TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Eliana Satkin

The Elite 100: What Earned KultureCity a Spot Among Time Magazine’s Most Influential Leaders

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At Travelability, we are incredibly proud of our sensory training partner, KultureCity, as they continue to shatter barriers for the one in six individuals with sensory processing needs. This month, KultureCity has reached yet another historic milestone that solidifies its place as a global leader in social impact.

KultureCity as A Global Leader on the World Stage

Graphic announcing KultureCity as a 2026 TIME100 Companies Industry Leader in Social Good, featuring photos of KultureCity community initiatives and accessibility programs.

KultureCity has been named to the prestigious 2026 TIME100 Companies list, recognized specifically as a Social Good Industry Leader. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. This well-earned honor highlights their relentless pursuit of a world where everyone belongs, regardless of their sensory challenges. What started as a local movement in Birmingham, Alabama, is becoming a worldwide standard for accessibility. 

ABC uses 30% of This Newscast to Highlight KultureCity Impact

A recent ABC News feature showcased the deeply personal mission driving founders Dr. Julian Maha and Dr. Michele Kong. Inspired by their son Abram, the couple has transformed a “list of nevers” into a global movement that has already:

Building the Future of Accessibility

The highlight of this powerful ABC coverage wasn’t all that KultureCity has done, but what they’re about to do. Their most ambitious project yet is the transformation of an old steam plant in Birmingham into a place for higher education and what comes after. This $50 million initiative will feature the nation’s first technical school for individuals with sensory disabilities, providing a clear path from education to employment. While tuition hasn’t been determined, they guarantee that cost will never be a barrier to entry.

For the travel industry, KultureCity’s recognition and recent news coverage serve as a reminder that inclusion isn’t a goal: it’s constant growth. It seems that as their son Abram grows, so does the movement that his parents initiated. 

Congratulations, KultureCity. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Join us at the 2026 TravelAbility Summit to connect with KultureCity founder, Dr. Julian Maha, and learn from his experiences shaping the industry. View the preliminary agenda here.

Check out Time100’s Most Influential Social Good Companies of 2026

Why Vision 2030? These Shareable Images Highlight the Significance of the Accessibility Moonshot

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TravelAbility has created a powerful set of infographics designed to spotlight the urgent need for accessibility by 2030, when more than 30 million Americans over age 65 will be living with a disability.

These visually compelling, easy-to-share graphics are available as a free resource, making it simple to spark meaningful conversations with partners and stakeholders. Use them to clearly communicate the growing demand and the undeniable business case for accessibility.

Learn More About the Accessibility Moonshot

Download Infographics Here

Infographic: ‘Who Will Be Impacted by Disability in 2030?’ 30M people 65+ living with a disability; 33M household partners; 225M immediate family; total 288M lives connected.
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Why Vision 2030—The Accessibility Moonshot?’ Demographics: $1.2M avg net worth; boomers hold 50% of U.S. wealth; 72% retired; 40% of Americans 65+ will live with a disability. Travel data: 44% multigenerational trips; 57% of parents plan trips with grandparents/children; 18% parties need accessibility; 30k monthly cruise accessibility requests; $75M accessible luxury sold in 2025; 70% plan to travel this year. Fun facts: Japan produces more adult than child diapers; by 2030, 23% of the U.S. population will be 65+.
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One for the Books: Route 66: An Accessible Guide to America’s Most Iconic Road Trip

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Book cover for *Route 66: An Accessible Guide to America’s Most Iconic Road Trip* by Amy Tarpein featuring a colorful Route 66 mural and the subtitle “Traveling Route 66 With Confidence, Dignity, and Inclusion.” The article highlights the bestselling guide’s practical accessibility tips, family travel insights, and lived-experience recommendations for inclusive road trips along Route 66.

Amy Tarpein, from TravelAbility’s Influencer Project, has another best seller.

Amy Tarpein’s new book, Route 66: An Accessible Guide to America’s Most Iconic Road Trip, was an Amazon bestseller right from the start. As mom to Elijah of Elijah’s Baby Bucketlist, Amy chose Route 66 as his Make A Wish trip in 2022. They did a two week road trip, but they’ve been back twice since. This guide was born out of experience and necessity. 

Amy traveled Route 66 with her four children including her medically complex son, Elijah, documenting what worked, what didn’t, and what every family deserves to know before setting out.

Route 66: An Accessible Guide to America’s Most Iconic Road Trip is reshaping how families all over the world plan their Mother Road adventures. Written by award‑winning accessible travel writer and international bestselling author Amy Tarpein, this guide is the first of its kind created from real lived-experience.

Amy traveled Route 66 with her four children including her medically complex son, Elijah, documenting what worked, what didn’t, and what every family deserves to know before setting out. The result is a warm, practical, deeply human resource that blends storytelling with actionable tools.

Inside the book, readers will find:

  • Step‑free routes and mobility considerations
  • Sensory notes and family‑tested recommendations
  • Tips for traveling with medical equipment
  • Strategies for multi‑generational trips
  • Interactive reflective sections at the end of each chapter
  • Practical checklists and curated resources to support planning

The book’s impact has already reached far beyond the United States. Readers from Singapore to Australia and across the country have shared that they purchased the guide and are now planning their own Route 66 journeys with confidence. It is also a bestseller on Amazon. It is available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold.

