The Intersection of Travel and Disability
Information and inspiration from around the web.
Read HERE
Read HERE
Read HERE
Read HERE
In 2024, Wheel the World, a leading booking engine for accessible travel, provided insights into the most searched destinations over the past year. This data reflects the growing interest in accessible travel options and highlights the preferences of travelers seeking inclusive experiences.
Top 20 US Destinations
Analysis by Region
1. Diverse Destinations: The list features a mix of urban centers, beach destinations, and natural wonders. Cities like New York and Las Vegas are popular for their vibrant culture and entertainment, while places like Maui and Alaska attract those seeking natural beauty and adventure.
2. East Coast Dominance: The East Coast accounts for 35% of the top destinations searched, indicating a strong preference for major cities like New York, Miami, and Washington, DC. This could be attributed to the region’s rich history, cultural attractions, and accessible transportation options.
3. Significant Southern Appeal: The South also represents 25% of the top destinations, with Orlando and Miami leading the charge. This reflects the popularity of theme parks, beaches, and warm weather, making it a favored choice for families and vacationers.
4. West Coast Representation: The West Coast, with destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, captures 25% of the searches. This region is known for its diverse landscapes, entertainment, tech hubs, and cultural experiences, appealing to a wide range of travelers.
5. Hawaii and Alaska: The inclusion of Hawaii and Alaska highlights the interest in beach and natural outdoor options, catering to those seeking relaxation and adventure.
6. Midwest Underrepresentation: The Midwest only accounts for 5% of the top destinations searched, suggesting that travelers may prioritize coastal and urban experiences over the more rural and less densely populated areas of the Midwest.
Ross Calladine, Accessibility Inclusion Leader, Visit England. Revolutionizing Hospitality with Accessibility Tools for the Industry.
Ross has revolutionized the hospitality industry by creating a comprehensive online toolkit that is available for all travel-related businesses in England. His innovative resources empower establishments to enhance accessibility, ensuring inclusive experiences for all visitors, regardless of their needs. By fostering collaboration between businesses and accessibility experts, Calladine has set a new standard for hospitality that prioritizes inclusivity and customer satisfaction.
Harry Hastings, Co-CEO at Ocean Holidays. Pioneering Outbound Accessible Tourism to America.
Harry has significantly impacted the tourism sector with the groundbreaking Accessible Florida tour program in the UK. This initiative in it’s first year, attracted over 6000 passengers and generated over $17mn in revenue, showcasing the market’s potential for inbound accessible travel. Hastings’ commitment to promoting inclusiveness in tourism has inspired other companies to adopt similar programs including TUI, one of Europe’s three largest travel companies, which partnered with AccessAble to produce a detailed accessibility guide to 200 hotels.
Michele Erwin, Founder, All Wheels Up. An Early Champion of Wheelchairs on Flights.
Michele is a relentless advocate for seamless travel experiences for individuals with mobility challenges. Her tireless campaigns have successfully influenced major airlines, including Delta, to accommodate wheelchairs on flights, marking a critical step towards inclusivity in air travel. Erwin’s efforts have not only raised awareness about the barriers faced by travelers with disabilities but have also prompted significant policy changes within the aviation industry, paving the way for the prospect for wheelchairs in the main cabin and fewer in the repair shop.
Steve Nelson, Accessibility Diversity Program Manager, Alaska Airlines. Innovating Accessibility at Alaska Airlines
In 2024, Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in enhancing accessibility for passengers with diverse needs by orchestrating autism practice sessions across multiple cities as well as “Fly for All,” an app with Infiniteach that provides know-before-you-fly simulations. Additionally, Alaska Air has successfully implemented self-driving wheelchairs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), giving passengers a unique experience while addressing a solution to the shortage of airport wheelchair assistants.
Tami Reist, CEO of North Alabama Mountains and Lakes. Building Inclusive Tourism in North Alabama
Tami has been a strong advocate for inclusive tourism for many years. She has financially supported sensory training for hotels across 16 counties, which included practice overnight stays at the trained hotels. In 2025, her region will host a Familiarization (FAM) tour featuring 10 content creators with various disabilities, including Down Syndrome, mobility, visual and hearing impairments, and PTSD. This initiative will effectively demonstrate the region’s commitment to accessible tourism by creating itineraries tailored for visitors with diverse disabilities, thereby raising awareness about the importance of inclusivity in the hospitality industry.
Sophia Hyder Hock, Chief Inclusion Officer, Destinations International (DI). Leading the DMO Charge for Inclusive Travel.
Sophia Hyder Hock has played a crucial role in advancing accessibility as an essential component of social inclusion, representing the next evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. Under her leadership, (DI) has partnered with TravelAbility to develop The Accessibility Playbook, a comprehensive resource designed to empower their destination members with the essential tools and strategies to ensure that travel experiences are inclusive and accessible for all visitors, regardless of their abilities. Through her leadership, DI is not only enhancing the travel experience for individuals with diverse needs but also promoting a more equitable and inclusive tourism landscape for all. www.destinationsinternational.org
Gordon Hartman, Founder, Morgan’s Wonderland. Creating a World of Fun for All.
Gordon Hartman is the visionary founder of Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first Ultra Accessible™ theme park, which is located in San Antonio, TX, and is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities but built to be enjoyed by everyone. Featuring 25 Ultra-Accessible™ attractions, each of which is thoughtfully designed to ensure that individuals of all abilities can participate and enjoy the fun.
Recognizing the need for Ultra Accommodating™ hotel rooms or accommodations, Morgan’s will break ground in early 2025 on a 95-room hotel property that they believe will be the most accessible hotel in the world. Gordon Hartman is not only changing lives but also advocating for a more inclusive world where everyone can thrive. https://morgans.org/
Rick Hayduk/Rich Davies, Co-Founders, The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson, Clemson, SC.
