TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Denise Brodey

We’re Proud to Introduce the Podcast “Explorable”

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An Expert Q&A Series You’ve Got To Add to Your Podcast Lineup

Explorable is a new podcast that is a collaboration between TravelAbility and Designsensory, a branding and marketing firm in Knoxville. Twice a month leaders in the accessible travel community will share their insights with Josh Loebner and Toby Willis, two blind members of TravelAbility’s Advisory board. Episode one kicks with John Morris, a triple amputee who, prior to Covid-19, traveled 320 days a year. John doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to his reviews of airlines, hotels, and destinations.

OUR TAKE: Collaboration is the future. This podcast came about when Loebner discussed having a live podcast studio at TravelAbility Summit. The goal: to interview speakers and thought leaders in the community. Great minds think alike! Toby Willis, a leader of the accessibility movement within Expedia had the same idea. We’ve all joined force and the result is truly worth a listen.

5 Accessible Design Changes Most DMOs Don’t Think About (but should)

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group of adults some using a wheelchair some using a cane talk in the center of a large lobby

Before writer Brad McCannell explains five architectural changes that work for everyone, he points out his pet peeve. That would be when someone he is meeting with about building accessibility says, ‘I’m already accessible because my building meets code’. His story focuses on making meaningful changes to buildings. Read his full post, here.

OUR TAKE: A few facts to keep in mind when planning accessibility design in the age of concurrent pandemics, wildfires, tornadoes, and murderous hornet invasions. First, you’d best have an emergency plan for everyone, including people with disabilities. (The ADA law doesn’t stipulate that you must.)  Second, implementing a design that’s accessible for all should not only about wheelchair access. Second, according to the Centers for Disease Control, while it’s true that 13.7% of people with disabilities use a wheelchair. It’s on you to think about agility, hearing, vision, and cognition, too. Roughly 30 million Americans said they had difficulty climbing stairs or used a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker according to the last nationwide census.

To read more on this topic, visit our archive of disability advocates, here.

MUST WATCH! When Audio Transcription Fails (Hilariously)

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photo: illustration of a keyboard with hands; screen copy says audio transcription with a page, headphone and text icon

You might think that YouTube can capture the exact words from your video. But their transcription tool has more than few loopholes. The only thing funny about it is these two tech guys who show you just how bad audio transcription can bungle your copy. The example here is a Jamaica tour video. Watch it on YouTube, here.  

OUR TAKE: From a marketing point of view, this video makes clear that humor, truthiness, and great information make people sit up and pay attention to your message. Don’t be nervous to even make fun of yourself (and of course fix the problem). After watching it, you’ll really get why creating winning videos requires more than visual storytelling. All the moving parts need to be in place and double-checked before it will make a good impression.

Restarting Travel: What the U.S. Can Learn from China

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With China’s Covid-19 lockdown over, there will be some early lessons to learn from them. In the past two weeks, consumer confidence in travel has grown, according to a recent report from McKinsey and Company. The cautiously optimistic tone reflects how fragile both wellness and willingness are around the globe. The world is watching as the Chinese navigate their new normal. Read more, here. The report summarizes trends in the hotel, airline, and younger returns in China.

OUR TAKE: It’s wonderful to read such positive statistics and insights in the McKinsey report.  One insight that stuck with us: “When a lockdown ends, the first thing people want to spend money on is eating out. The second is travel. Our consumer survey shows that confidence in domestic travel rose by 60 percent over the past two weeks.” The focus is on the regional traveler who is not yet ready to go beyond domestic trips this summer. Industry forecasts show the same to be true in the U.S.

NYC Wants You to Fall in Love With It Again. But How?

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sign on the street that has an arrow with a heart in the middle the background I blue and the arrow is white. it Is circular

A diverse Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery Council will spearhead the effort to bring back the city’s energy and tourists.  It’s NYC, though, so it’s not just any council.  Formed with NYC & Company, it’s fully loaded with hospitality heavy hitters (restauranteur Danny Meyer and Lin-Manuel Miranda are two), according to CNN.  

OUR TAKE: Don’t judge a city by its pandemic photos. Yes, some have made NYC look a little post-apocalyptic these past few months., But those who travel there have the city in their DNA. It’s tough to stay away.  What is your city so well known for that it screams COME BACK? It’s a question we should all be asking.. 

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