TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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Travel and Leisure Shares how Blind Travelers See the World in Ways Beyond the Visual

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Travel and Leisure Shares how Blind Travelers See the World in Ways Beyond the Visual

Why do blind people travel when they can never “see the world?” Travel and Leisure takes a deep dive into that question, uncovering how travel is so much more than meets the eye. Perhaps the sighted traveler is missing out on more than the blind traveler who travels deeper into the culture, stories, and people that really differentiate one place from another. This article is worth a read for all travelers who are ready to see the world more clearly.

What if You Could Touch a Sunset?

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By Ted Tahquechi of Blind Travels 

Last year, Blind Travels partnered with Redline Contemporary Art center of Denver and The Andy Warhol Foundation for visual art to develop a process that takes photographs and extracts the luminosity values and textures, then creates a 3d printable tactile print. This is not only great for the blind and low vision community, but has also been well received by the colorblind community and those who are on the autism scale, for their touch and audio features. The project was launched at the National Federation of the Blind national convention last year to rave reviews. 

Disabled Art is now working with galleries, museums and even the VA. Their goal is to make art accessible to those who can’t see and to try to shift the mentality for accessible art to one that is considered in the creation of an exhibition rather than as an afterthought. Each piece has the traditionally framed photograph, the tactile (touchable) print, and a plaque with a braille label and tactile scannable QR code. Scanning the QR code gives an audio description of the original photo, then walks the viewer through the features of the tactile print. This gives the viewer all the context they need for what they are feeling, and delivers a true multi sensory experience.  

Find out more at https://www.disabledart.com/.

The sun sets behind a red rock formation in the desert. Everything from the puffy clouds to the scattered bushes are aglow with the warm touch of the sun.
The same photo of the sun setting behind a rock formation in the desert. This one is in black and white and clearly shows the textured tactile version.

What Would You Do? 

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Each month we try to address various accessibility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community. 

What Would You Do:  You’re a restaurant that received a call asking if you were accessible for wheelchairs. The party was told yes, but when the party arrived they found one step to get into the restaurant. What would you do?

Here’s what our community had to say…

Kim Molnar | Director of Tourism Prineville, Oregon

First thing I would do is sincerely apologize for the mistake and offer assistance.  If they choose to stay, I would also comp a portion of the meal. I would then make it a priority to fix the accessibility barriers and train the staff on giving proper information to future guests when asked if our property is accessible. If I had the guests’ contact info, I would follow up with any positive changes we had made. 

Pekka Paavonperä | Public Relations Consultancy owner and Accessibility Advocate

I would have purchased a ramp when I opened the restaurant. 

Marcia Frost | Wheelchair Accessible TV Travel Expert

I had this situation not long ago. The restaurant was wheelchair accessible in the sense there were no stairs inside or out. The problem was that the tables were all tightly fit together. They had to have a dozen customers get up and move tables and chairs to get me into a table! Then, they did the same when I left. It was quite embarrassing and I felt bad for the people who had to interrupt their meals.

The restaurant told me when I was leaving to call next time and ask for a table to be set up by the bar – right next to the front door. I have not been back.

Key Takeaways:

  • Make sure your staff no how to answer any questions on accessibility
  • Keep accessibility information up front on your website to avoid any uncomfortable accidents
  • If it’s only a few steps, consider purchasing a portable ramp
  • Have a plan to make it right

Best Practices Travel Accessibility Page of the Month: Discover Lancaster

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Here’s what sets Discover Lancaster apart when it comes to accessible landing pages…

TravelAbility’s Accessibility Playbook provides a basic guide for building an accessibility landing page that welcomes all to discover your destination. Discover Lancaster’s website is entering the advanced level because of its extensive listing of all types of attractions and resources. They’ve done a great job of working with their partners to build a platform of information on anything a disabled traveler could be looking for. Here’s how they measure up:

Creating an Accessible Landing Page: A Three-Level Guide

LevelKey ElementsDetails
LEVEL ONE: BASICStatement
✔️		“We are pleased to welcome visitors of all abilities. This page features a variety of accessible attractions, museums, recreational activities, and hotels to help visitors and local residents with disabilities discover what they can do in [Destination].”
Things to Do✔️Identify accessible attractions and experiences, and provide direct links to their accessibility pages.
Hotels & Lodging✔️List accessible hotels, highlight hotels with pool lifts exceeding ADA requirements, and survey hotels for detailed accessibility info. If partnering with Wheel the World, link directly to their booking page.
Additional Resources✔️Build an accessible itinerary with state/provincial/national stakeholders, and include links to relevant articles and media coverage.
Transportation✔️Link to accessibility pages for airports, public transportation, taxis & van services, and car rentals.
Medical Supplies & ServicesProvide links for wheelchair/scooter rentals and medical equipment rentals (Hoyer lifts, shower chairs, etc.).
LEVEL TWO: INTERMEDIATERecreation✔️Provide accessibility links for nearby parks, hiking trails, points of interest, botanical gardens, and zoos.
Sports Venues✔️Link to accessibility pages for college/professional stadiums, arenas, and racetracks.
Performance Venues✔️Accessibility links for symphonies, ballets, operas, theatres, and prominent nightclubs.
Dining & Food✔️List ADA-compliant restaurant chains and coffee shops (e.g., Starbucks).
LEVEL THREE: ADVANCEDEnhanced Engagement✔️Incorporate video testimonials from visitors with different disabilities.
Industry Collaboration & Drop-Down MenusSurvey industry partners to uncover accessibility features, and build a user-friendly drop-down menu for mobility, blindness/low vision, deafness/hard of hearing, and autism/neurodiversity.
Tagging & Search OptimizationTag accessibility links by disability type, allowing users to filter and search. Locations with multiple features should appear under each relevant category.

