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TravelAbility Partners with KultureCity to Enhance Sensory Inclusion in Travel
By Jake Steinman
Sensory travel is getting a whole lot easier, thanks to these strides through KultureCity
Sausalito, CA — TravelAbility is excited to announce a new partnership with KultureCity, a leader in sensory inclusion, to scale initiatives across the travel industry. This collaboration aims to create more inclusive environments for individuals with sensory processing challenges, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their travel experiences on any given calendar date.
“If we’re truly chasing an equitable and inclusive world for individuals with invisible disabilities, then sensory inclusive travel must be prioritized. At KultureCity, we want those who often go unseen to know that they belong and that nothing is off limits–certainly not a beach vacation with grandparents, an overnight staycation in a hotel or a cruise with friends and family. It ALL must be accommodating, and with our partnership with TravelAbility, we’re making huge steps to make that happen.” -Meg Raby of CultureCity
“If we’re truly chasing an equitable and inclusive world for individuals with invisible disabilities, then sensory inclusive travel must be prioritized.”
Meg Raby
KultureCity has made significant strides in promoting sensory inclusion, having trained over 5,000 locations, including all NFL stadiums, NBA arenas, Major League Baseball stadiums, and LEGO theme parks. Their proven track record demonstrates a commitment to creating welcoming spaces for individuals with sensory processing challenges and needs.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- Certification for Sensory Inclusion: Each location that undergoes KultureCity’s training receives a certificate once at least 50% of their consumer-facing workforce has passed a comprehensive exam. This certification signifies a commitment to sensory-friendly practices.
- Ongoing Audits: To ensure the effectiveness of the training, KultureCity sends “secret shoppers” to audit each location six months after the initial training. This process helps maintain high standards of sensory inclusion and provides valuable feedback for continuous improvement.
- Sensory Bags: As part of the training, each location receives five sensory bags designed to assist individuals with sensory processing challenges. These bags include tools and resources to help create a more comfortable environment for guests.
- Endorsements from Industry Leaders: Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility, has reached out to several locations that have successfully implemented KultureCity’s training. One notable endorsement comes from Allison George, who oversaw the KultureCity training for all seven Travel Oregon Welcome Centers. “You can’t go wrong with KultureCity,” she stated. “The sensory bags they provided to each welcome center was a great complement to their training highlighting the positive impact of their programs.
TravelAbility is committed to fostering an inclusive travel experience for all individuals, and this partnership with KultureCity is a significant step toward achieving that goal. By working together, we aim to set a new standard for sensory inclusion in the travel industry.
For more information about TravelAbility and our partnership with KultureCity, please contact Jake Steinman.
About TravelAbility
TravelAbility is dedicated to making travel accessible for everyone, focusing on innovative solutions and partnerships that enhance the travel experience for individuals with disabilities and sensory processing challenges.About KultureCity
KultureCity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sensory inclusion and acceptance. Through training and resources, KultureCity empowers businesses and organizations to create welcoming environments for individuals with sensory processing challenges and needs.
American Airlines Fined for Accessibility Failures
Accountability for airlines’ mistreatment of the disabled community is finally coming. American Airlines is leading the way as an example of what not to do. Read more about the $50 million fine, here.
Kissimmee’s New Partnership for Inclusion
Experience Kissimmee and Autism Travel Club Unite to Create an Inclusive Central Florida.
Kissimmee, FL, August 30, 2024 – Experience Kissimmee and Autism Travel Club (ATC) are excited to announce its new partnership to increase autism awareness and training and educate businesses in Central Florida. This collaboration aims to make the greater Kissimmee area a more welcoming and accessible destination, especially for visitors with autism and their families.
This partnership will harness the expertise of Autism Travel Club and the wide-reaching influence of Experience Kissimmee and will kick off with a series of ‘Level Up’ seminars led by Becky Large, CEO of ATC scheduled for September 25, 2024. She will share her extensive knowledge of the benefits of autism training and its positive impact on businesses. It’s an opportunity for businesses to level up and make a real difference in the community.
“Partnering with Autism Travel Club is a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in Central Florida. By integrating autism training for local businesses, we are working to ensure that Kissimmee becomes a more welcoming destination for visitors with autism and their families,” said Jason Holic, Sr. Vice President of Operations & Community Engagement from Experience Kissimmee. “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating a supportive environment for all.”
“Partnering with Autism Travel Club is a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in Central Florida.
