TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Eliana Satkin

Join us for the Only Assistive Technology Pitchfest Curated for the Travel Industry

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The InnovateABLE pitchfest will be held July 26th in recognition of ADA34 commemorating the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participating companies represent the cutting edge in accessible technology and innovations that can be introduced through the destination marketing channel. 

When: July 26th 

Where: Via Zoom ( a link will be sent upon receipt of your RSVP)

What: A 3 minute video pitch from the company with a 7 minute Q/A with a panel of judges
comprised of investors and travel industry professionals
Time: 10AM PDT- 12:30PM PDT

Reserve Your Spot Today! 

RSVP:   Space is Limited to the first 150 attendees

The Agenda (all times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

10-10:15 AMWelcome and Introduction to the Judges
10:15-10:25 AMRollz
10:26-10:36 AMGlidance
10:37- 10:47 AMWhimble
10:48-10:58 AMEmpower 360
10:59:00 AM-11:08 AMTrue Omni
11:09-11:19 AMBe My Eyes
11:20-11:30 AMWe Hear You (Hero Hinge)
11:31AM- 11:41 AMKulture City
11:42-11:53 AMContacta
11:54-12:04 PMSign Speak

To Learn More Visit our web-site and learn about our outstanding panel of Judges.

Travel Lane County Wins Prestigious Get in the Hearing Loop Award

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Delivering lost sounds directly to hearing devices is changing the way people experience Eugene, Cascades & Coast Region

Travel Lane County, known as the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, has been awarded the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 2024 Get in the Hearing Loop Award for its work installing hearing loops throughout Lane County. “We are thrilled to be recognized with this HLAA award,” shared Andy Vobora, Travel Lane County Vice President of Stakeholder Relations. “In 2021, we recognized Ginevra Ralph and Sue Pritchard with the Travel Lane County Community Leadership Award for their work implementing hearing loop technology at the John G. Shedd Institute for Arts and for working with the Loop Lane Committee to advocate for hearing loops in other locations. It inspired me to request funds to work with our hotel and attractions members and get more locations looped. With an additional grant from Travel Oregon, we’ve been able to loop 40 locations throughout Lane County.” Travel Lane County will receive this award in Phoenix, Arizona in June at the 2024 HLAA Conference. 

Hearing loops installed over the past year include:

  • 25 Hotels
  • 4 Performing Arts Venues
  • 4 Visitor Centers
  • 2 Retail/Restaurants
  • 5 Museums/Attractions

The Wildish Theater was the final loop project implemented with the Travel Oregon accessibility grant when work was completed in March 2024. Travel Lane County, the City of Springfield, the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC) and the Wildish Theater partnered to bring the project to life.”We are so excited that the Wildish Community Theater has a Hearing Loop,” said Theater Board President, Kelly Mason. 

“The Wildish Community Theater is well known for its high quality acoustics,” said Mike Eyster, SRDC President. Eyster went on to say, “The Hearing Loop will make the theater much more accessible to even more patrons. The Wildish is happy to be a destination that focuses on accessibility. The Theater couldn’t be more grateful for community partners that have a shared vision of inclusion and excellence and a commitment to making the Wildish a place that everyone can enjoy.” Mason and Eyster expressed appreciation for the generous donors that contributed to the Hearing Loop project. 

More About Hearing Loops

Travel Lane County is committed to welcoming all visitors to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region and ensuring they have a great Oregon experience. Hearing loss affects 48 million Americans – That’s 1 in 7 citizens that have this invisible disability. Hearing Loop systems allow customers with T-coil enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear conversations clearly by delivering the staff’s voice directly into the visitor’s hearing device. Staff are better able to welcome guests and ensure they receive all the important information they require. Learn more at Hearing Loss Association of America.A special thank you to Alan Antilla, owner of Hearing Support Solutions, for assessing and installing all of the hearing loop systems at the hotels and attractions Travel Lane County has worked with over the past year.

