By Jennifer Allen
As accessibility is growing in popularity, more and more destinations are eager to hop on the band wagon. In the excitement to be perceived as “accessible,” it’s important to remember that “accessibility” means very different things to different people. For example, a roll-in shower is not only not helpful to a traveler who is blind, it’s an added barrier. How is he to know where the shower entrance is if it’s level with the floor? Coming to terms with the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to accessibility may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Where do you even begin? Thankfully, this is where we can learn from others within the TravelAbility community. There’s always a trailblazer kickstarting new initiatives and helping us to see the world in a new way, and to create a welcome like never before.
Through Wheel the World, Discover The Palm Beaches hosted a Deaf FAM trip to welcome Renca and Dillon, two Deaf influencers. Erika Constantine, SVP Marketing for Discover The Palm Beaches, shared the experience in a recent interview. Joel Barish, co-founder of DeafNation also contributed his insights as a Deaf traveler.
How do you find talent who’s willing to work with you?
Constantine shared, “We worked with WTW to identify talent. Renca is a popular deaf-travel influencer whose content could really highlight the experiences through The Palm Beaches.”
There’s a wide community of disabled content creators who are ready to work with destinations, including those who are a part of the TravelAbility Creator Community. Joel Barish, for example, is a Deaf influencer who has traveled to 108+ countries and filmed over 4,000 videos documenting Deaf experiences worldwide. In addition to heading up one of the largest Deaf communities in the world, he reaches over 100,000 through social media.
The talent is easy to find and ready to help.
How do you prepare for a FAM tour for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
As Joel points out, “Destinations should understand that Deaf travelers are fully capable, independent travelers — we simply access information visually. Preparation is key.”
Constantine agreed. “Not all deaf travelers will be as savvy as Renca and Dillion, and training is key for frontline staff to recognize the needs of each traveler, in order to provide helpful assistance for all those who visit in the future.”
Joel highlights preparation as, “being ready for sign language access (whether through an interpreter, VRI, or local signers), ensuring visual communication tools are available, and understanding that clear pre-trip communication is essential.
It’s also important to recognize that sign languages are not universal. Each country has its own sign language, so thinking ahead about local resources makes a big difference. Most importantly, approach Deaf travelers with inclusion in mind, not as a special accommodation — accessibility should be integrated into the experience from the start.”
What about the logistics?
The Palm Beaches have so many accessible resorts, attractions, and outdoor activities, that the first step for their team was narrowing down what they could do during a three-day visit. “We wanted Renca and Dillon to experience a taste of what we have to offer all visitors,” Constantine shared. “We collaboratively reviewed appropriate locations with the Wheel The World creative team that would be visually exciting and tell the story of accessibility in The Palm Beaches.”
“We pitched several resorts,” Constantine shared, “and felt The Ben, Autograph Collection Hotel in downtown West Palm Beach would be a fitting homebase. Since The Ben was mapped by WTW, we knew it offered accommodations such as a visual phone and door and fire alarm signals for travelers with hearing needs. We chose several local attractions and restaurants where a member of the staff was available for sign language assistance, like The Norton Museum of Art and Loggerhead Marinelife Center, or provided printed guides, like the Jupiter Lighthouse and Mounts Botanical Gardens.
What are the greatest challenges facing Deaf travelers?
According to Joel, “The biggest obstacle is the lack of sign language content and visual accessibility. Many destinations promote inclusion but rarely include Deaf people in their storytelling or provide sign language information. Tourism videos, welcome briefings, guided tours, and safety instructions are often entirely audio-based.”
The Palm Beaches FAM trip didn’t encounter any major obstacles. “In some locations,” Constantine shared, “like restaurants that didn’t have a staff member who was familiar with sign language, Renca used her phone to type messages or translate conversations. This made communication smooth.”
Joel reminds us that overcoming barriers doesn’t have to be complicated. “Clear visual communication and a willingness to adapt go a long way. Inclusion is less about perfection and more about intention and collaboration.” He recommends things like “Offering flexible communication methods such as speech-to-text apps, written communication, VRI, or local interpreters,” and “Including sign language in promotional and informational content.”
What are the benefits for the destination?
In addition to extending marketing to the world’s 430 million people living with significant hearing loss, Constantine shared that, “It was truly meaningful to experience the genuine hospitality for which our destination is known through the eyes of travelers such as Renca and Dillon. Seeing the way the front-line staff of our attractions and resorts welcomed them made me feel a sense of pride in our destination and all Discover The Palm Beaches has done to highlight and encourage accessible travel.”
What else should people know before working with people who are deaf on a FAM tour?
It doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, Constantine shared that, “If you work with WTW and have your venues and attractions mapped, it will be easy to identify the locations that are accessible for all.” Just choose the places that you already know will work, and it will be seamless. Joel also highlighted the power of connecting visitors with local Deaf communities or signers.
- Find your talent,
- communicate to make sure you’re meeting their needs,
- highlight all you’ve already created to welcome them,
- share your story in a way that’s accessible to all,
- and reach your target audience.
Learn more about DeafNation or connect with Joel here: https://deafnation.com/
See the results from Discover The Palm Beaches’ FAM trip below!
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