Example of Inclusive Employment that also offers a solution for the workforce shortage in Hospitality. Rick and Rich have championed the concept of inclusive employment at The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson, which is leading the way in promoting inclusive employment practices within the hospitality industry. Under their leadership, the hotel has made a significant commitment to hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing them with meaningful job opportunities across a variety of positions. The collaborates with Clemson University’s LIFE program (an Inclusionary Post Secondary pogram for students with IDs), local organizations and community groups to raise awareness about the capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, challenging stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive society. Their efforts have inspired other hotels and businesses to consider similar practices, thereby expanding the impact of their work beyond the hotel itself. Two new Shepherd Hotels are set to open in late 2025, early 2026 (Columbia, SC and Rock Hill, SC).
Dr. Julian Maha, Founder, KultureCity. Passionate Advocate for Sensory Inclusion.
Ten years ago, Dr. Maha co-founded KultureCity, an organization dedicated to promoting sensory inclusion and improving accessibility for individuals with sensory processing needs. Recognizing the need for effective and affordable solutions, KultureCity pioneered a comprehensive sensory inclusion training program that has been successfully implemented in over 5000 locations across the United States, including all NBA arenas, NFL and MLB locations.By raising awareness about sensory processing disorders and the importance of inclusion, he has helped to create a more welcoming atmosphere for individuals with autism, ADHD, PTSD, and other sensory sensitivities.
Nicole Bergstrom, Senior Director at Hilton Hotels. A Committed voice for Accessibility at Hilton Hotels
Nicole has played a pivotal role in advancing accessibility advocacy within the hospitality industry. Nicole’s journey in accessibility began with her passionate leadership in digital accessibility, where she worked to ensure that Hilton’s online platforms and services are user-friendly for all guests, including those with disabilities. This led to the establishment of a groundbreaking partnership with BeMyEyes, an organization that connects blind and visually impaired individuals with volunteers through a mobile app. This collaboration aims to create accessible environments across all Hilton properties, ensuring that guests with visual impairments feel welcomed and accommodated during their stays.
Sophie Morgan, Accessibility Columnist, Conde Nast Traveler (UK).
Amplifying Disability Advocacy Through Media. Sophie Morgan is a prominent TV presenter and provocative disability advocate who has significantly raised awareness and visibility for individuals with disabilities through her engaging media presence and irreverence. As a correspondent during NBC’s unprecedented coverage of the Paris Paralympic Games, Sophie’s media recognition and fearlessness has drawn attention to the plight of wheelchair travelers everywhere. Just check out this post “ Pets Have More Rights on Flights Than We Have. www.sophiemorgan.com
Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Lead, Google Maps
Trailblazer in Accessibility at Google Maps. Sasha has played a pivotal role in transforming Maps into an indispensable tool for finding accessible places, transit and walking routes, and accessibility details for more than 50 million global businesses.
Each month we try to address various accessbility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community.
Image courtesy of Kristy Durso
January’s scenario: Is that service dog legit?
You have a hidden disability and are accompanied by Lester, an impossibly cute Golden Doodle that helps you regulate anxiety, moods, and medication needs. Lester is wearing a “Service Dog” vest. While the hotel registration process proceeds without incident, when you enter the restaurant for breakfast the hostess begins to interrogate you about the legitimacy of your service animal. What do you do? What do you say?
Answer:
Two questions can be asked to determine the legitimacy of a service animal:
Businesses may not.
Businesses can ask a customer to leave if:
A red flag for business owners is if somebody presents a certification. U.S. service dog handlers know that there is no national registry and there is no required certification.
“He helps me stay calm” is not a task. Service animals have specific tasks that they are trained to do. Without being able to provide the specific task the animal is trained to do, the business can ask the person to leave. It is important that these questions are asked. Verifying the legitimacy of a service dog through these questions and behavior helps protect real teams.” Kristy Durso
As a service dog owner, it may be helpful to carry Service Dog Law Cards, reminding others of your rights.
By Jake Steinman
These scenes showcase a vibrant convergence of innovative accessibility solutions, inspiring discussions, and diverse participants dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities.
Leveraging technology is crucial for improving accessibility in travel. Innovations such as:
Google Maps “Accessibility Routes”: This feature allows users to find routes that are wheelchair-friendly, making navigation easier for those with mobility challenges.
Jake Steinman
2. Enhanced Transportation Solutions
Transportation is a critical aspect of travel, and ensuring it is accessible for all is essential. Key solutions include:
3. Sensory-Friendly Destinations
4. Increasing Emphasis on Inclusive Design in Accommodations
The concept of universal design focuses on creating spaces that are accessible to everyone. Notable advancements include:
5. Virtual Pre-Travel Experiences. Utilizing virtual tools to prepare travelers for their journeys is becoming increasingly popular. Key offerings include:
6. Adaptive Outdoor Adventure Tourism
7. Personalized Travel Planning
8. Introducing the Universal Designed Beach
Enhancing beach experiences for all visitors is a growing focus. Key improvements include:
9. Enhanced Training & Service
10. Greater Representation in Media
The travel industry is making significant strides in enhancing accessibility through universal design, virtual tools, adventure tourism adaptations, personalized planning, improved beach access, enhanced training, and greater representation in media. These trends not only improve the travel experience for individuals with disabilities but also promote a more inclusive society where everyone can explore and enjoy the world around them.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!Your name and email will never be sold to third parties.
Your name and email will never be sold to 3rd parties.
You must be logged in to post a comment.