Buy Here

This is more than a travel book. It is an invitation for families of all ages and abilities to experience the history, joy, and freedom of America’s most iconic road trip in a way that feels welcoming, informed, and accessible. 

“When we make travel accessible, we make room for more stories, more memories, and more magic.” Amy Tarpein

Lived Experience: How Downs & Towns Is Leading Accessible Travel Through Disability Storytelling

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Houston and Katie of Downs & Towns have been a part of the TravelAbility community from the start. Houston, an award-winning photographer with Down Syndrome, was shot into social media fame when his sisters created an ironic TikTok video in response to the idea that people with Down Syndrome can’t achieve much. Now, as an influencer with over 7 million likes on TikTok alone, Houston and his mom, Katie travel the world capturing destinations, creating art, and raising disability awareness.

“If you want to work with us, we want to work with you,” is their campaign motto because if you’re looking to encourage travelers with disabilities they want to help you in your mission.

@DownsAndTowns

Travel Photographer

ART. ADVENTURE. ADVOCACY.

Photographer with Down syndrome traveling the world | Nikon Creator | GAMUT Talent

Total followers across platforms: 400,000

Houston and Katie have made connection after connection through TravelAbility, helping destinations with authentic storytelling. Over the past year, they’ve gone from one trip to the next. Katie didn’t want to be so bold as to say destinations need them, but she admitted that, “we can truly, authentically showcase what it is that’s working in a way that no one else can.”

“Several places have really enjoyed being able to showcase work that is from somebody else who sees the world differently. Also, the fact that we’re there, interacting with the destinations, gives us the ability to answer questions. We can provide input. We can share our experiences with them to help them grow in access and inclusion as a destination.”

Check out this recent example from their work with Tennessee State Parks. 

Houston was the first ever disabled artist-in-residence for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and was recently featured in Artists in Parks, with his photo on the magazine cover.

With content from all 50 states and 32 countries, the accolades for Downs and Towns are never ending. Their passion remains to help any destination with a heart for accessibility and inclusion.

A Note for Creators:

Katie and Houston shared that a lot of their opportunities have come through working with TravelAbility.

“TravelAbility is just kind of everywhere, and the relationships are everywhere,” Katie highlighted.” In all of their experiences, they’ve never found a community like TravelAbility for finding like-minded destinations and building authentic community. This is a great place to start for anyone looking to make a difference.

If you’re a creator making accessible travel content and would like to join our community of disabled content creators, fill out the form below.

Join the Creator Community

Practical Hacks From the Accessibility Playbook: Welcoming the Ageing Traveler

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Seven years in the making, the Accessibility Playbook, created in partnership with Destinations International, is an end-to-end toolkit to equip destination organizations on their accessibility journey, enabling them to better welcome and accommodate people with disabilities within their destination. The following snippet focuses on welcoming the aging traveler, an ever growing need as the Baby Boomer generation ages into disability.

WELCOMING THE AGING TRAVELER

The needs of the aging traveler are often similar to those of disabled travelers, but older adults may be less likely to ask for assistance. Many do not see themselves as having a disability. To better support the needs of aging travelers, keep the following in mind: 

  • Design for dignity: Move away from one-size- fits-all experiences that prepare travelers for success. Encourage planning ahead, suggest shorter, well-planned itineraries that reduce stress, and promote services such as airport “meet-and-assist” programs.
  • Recognize diverse needs: Consider mobility, hearing, cognitive, and visual changes that may arise with age, even among those not identifying as disabled.
  • Prioritize respectful communication: Train staff to offer assistance without making assumptions and to recognize signs of anxiety or confusion.
  • Be transparent about accessibility: Clearly communicate which features are available and use visible signage and intuitive wayfinding.
  • Offer simple, supportive tools: Ensure digital tools are user-friendly and secure. Provide low-tech options and human assistance to ease tech-related hesitation.
  • Focus on empowerment, not special treatment: Accommodations that are simple and thoughtful improve satisfaction and reputation.
ObstacleSolutions
Unclear accessibility information makes older adults less likely to travel.Provide clear, detailed information about accessibility (steps, elevators, seats, bathrooms)
Uncertainty about airport help deters some from flying altogether.Provide information on the time it takes to travel from check-in to the gate at the airport, as well as the services available.
Uncertainty about refunds makesbooking in advance a risk.Provide cost comparisons across platforms and clear, easily accessible cancellation/refund policies
App-centric booking can be a barrier for older adults who prefer websites.Provide user-friendly interfaces with simple navigation and clearinstructions on where to click and book.
Aversion to technology due to concerns about scams and data breaches.Provide education about online safety, clear fraud safeguards, andphone support
Challenges using online platforms tobook transportation and activities.Develop and promote curated travel experiences tailored to theirpreferences and needs
Difficulty finding hotels that matchspecific needs and preferences.Provide enhanced search and filter options (pet-friendly, ground-floor room, grab bars in bathrooms)
Learn More about the Playbook

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