TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Denise Brodey

How American Airlines Is Helping Anxious Kids Get Comfortable in the Air

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a boy talks to a pilot who is bending down next to him to chat
credit: Clearbrook

It’s Cool to Fly American Airlines is a simulated flight program that helps special needs kids and their families become comfortable with air travel. The program, going on its fourth year, gives autistic children, children with sensory issues (common in kids diagnosed with ADHD) and other special needs a chance to do a test run before they fly for the first time. Planes do not leave the ground, but kids still get a feel for the bustle and noise of air travel, which parents say gives them the courage to travel as a family for the first time. Plus, the program offers kids a chance to meet a pilot, check out the cockpit and get other cool perks. Read more.

The Real Scoop on Delta’s New Rules About Flying with Emotional Support Dogs

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photo of a dogs head on his paws looking sad
credit: Itay Kabalo

Dogs classified as giving emotional support to their owners are flying in record numbers—and not just on Delta. In fact, across all carriers, demand for pets to accompany people jumped 75% in one year. This apparently includes dogs, cats, rodents, you name it, some more well-behaved than others. The uptick in bad behavior and the increase in requests is what prompted Delta to revise rules around emotional support animals traveling on long flights (more than 8 hours) and to clarify the advance booking notice rules for 2019. If you travel with an emotional support animal, don’t panic, but do plan ahead. Read more.

Disabled People Must Be Able to Talk More Openly About Sex—It’s Important for Their Health.

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A columnist who rites a column on disability and is an actress.
Sex shouldn’t be a taboo topic, says Renke.

Here’s a fact you probably didn’t know: Only 5% of people who aren’t disabled have ever been asked out or been on a date with a disabled person, according to one study. Actress and disability campaigner Samantha Renke hopes to change that statistic. She writes candidly in MetroNews UK that, to make matters worse, she has to endure either intrusive questions from those around her or total silence around the topic in general. Renke writes that she thinks that silence has probably led her to lose out on the chance to have some valuable relationships.  Read more.

IBM Scientist Develops AI to Transform Lives of People Who Are Visually Impaired

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With new apps comes more independence for people who are blind. credit: IBM
credit: IBM

Japanese-born Chieko Asakawa, now a technologist at IBM, was inspired to improve the lives of people who are visually impaired after she was injured in an accident as a teenager. (She was completely blind by age 14.) Today, Chieko Asakawa has already made huge contributions to accessibility research. She’s won many awards, including Japan’s Medal of Honour for her work. The IBM team’s latest idea uses AI to help people who are visually impaired to navigate complicated indoor locations via an app. Ultimately, the app will help people to use a cane less and to seamlessly navigate offices and other indoor spaces where mapping technology can’t do the job. Read more.

Intel’s New Wheelchair Can Tell Where You Want to Go By The Look On Your Face

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An scooter uses AI from Intel to help wheelchair users move forward and back with simple facial expressions
Credit: HOOBOX Robotics

A team of Brazilian researchers is fine-tuning “The Wheelie Kit”, which uses Intel’s RealSense 3D camera to add facial expression control to any motorized wheelchair. Sound complicated? To build the kit, yes. To use it, no (with some practice, of course). Intel’s target demo is people who lack the ability to move their body below the face or neck, but who can make facial expressions, such as a kiss, smile, a wink or raised brow that can be read by Intel’s AI capabilities (photo, above left). The state-of-the-art kit premiered at the AI for Social Good Initiative to rave reviews. (see a video) Wheelie Kits with HOOBOX Robotics are expected to arrive stateside in 2019. Read more.