TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Debbie Austin

Let’s Celebrate! Topeka, Kansas Has Become the First U.S. City to Host a Disability Pride Parade

by

Miss Amazing, Kristianna Guerrero | Photo courtesy: www.cjonline.com

The first parade of its kind in the state! The Disabled and Proud Parade of Kansas hit the streets on Saturday, July 23rd. Spearheaded by Kirstianna Guerrero, founder of the Disabled and Proud Foundation of Kansas and winner of Miss Amazing 2020, the parade’s goals were simple: to unite and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the disabled community while also creating awareness, visibility and acceptance in the state of Kansas.

It is safe to say that the event reached its objective. With celebration the main theme of the day, community members joined the parade to march around the capital building, showing their disabilities off with pride. The celebration culminated in a gathering behind the building with food and more festivity.

Though it was the first parade of its kind in the state, it certainly won’t be the last. Guerrero plans to move forward in making this an annual event. The question now: what other advocacy efforts will she implement for the community’s enjoyment in the future? Read more.

Uber to Pay $2 Million and Refund Wait Time Fees to 65,000 Disabled Riders

by

The Department of Justice has ruled in favor of disabled passengers in the U.S following a recent lawsuit filed against Uber Technologies. Found to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the rideshare company will now pay more than $2 million and waive wait time fees for all certified disabled riders.

In addition to the waived wait time fees, Uber will pay $1,738,500 to more than 1,000 riders who made official complaints and $500,000 to others harmed by the actual practice of charged fees. Uber will also credit the accounts of more than 65,000 eligible riders.

Following the outcome, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated that this settlement is a “strong message that Uber and other ridesharing companies will be held accountable.” It’s a change in the right direction. Read the full article.

In Case You Missed It: USAE News Recap Coverage of EMS 2022 and Bonus Insert

by

Grant Broadhurst attended EMS 2022 and provided the following recap of the Emerging Markets Summit. Additionally, as part of our collaboration, USAE News published a 38-page bonus Accessibility In Travel Insert, with special content sponsors and partners. Read it here.

Movers and Shakers Turn out for the Grand Opening of The Schoolhouse Hotel

by

Charlie Hammerman, founder of The Schoolhouse Hotel (TSH), and Bruce Bowling, Mayor of White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia

The Schoolhouse Hotel is the perfect accommodation for those looking for an accessible stay while vacationing in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. As the newest hotel in that city, it brings with it the accolade of being the world’s first fully ADA-compliant hotel, ensuring comfortable stays for neurodivergent individuals including those with mobility issues, blindness, and deafness.

West Virginia State Senator Shelly Caputo welcomes the first all-inclusive hotel to White Sulfur Springs
Hammerman showing State Senator Shelly Caputo collapsing chairs
Unobstructed view from the rooftop of the Schoolhouse Hotel
Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism, plans to include TSH in its promotional efforts
Greenbrier County Senator Stephen Baldwin
Moore Capito – Schoolhouse attorney and West Virginia State Senator Shelly Caputo’s son
Official Unveiling: From R to L, Moore Capito, Charlie Hammerman, West Virginia State Senator Shelly Caputo, Senator Stephen Baldwin, Mayor Bruce Bowling, Senator Joe Manchin’s Aid, Mike Graney (Executive Director of WV Department of Economic Development)

Just Released: “Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities” Report by MMGY Global

by

According to the newly published “Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities” Mobility and Accessibility survey from MMGY Global, every industry should act now to better understand and meet the needs of individuals who use mobility aids and their traveling companions. This survey discovered that accessibility for lodging and transportation is the greatest barrier to travel for those with mobility issues. Nearly all respondents (96%) experienced a lodging problem on their most recent trip. 86% reported flight problems and 79% experienced transportation issues in their local market. In addition to these difficulties, 79% of respondents had in-market transportation problems and 86% had flight issues.

Across the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries, travelers with mobility issues should be granted the same experiences as those without. $58.2 billion is spent annually on travel by those with mobility disabilities. They take an average of 3.4 leisure trips in the past 12 months and spend an average of $3,546 on leisure travel.

Our take: While the results that over 80% of accessible hotel bathrooms are unusable for wheelchair users is hardly surprising (see our original article about hotel showers here), the fact that such a highly respected organization such as MMGY Global Intelligence, has added accessibility to their research portfolio, will add further validation and generate new attention from DMO’s and hotel companies. For more about this survey, read the MMGY Global article.