How does your accessibility landing page measure up? How can you bring it up to the next level?

TravelAbility Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the ADA with a Powerful Lineup of 2025 Events

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"TravelAbility CelebratingADA35"

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TravelAbility is launching a powerful yearlong lineup of events and programs designed to educate and inform travel industry professionals, spark innovation, and create more inclusive experiences for travelers with all abilities. From data-driven insights to inspiring showcases and strategic collaborations, 2025 will mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of accessible travel.

“The 35th anniversary of the ADA is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come – and how much opportunity there is to design travel experiences that welcome all kinds of travelers,” said Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility. “This yearlong initiative was created to give industry professionals the tools and insights they need to make accessibility a core part of their business strategy. When destinations and businesses are informed, they often discover that accommodating travelers with disabilities is simpler than they expected, and that it can lead to increased visitation and loyalty.”

2025 ADA Anniversary Programming at a Glance

To mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, TravelAbility is launching a powerful lineup of initiatives designed to educate, engage, and equip the travel industry to better serve travelers with disabilities. From research and resources to workshops and innovation showcases, here’s what’s ahead:

June: Rethinking Accessibility – It’s Not What You CAN’T Do…It’s What You CAN Do!

This DAC (Destination A11y Club) member-exclusive initiative kicks off with a nationwide survey to uncover and highlight accessibility features, services, and amenities across destination networks. The results will shine a spotlight on what’s working and inspire new best practices across the industry.

The cover of the Accessibility Playbook featuring a blind person sitting down on a outdoor bench with a white cane. A yellow ang green banner is at the top with the book title. Below are the logos for Travelability and Destination International along with various disability icons.

July: ADA-Themed Accessibility Playbook (2025/2026 Edition)

In collaboration with Destinations International, TravelAbility will release a special edition of its Accessibility Playbook. This guide will include a historical look at the ADA, inclusive marketing case studies, emerging accessibility trends, and practical strategies to help tourism professionals create more welcoming experiences.

the TravelAbility logo, a simple text logo with a blue, yello, and green triangle in place of the A. Below is the word "presents" followed by the INNOVATEable logo, a simple text logo with the "innovate" part in green and the "able" part in black.

July 25: InnovateAble Showcase (Virtual)

Back for its 7th year, this fast-paced, shark tank-style event features trailblazing assistive technologies and breakthrough solutions for inclusive travel. From AI-driven tools to adaptive adventure gear, the InnovateAble Showcase offers a glimpse into the future of accessibility. Open to the public via Zoom.

USAE News logo in white on a blue background. the words "The premier Weekly News Source for Associations, Hotels, and CVB's.

August: “M.I.C.E. and Accessibility” Study Released in Partnership with USAE News

This groundbreaking study explores the accessibility needs of the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) sector. The findings will offer valuable insights for planners, venues, and hospitality professionals to enhance inclusion in events of all sizes. This effort is part of a TravelAbility initiative to build a business case for inclusion.

The longwoods international logo on a blue background. Simple logo in white text with the first "O" replaced by a globe.

September: Longwoods International Study on Disabled Travelers

The most comprehensive study of its kind to date, this national survey captures insights from over 53,000 U.S. travelers – including those who travel with companions requiring accommodations. Initial research findings will assist destinations and businesses in comprehending the scope and implications of this rapidly expanding travel segment. This effort is part of a TravelAbility initiative to build a business case for inclusion. 

A group of people sitting in chairs at a conference. Photo courtesy of Houston Vandergriff, 2023.
Photo by Houston Vandergriff, 2023.

September: Interactive Master Class Workshops

In partnership with Rosen College of Hospitality Management and host destinations, TravelAbility will convene three one-day immersive workshops designed to cultivate accessibility leaders. Each event includes expert panels, hands-on breakouts, and networking sessions with top accessibility content creators. Confirmed locations are as follows: Orlando, FL – September 19; Myrtle Beach, SC – Date to be determined; Lansing, MI – Date to be determined.  

October 13th-15th: 7th Annual TravelAbility Summit

The signature event of the year, this in-person summit brings together accessibility leaders, changemakers, and industry innovators for two days of collaboration and discovery. Programming includes keynotes, innovation showcases, and interactive sessions focused on advancing accessible travel. Register Today!

November: Heads in Accessible Beds

This nationwide initiative will document hotel bed heights to support wheelchair users in selecting accommodations that meet their needs. The findings will be shared publicly on participating destination websites offering a valuable resource for travelers and hotel partners alike.

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