TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessibility Awards

Accessibility Champion: Julie Pingston, President & CEO, Choose Lansing

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Q1. When did you begin focusing on accessibility in your destination and what was the impetus for wanting to make your destination more accessible?

As a destination, we had a very specific starting point in 2017 when we partnered with our performing arts center. The goal was to fill a 2,400-seat theater for a 100% Sensory Friendly Broadway Performance of Disney’s The Lion King, debuting in 2018. What started as a marketing campaign, evolved into a multi-dimensional strategy that has altered our community and how we welcome visitors of all abilities. 

We worked to create sensory inclusive programming in all of our attractions and provided sensory toolkits in many more locations. We created training for understanding of neurodiversities for our front-line staff throughout the community and created an accessibility web page detailing sensory events and opportunities as well as the “know before you go” information for all to access. 

We filled that theater in 2018, and it was an amazing opportunity for all to experience a Broadway show in their own way. This work was the first step, leading us to focus on accessibility as a destination and continue the journey to truly be welcoming to all.

Q2. What are your main responsibilities and tasks in your organization?

I serve Choose Lansing as President & CEO and lead our amazing team in developing the Lansing, Michigan region as a visitor destination. I spend a lot of time on advocacy, community relations and board relations while remaining highly engaged in our accessibility efforts.

Q3. Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers that you face regarding the advancement of accessibility in your destination? What initiatives have you undertaken to improve accessibility in your destination, and which are you most proud of?

The main obstacle we have faced is creating the time to keep advancing our efforts throughout the destination. We want to do it all immediately. The work that goes into accessibility is important because it creates opportunities to have experiences that many take for granted. Watching families participating in a sensory inclusive event as a complete family, without having to leave someone out, is so inspiring. I want that for everyone. That has been my drive to create strategies and to have those “what can we do next” conversations about accessibility and inclusivity. 

“Watching families participating in a sensory inclusive event as a complete family, without having to leave someone out, is so inspiring. I want that for everyone. That has been my drive to create strategies and to have those “what can we do next” conversations about accessibility and inclusivity.”

Julie Pingston

I’m proud that our partners have truly embraced the accessibility efforts throughout our destination and that we were able to host our first Tourism Accessibility Summit this past fall.  I’m equally proud that I have been able to share our story with other destinations to continue to grow the work. 

Q4. Who do you follow? Name an organization/company/individual you look to for ideas or inspiration.

I look to my colleagues in destination marketing organizations around the world who are leaders in innovation and avenues to spread accessibility efforts throughout the travel industry. 

For the past seven years, my main source of inspiration and partnership has been Cathy Blatnik from the Mid-Michigan Autism Association, and her son Dominic. I also love brainstorming with Meegan and Evan Winters from AbleVu and Kristy Durso from Incredible Memories Travel. 

Q5. What are your plans around accessibility in 2024?I’ve got a long list of next steps to increase accessibility initiatives for our community.  We recently hosted Lansing’s inaugural Tourism Accessibility Summit and we keep building from there. We have engaged with Wheel the World and are looking forward to completing an assessment and providing even more detailed accessibility information and training about our destination. 

Glidance Wins InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest: Revolutionizing Mobility for the Blind

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Tampa Bay, FL – July 18, 2024 – In a groundbreaking event celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Glidance emerged as the champion in the InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest. The competition, hosted by TravelAbility and held in conjunction with Destinations International’s annual convention, showcased cutting-edge innovations designed to remove barriers for travelers with disabilities. The Final Four were selected from over 45 companies seen at CES, CSUN, Abilities Expo and through an extensive product hunt.

The winner: Glidance: Pioneering Self-Guided Mobility for the Blind

Glidance, the world’s first self-guided mobility aid, combines artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology to create a robotic version of the service dog. Designed specifically for individuals with visual impairments, Glidance offers a revolutionary solution for navigating airports, hotels, and public spaces. Judges were impressed by its affordability and potential impact on the blind community.

“Amos Miller, the founder of Glidance, faced a critical question during the competition,” noted Jake Steinman, curator of the InnovateAble program. “Would this device render guide dogs obsolete? His response was insightful: While there are 9 million blind individuals in the U.S., there are only 80,000 guide dogs. Glidance fills a crucial gap and has ample room for growth.”

Other Remarkable Innovations

The InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest also featured three other remarkable innovations:

  1. AccessRec (Mobility): Co-founded by the creator of Mobi Mats, AccessRec introduced the concept of universally designed beaches. Their line beach mats, beach wheelchairs, and other recreational accessories make beaches, lakes, and uneven surfaces accessible to all.
  2. 360 Direct Video (Deafness): Empower 360 leverages AI-enabled American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in multiple languages. These avatars provide real-time ASL interpretation via video, enhancing communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers.
  3. Neurodiversity/Autism: Travelers with hidden disabilities and a sunflower lanyard that is now recognized in over 240 airports in over30 countries around the world .

TravelAbility and Destinations International remain committed to fostering innovation that empowers travelers of all abilities. The InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest exemplifies their dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible travel industry.

About TravelAbility: TravelAbility is a leading organization dedicated to advancing accessible travel and tourism. Through partnerships, education, and advocacy, TravelAbility strives to make travel a seamless experience for everyone, regardless of ability.

About Destinations International: Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, representing over 6,000 professionals from 600 destinations in 15 countries. Their mission is to drive economic development through travel and tourism.

Accessibility Champion: Lynn Smith

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Chief Marketing Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

She may not be a magician, but Lynn Smith is making the invisible seen around the world.

