accessibility Verification Is Wheely Great

Wheel the World does all of the work for accessibility assessments. Their team visits every location in person to measure, photograph, and validate accessibility details. That’s how they ensure that every listing reflects reality, not assumptions. Gathering detailed, accurate information on everything from surface types to restroom specifics and more takes only about an hour, and as WTW notes, “It’s not about compliance or ADA; it’s about sharing key information.” Their goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of each business, which allows potential guests to make informed decisions based on their specific needs. In WTW’s words, “Providing accurate accessibility information is the first step toward a more inclusive world.”

Every accessibility assessment includes employee access to Wheel the World Academy—a few leaders at the Deli have completed that training and certification program. It has helped equip our team with the right tools to welcome our guests with accessibility needs. As WTW says (and we couldn’t agree more), “Because travel should be possible for everyone—no exceptions.” 

Accessibility Information, Ramped Up

As you likely know, the Deli is located in a historic building, situated within a historic district, and we’ve expanded a lot over the years. That can bring challenges for the layout of our spaces, which is why it was extra important to us to go through this assessment—to ensure that we’re honoring history while also remaining accessible.

All of the Deli’s features that were reviewed in our accessibility assessment are documented in detail and appear on our profile on the Wheel the World website. This means potential guests can see everything from doorway width (40 inches) to interior turning space (more than 60 inches) to the slope of our entrance ramp (moderate) and so much more. And, we’re not the only Zingerman’s business in the guide; Zingerman’s Bakehouse is mentioned among the Accessible Food and Drink Spots!

Wheel the World also included us in their “Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Ann Arbor, Michigan.” It’s filled with details from WTW’s trained mappers and highlights a number of spots around Tree Town. We were honored to get a little shout-out in the Accessible Things to Do section:

You may be thinking, “shouldn’t this be in the food and dining section of this blog?” For any standard deli, that’d be true, but Zingerman’s Delicatessen is like a local landmark in Ann Arbor, so we just had to put it under some of the best things to do. Established in 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen has grown into a must-visit deli and market for both locals and visitors alike. They serve delicious, massive sandwiches made-to-order, have a cafe next door, and a market where you can buy unique goods like aged cheeses, estate-bottled olive oil, and much more. Don’t miss this spot during your visit!

So, while we’re thrilled to be recognized as an Accessibility Verified™ destination, we know it’s important to acknowledge that the road to accessibility doesn’t have an endpoint. We keep looking for ways to improve—like making recent improvements to our website to use accessible fonts, appropriate color contrast, and ensure it’s compatible with screen readers—and it means a lot to us that our partners at Destination Ann Arbor feel the same way. In fact, they created an Accessibility Roundtable to identify future opportunities for inclusive tourism that we’re participating in, too. We agree wholeheartedly with Sarah Miller, President and CEO, who said, “At Destination Ann Arbor, accessibility isn’t just a campaign. It’s a deeply rooted, community-powered commitment to inclusive tourism.” 

Ready to experience our commitment to accessibility for yourself?! Visit us!