Accessibility isn’t a niche – it’s the new standard. At last year’s TravelAbility Summit, Josh Loebner gave a talk on how what was once seen as a compliance checkbox is now a creative frontier. From fast food to fine dining, Super Bowl ads to global travel, accessibility is shaping the way the world connects.
Clients like Coca-Cola and Ford are proving that inclusive design is central to modern branding. This session dives into why accessibility matters to everyone—and how it’s becoming the gold standard across industries.
Watch the video and dive into the summary below! For more insights like this, join us in Central Oregon for the 2025 TravelAbility Summit from October 13th to October 15th at the Sunriver Resort. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, meet accessible travel influencers, and stay up to date on new innovations in assistive technology for the travel industry.
Summary
- 🎙️ Introduction and Personal Background
Josh Loebner shares his 20-year journey in advertising, his PhD focus on disability inclusion, and his leadership at VML as the Global Head of Inclusive Design.
Watch here - 🏆 Creative Accessibility in Advertising
Accessibility is shifting from compliance to creativity. VML’s initiatives, like winning the Grand Prix Lion, illustrate how design can be both imaginative and inclusive.
Watch here - 🌍 VML’s Global Reach and Clients
VML is a vast global agency with 30,000 employees and notable clients such as Ford, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, all integrating accessibility into diverse brand strategies.
Watch here - 📈 Accessibility Goes Mainstream
Search trends and public interest in accessibility are on the rise. It’s now seen as relevant to everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Watch here - 🧏 Captioning for All
Captioning is widely used, even by those without hearing loss, enriching media experiences through creative and nuanced text.
Watch here - 🍔 Accessible Advertising Examples
Wendy’s global campaigns are cited as inclusive. Accessibility is considered at all touchpoints, including fast food and fine dining experiences.
Watch here - 🚗 Accessibility in Travel and Public Spaces
The video explores how accessibility is integrated across travel experiences—from airports to local venues—highlighting thoughtful design.
Watch here - 🏪 Retail Accessibility
Retail giants like Walmart and Target now have accessibility centers and leads, showing industry-wide commitment to inclusion.
Watch here - 📱 Innovative Scenic Audio App
A powerful example involving a Scenic audio app for blind users uses AI and generative tools to create immersive travel experiences.
Watch here - 🔮 Future of AI and Accessibility
VML aims to make all ads accessible by 2025 using AI for audio descriptions and captions—blending tech and inclusion.
Watch here
Insights Based on Numbers
- 🌐 30,000 Employees at VML: Emphasizes the scale and global capability of the agency.
- 📊 Rising Google Trends: The year-over-year growth in accessibility-related searches shows societal shifts.
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