Q1. What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?

I firmly believe that everyone, at one time in their lives, will experience a non-visible disability. We all have friends and family who are affected by disabilities and conditions that are not immediately apparent to others, and I want all of them to feel supported and able to thrive to the best of their potential.

Removing the stigma around non-visible disabilities is crucial. It’s about making it easier for people to get the help they need and ensuring they feel valued and included. My passion for equity and social justice drives me to contribute to efforts aimed at creating a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels empowered to participate fully in all aspects of life. 

“I firmly believe that everyone, at one time in their lives, will experience a non-visible disability.”

Lynn Smith

Q2.  What is the goal of your organization?

Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-visible condition genuinely needs support. You may be questioned on if you have a disability because you don’t “look like you have a disability.”

That is why we created the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.

It is a simple tool for you to share that you have a non-visible disability voluntarily. By wearing the Sunflower, you’re letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.

Our goal is simply to improve everyday experiences for people with non-visible disabilities. We do this through the Sunflower symbol which helps make the invisible, visible.  

Q3: Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers you face around accessibility and what actions/initiatives are you taking to address them?

Aside from budget limitations, the most challenging obstacles to accessibility include the lack of awareness about disabilities that are not immediately apparent, stigma and discrimination, inflexible policies, and limited resources. To overcome these barriers, initiatives include educational campaigns to raise awareness, advocacy for policy changes, training programs to sensitize businesses and communities, promotion of inclusivity in all sectors, and fostering collaborations with other organizations and advocacy groups. By implementing these strategies, initiatives like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program aim to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for individuals with hidden disabilities.

Q4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

One of my proudest accomplishments is being part of an organization that shares my values and is dedicated to making a difference globally. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program operates in 34 countries, with seven offices. I am proud to contribute to its impactful mission. Working alongside such a dedicated team of individuals and being able to play a role in making the world more inclusive and understanding is incredibly rewarding.

Q5: Who do you follow?  

In addition to Jake and the TravelAbility team, I look to the following for ideas and inspiration:

The amazing HD Sunflower team

Melody Olander of But You Don’t Look Sick.

Richard Gray from Visit Lauderdale

DFAWG – The Dementia Friendly Airport Workers Group

Meegan Winters of AbleVU

Accessibility Champion: Ross Heller

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Publisher USAE News and CustomNEWS Inc.

Q1. What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?

As publisher of USAE Weekly Newspaper, a publication which covers the association and meetings industry, I feel we have a responsibility to cover the issue of accessibility. Understanding of accessibility, in all its aspects, to an association executive is as important as knowledge of food and beverage and/or site selection.

Over the years, disability has always played a role in my life. Among my company’s most successful telemarketers was an employee who had become blind as an adult. His lack of vision did not detract from his ability to talk to clients on the phone. In fact, after my nomination of him, the State of Maryland awarded him its Handicapped Employee of the Year Award.

Q2.  What is the goal of your organization?

USAE’s goal is to thoroughly cover the news of the association and meetings industry including news of CVBs and the hospitality community. We are the only industry trade publication to designate a reporter to regularly cover accessibility. 

Q3. Of what accomplishments are you most proud?

That USAE continues to thrive and bring important news and information to its community of readers 42-years after its founding.

“As a news organization we are continually on the search for knowledge of what others are doing in the field of accessibility so we can pass it along to our community of readers.”

Ross Heller

Q4: Who do you follow? 

As a news organization we are continually on the search for knowledge of what others are doing in the field of accessibility so we can pass it along to our community of readers. Our search is not limited to a specific individual or organization.

News from the TravelAbility Community

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Triumphs of our own – How the TravelAbility Community is leading Accessibility Innovators in Transforming Travel and Tourism Worldwide.

Wheel the World founder Wins Entrepreneur of the Year at annual EDDY Awards in Atlanta.

Winners of the second annual EDDIE awards, short for Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Diverse and Inclusive Excellence, are “not scared of breaking down doors, actually, demolishing doors.” Read about Silberstein and the other nominees, here.

IBCCES Announces Certifications of Dubai and Orlando Airports.

Our partners at IBCCES, the only credentialing organization in the autism field, have had a very busy quarter.  Recently, they’ve announced certifications including Dubai Airport, Orlando airport authority, our first Certified attractions in Korea and Macau, just to name a few.  You can read about more of their partners, here.

Ed Harris, Lancaster’s Tourism Maestro, Turns Crisis into Triumph.

Discover Lancaster’s CEO took tourism to the next level, driving record growth and setting a new standard for marketing innovation, even in the midst of a pandemic. Read how, here.

Jupiter Rebuilds Beach Walkovers to Help People in Wheelchairs.

Palm Beaches is making waves and redefining shorelines with their inclusivity movement. Find out how, here.

National Parks Becoming More Autism Friendly.

Customized Itineraries, visual schedules, sensory guides, quiet rooms, and sensory-friendly days are a great starting place for welcoming the neurodiverse into the great outdoors. Read how national parks are embracing inclusivity, here.

Accessibility at Vancouver Airport.

YVR is the first airport to receive an ‘Accessibility Certified Gold’ rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program. Read about their commitment to exceeding standards, here.

Wheel The World, Easy Access Travel and Tapooz Recommended by AARP as Top Tour Companies for Travelers with Physical Challenges.

AARP knows what travelers with mobility issues need to explore the world, and the TravelAbility community is bridging the gap. Learn how, here.

New on Accessible DMO Landing Pages:

San Francisco Travel has organized their accessibility feature in a unique and creative way. See it here.