What the Founder and CEO of TravelAbility Just Doesn’t Get

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Jake Steinman shares the simplest, and most essential, missing piece in hotel accessibility in this Travel Weekly article. Read the article here, or get the gist with this rap version!

Hey, hotels, listen up, it’s time to take a stand,
Spent millions on compliance, now let’s lend a hand.
ADA’s in place, but there’s more to be done,
Add an accessibility page, make it number one.

You got the ramps, the lifts, the wide doorways,
But what about the info that truly paves the way?
Dimensions and details, post ’em online,
For travelers with disabilities, it’s a lifeline.

From compliant to welcoming, it’s not that hard,
Transparency’s the key, let down your guard.
Post the data, make it clear and bright,
For every guest in a wheelchair, make it right.

CDC says one in four got a disability,
But only 15% travel, that’s the reality.
Hotels, step up, make a change today,
Post the info online, show the way.

Heads in accessible beds, let’s make it known,
Hotels can be welcoming, let it be shown.
From compliance to care, it’s a simple move,
Let’s make every stay a welcoming groove.

Undiscovered America TV Features Episode on Accessibility

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Celebrating Accessibility Champions in Travel!

TravelAbility is thrilled to have contributed to the curation of destinations and experts featured in the Accessibility episode of Undiscovered America. This exciting episode will be broadcasted to 107 million households this week and will also be available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

A big congratulations to the following champions who have made inclusion and accessibility a fundamental principle of their work:

Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:Your dedication to creating a more inclusive future is truly inspiring!

Kevin Wright, VP Brand Stewardship Travel Oregon: Thank you for your commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access for all.

Alison Brooks,VP Destination Experience & Advocacy Visit Mesa : Your innovative approach to accessibility has made a significant impact.

Kristy Durso, Founder Incredible Memories Travel: Your advocacy for accessible travel is making a difference!

Learn More about Undiscovered America

What Would You Do to Manage an Autistic Child’s Meltdown?

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© 72soul | Dreamstime.com

We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new monthly series, “What Would You Do?” Each month, we’ll present a unique scenario and invite you to consider how you would handle it.

This Month’s Scenario: Managing an Autistic Child’s Meltdown

Imagine you’re the manager of an attraction, and suddenly, an autistic child experiences a meltdown that disrupts other guests that embarrasses their family. One of the guests asks you, as the manager of the facility: “Aren’t you going to do something about this?”

What Would You Do?

As part of our commitment to fostering understanding and empathy, we encourage you to share your insights and creative solutions. Let’s learn from each other and create a more accessible and supportive environment for all our visitors.

Here are answers from three perspectives:

Talia Salem, Content Strategist, Ritz Carlton division of Marriott

I’ve been in this situation many times with my child. The first thing I do is try to survive the meltdown and keep her and others safe. I ask other people to please give us some space because sometimes during meltdowns there’s a lot of kicking and flailing of limbs. Sometimes at theme parks and other places with lines people are too close and are often in our space, which makes them at striking distance during a meltdown. I try not to place too many demands on my child and work with her to calm her nervous system through rocking, music, compressions or whatever works at the time. Then if needed (as often people make rude comments) I explain that my daughter has autism and struggles with impulse control, waiting in lines or whatever the case is. I’ve been able have some good conversations with people on occasion. Often though people stare like I have 5 heads and honestly I hate that. But I’m getting better at ignoring the stares and focusing on what my child needs to be safe and get calm in the moment and try to meet a need like a quiet space some food a drink a movement break etc.

Bartocz Czajka, Strategist, lecturer, Special Education teacher

Parents usually are able to anticipate a meltdown. So the focus should be on preparation and not on the actual meltdown. If that happens (you obviously cannot think of everything 😉 just communicate to other guests about autism-related circumstances and always have a quiet room available for the person(s) involved to get through the crisis

Jennifer Allen,

I’m going to second Talia from the mom perspective! Please just give us a moment, and a bit of space, to sort ourselves out. Getting involved may only escalate things. For the establishment, it would be a GIFT if employees had a basic understanding of what was happening. That may even give them the ability to field any questions that are coming at us from other guests.