Jason Holic
To further their commitment to the Autism Ready Destination initiative, the first 20 businesses to register for autism training will receive 50% reimbursement from Experience Kissimmee for the first year of training. Experience Kissimmee will also donate the first year of training access to several local organizations, including Kissimmee Gateway Airport and Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS. This is a significant step towards achieving an “Autism Ready” designation for the entire destination, demonstrating Kissimmee’s commitment to inclusivity.
Becky Large states, “This partnership is more than just a collaboration; it’s a celebration of shared values and a commitment to making Central Florida a place where everyone feels welcome. With Experience Kissimmee and Autism Travel Club leading the way, the future of Kissimmee looks brighter—and more inclusive—than ever!”
For more information, please visit www.experiencekissimmee.com and www.autismtravel.club.
About Experience Kissimmee:
Experience Kissimmee is the official tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida. Located at the heart of Central Florida, Kissimmee is 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO), minutes from world-famous theme parks and attractions, and nestled in carefully preserved outdoor spaces so visitors can reconnect with nature. Also known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee has sprawling resorts with thousands of options ranging from two-bedroom condominiums to 15-bedroom mansions. Learn more at experiencekissimmee.com
Media Contact:
Experience Kissimmee Public Relations
Media@experiencekissimmee.com
About Autism Travel Club
Autism Travel Club, a part of Lead with Love Training Co., is dedicated to spreading autism awareness and equipping
businesses with the tools needed to create welcoming spaces for individuals and families with autism. For more information: autismtravel.club
Contact:
Becky Large
CEO, Autism Travel Club
becky@autismtravel.club
609-744-0099
839 Surfside Drive, Suite 107
Surfside Beach, SC 29575
autismtravel.club
Accessibility Champion: Betty Siegel
Director, Office of Accessibility and VSA at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
By Jennifer Allen
Betty Siegel has gone beyond bringing the arts to the disabled to bringing people with disabilities to the arts.
Since its doors opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center has held as a core value that the arts are for everyone. Since joining the Kennedy Center in 1999, Betty Siegel has been ready to go beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act to the next level of inclusion.
“When I came on board, it wasn’t just about compliance,” she recalls. “It was about genuinely engaging with the disability community and adopting a more holistic approach.”
Siegel’s work as the Director of the Kennedy Center’s Office of Access/VSA reflects her dedication to providing arts for everyone. Under her leadership, the Center’s accessibility programs have become a model for arts institutions worldwide. “Our motto? ‘Eager to remove barriers and find solutions to challenges,'” she explains. For Siegel, this isn’t just a slogan but a daily mission. Whether it’s establishing policies, offering staff training, or reviewing renovation plans, her role touches every aspect of the Center’s work. The scope is vast: In 2024 alone, her team trained over 500 staff and reached over 3,000 individuals through consultations, presentations, and educational programs.
“Our motto? ‘Eager to remove barriers and find solutions to challenges'”
Betty Siegel
Despite these many accomplishments, Siegel acknowledges that the journey is ongoing. “The world of accessibility is constantly evolving,” she says. “Technology changes, expectations change, and we’re always adapting.” This adaptability keeps her and her team busy as they continue to explore the latest innovations and ensure they meet the diverse needs of audiences. One current focus is a research collaboration with Gallaudet University and the Smithsonian, aimed at applying next-generation assistive listening technologies—a project Siegel is particularly excited about.
One of her proudest achievements is the culture of inclusion that has been fostered at the Kennedy Center. “We’ve worked hard to ensure accessibility is integrated into every aspect of what we do,” she says. This proactive approach anticipates the needs of guests, creating spaces and performances that embrace people of all abilities.
Looking to the future, Siegel remains focused on pushing the envelope. In 2025, the Kennedy Center will host its annual Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference in Cleveland, bringing together over 950 cultural arts administrators and accessibility leaders. This gathering, along with ongoing projects like the assistive listening research and efforts to support emerging artists with disabilities, shows Siegel’s continued drive to make the arts accessible to all.
When asked who she follows for ideas and inspiration, Betty recommended the ADA National Network. “The webinars produced by the Great Lakes ADA Center are always interesting and informative.” She’s been impressed by both their helpful resources and their knowledgeable technical assistance staff.
Betty Siegel’s passion, leadership, and relentless pursuit of accessibility have expanded access to the arts, set a powerful example for others to follow, and have set her apart as a TravelAbility Accessibility Champion.
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