TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

John Morris

Accessible Landing Page of the Month: Travel Oregon

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Travel Oregon logo.

Travel Oregon has released a new accessible travel landing page to introduce the state to disabled visitors. The page features information on disability-friendly attractions, including accessible trails and Oregon parks with ADA facilities.

Visitors to the landing page can watch an episode of Travel Oregon’s “Grant’s Getaways” dedicated to accessible travel, which explores the challenges and opportunities through the eyes of a wheelchair user who lives and works in the state.

What we Loved about this Landing Page: It highlights many of Oregon’s most incredible outdoor adventures and provides information on how those can also be enjoyed by visitors with different types of disabilities.  

What Could be Added: Accessible Resources: Accessible airport transfer options, medical equipment repair/rentals and a pop-up box that allows visitors (and locals) to add other accessible suppliers that may not be included. 

To check out this featured landing page, visit the Travel Oregon website. Also be sure to check-out the Oregon destination page on the TravelAbility website.

Hearing Loops Explained

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As organizations looks to improve accessibility for disabled people, one option that is often overlooked is the installation of a hearing loop. Audio induction loop systems, more commonly referred to as hearing loops, are an assistive listening technology that broadcasts sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants through an invisible baseband audio frequency current. A loop of cable placed around the designated area sets the boundary for the accessible sound.

The following YouTube video, produced by the City of Eugene, Oregon’s Cultural Services division, explains how hearing loops have contributed to an improvement in accessibility at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts.

In the video, Alito Alessi, co-founder of DanceAbility International, says that “Hearing loops to hearing aids are like a ramp to a wheelchair – both provide total accessibility to the person either in the chair or with the loop and the hearing aids.”

Indeed, hearing loops are an accessibility feature that can dramatically improve the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people, whether installed in a performance theater or in a restaurant or bar.

Accessible Art Exhibit Opens in Ohio

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Artwork hanging in gallery that was produced by disabled artists.

Accessible Expressions Ohio, founded in 1996, is a statewide art exhibition in Ohio that showcases work by artists with disabilities from around the state.

The pieces are shown at various locations throughout the state of Ohio as part of a touring exhibit and feature the works arranged in three categories: youth, emerging and professional artists.

Artwork shown during the tour is available for purchase through Art Possible Ohio. The organization “seeks to professionalize works of artists with disabilities through this highly regarded exhibit,” said Artists’ Open Studio managing director Jackie Hug.

To learn more about this unique art exhibit that celebrates diversity, read this article in the Sandusky Register.

Blind Ambition: Helen Keller Joins Mattel’s Inspiring Women Line

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Helen Keller Barbie doll.

Popular children’s toy brand Mattel recently announced a new addition to its Inspiring Women line of Barbie brand dolls: Helen Keller.

The company says Helen Keller is an inspiring role model for children, and her lifetime achievements make her worthy of being honored alongside the other women who are memorialized in the Inspiring Women line of dolls. Those women include Dr. Maya Angelou, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, Freda Kahlo, Billie Jean King, Florence Nightingale, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt and Sally Ride.

Mattel partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to ensure accuracy and accessibility for the blind and low vision community.

To read more about the new Helen Keller Barbie doll, read this article on the ArkLaTex homepage.

Red Roof Inns Promotion Raises Funds and Awareness for Canine Companions

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  • Canine Companions service dog with wheelchair user.
  • Red Roof Room in Your Hear logo.

In a press release, Red Roof Inns announced a partnership with Canine Companions, an organization that promotes the independence of children, adults and veterans with disabilities through professionally trained service dogs.

The company’s “Room in Your Heart” campaign offers 15% discounts at participating properties for those who travel this summer. Marina McDonald, Red Roof’s Chief Marketing Officer, said “This summer, our guests can travel with their pets and contribute to the continued success of helping connect people with disabilities and service dogs.”

As part of the Room in Your Heart program, travelers who book and complete their stay between June 1 and July 31, 2021 using VP Code 628474, will get a 15% discount at participating hotels and 5% of each stay’s revenue will be donated to Canine Companions. To learn more, read the company’s official press release. Took book a stay, visit the Red Roof website and be sure to use VP Code 628474.