TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessibility

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.

Fort Wayne International Airport Unveils Accessibility, Universal Design in Renovations

Accessibility is a positive for those with disabilities, but standards are designed to target only the middle 50% of people.

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The Palm Beaches: An Autism-Friendly Summer Destination

Not all beaches are created equally. Discover what makes The Palm Beaches the most autism friendly beach destination.

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Crayola Experience Mall of America® Becomes a Certified Autism Center™, Enhancing Accessibility for All Guests

What makes the nation’s most colorful interactive fun even better? Making it a welcoming experience for all!

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Sunflower Program Works to Make Airport More Accessible

Richmond, VA travelers with invisible disabilities will have a significantly simplified airport experience, thanks to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program.

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Inside Google’s Process To Creating Newly-Announced Maps Accessibility Features

How does a map app make navigation more accessible for mobility challenged, vision impaired, and hearing impaired? Updates like these!

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Airbnb, United Spinal Association Executives Discuss ‘First-Of-Its-Kind’ Academy, Accessible Travel In Interview

What does economic inclusion look like? Find out through Airbnb’s groundbreaking partnership with United Spinal – empowering hosts with mobility needs to tap into the $24 billion hosting market.

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San Diego’s Accessibility Shines in a Tour by Mobility Scooter

Lived experience is the only accurate accessibility review. Here’s how San Diego did.

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A Grand Adventure – The Grand Canyon

Divergent Adventures is creating a new kind of adventure experience – one that welcomes the neurodivergent.

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AdvenChair Teams up with Wanderlust Tours for AdvenTours

Oregon leads the way in new levels of accessibility and inclusion with outings that allow people with disabilities to explore Central Oregon’s most iconic places with expert guidance.

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Collins Aerospace Joins Race to Add Wheelchair Space to Airplane

The space race has begun! The space for wheelchairs on planes, that is. Who’s going to lead the way in accessible flights?

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Disabled Disney Guests Told to Ask for Callback Times at Each Ride & Practice Waiting in Line Instead of Getting DAS

So much for the happiest place on earth. Updates to Disney’s accessibility pass may leave some behind.

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Jen Roth Serving Entrepreneurs’ Organization-Minnesota While Building Travel Accessibility Website, Wise Blue Yonder

Fully curated travel experiences designed for people of all abilities bring inclusion to new areas of the travel space.

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Reno’s Adaptive Cycling Center Blazes a Trail for  Outdoor Fun

Adaptive bikes and David’s Chair are just part of what’s making Reno an adaptive adventure destination.

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Travel Lane County Wins Prestigious Get in the Hearing Loop Award

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Delivering lost sounds directly to hearing devices is changing the way people experience Eugene, Cascades & Coast Region

Travel Lane County, known as the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, has been awarded the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 2024 Get in the Hearing Loop Award for its work installing hearing loops throughout Lane County. “We are thrilled to be recognized with this HLAA award,” shared Andy Vobora, Travel Lane County Vice President of Stakeholder Relations. “In 2021, we recognized Ginevra Ralph and Sue Pritchard with the Travel Lane County Community Leadership Award for their work implementing hearing loop technology at the John G. Shedd Institute for Arts and for working with the Loop Lane Committee to advocate for hearing loops in other locations. It inspired me to request funds to work with our hotel and attractions members and get more locations looped. With an additional grant from Travel Oregon, we’ve been able to loop 40 locations throughout Lane County.” Travel Lane County will receive this award in Phoenix, Arizona in June at the 2024 HLAA Conference. 

Hearing loops installed over the past year include:

  • 25 Hotels
  • 4 Performing Arts Venues
  • 4 Visitor Centers
  • 2 Retail/Restaurants
  • 5 Museums/Attractions

The Wildish Theater was the final loop project implemented with the Travel Oregon accessibility grant when work was completed in March 2024. Travel Lane County, the City of Springfield, the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC) and the Wildish Theater partnered to bring the project to life.”We are so excited that the Wildish Community Theater has a Hearing Loop,” said Theater Board President, Kelly Mason. 

“The Wildish Community Theater is well known for its high quality acoustics,” said Mike Eyster, SRDC President. Eyster went on to say, “The Hearing Loop will make the theater much more accessible to even more patrons. The Wildish is happy to be a destination that focuses on accessibility. The Theater couldn’t be more grateful for community partners that have a shared vision of inclusion and excellence and a commitment to making the Wildish a place that everyone can enjoy.” Mason and Eyster expressed appreciation for the generous donors that contributed to the Hearing Loop project. 

More About Hearing Loops

Travel Lane County is committed to welcoming all visitors to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region and ensuring they have a great Oregon experience. Hearing loss affects 48 million Americans – That’s 1 in 7 citizens that have this invisible disability. Hearing Loop systems allow customers with T-coil enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear conversations clearly by delivering the staff’s voice directly into the visitor’s hearing device. Staff are better able to welcome guests and ensure they receive all the important information they require. Learn more at Hearing Loss Association of America.A special thank you to Alan Antilla, owner of Hearing Support Solutions, for assessing and installing all of the hearing loop systems at the hotels and attractions Travel Lane County has worked with over the past year.

What the Founder and CEO of TravelAbility Just Doesn’t Get

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Jake Steinman shares the simplest, and most essential, missing piece in hotel accessibility in this Travel Weekly article. Read the article here, or get the gist with this rap version!

Hey, hotels, listen up, it’s time to take a stand,
Spent millions on compliance, now let’s lend a hand.
ADA’s in place, but there’s more to be done,
Add an accessibility page, make it number one.

You got the ramps, the lifts, the wide doorways,
But what about the info that truly paves the way?
Dimensions and details, post ’em online,
For travelers with disabilities, it’s a lifeline.

From compliant to welcoming, it’s not that hard,
Transparency’s the key, let down your guard.
Post the data, make it clear and bright,
For every guest in a wheelchair, make it right.

CDC says one in four got a disability,
But only 15% travel, that’s the reality.
Hotels, step up, make a change today,
Post the info online, show the way.

Heads in accessible beds, let’s make it known,
Hotels can be welcoming, let it be shown.
From compliance to care, it’s a simple move,
Let’s make every stay a welcoming groove.

Undiscovered America TV Features Episode on Accessibility

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Celebrating Accessibility Champions in Travel!

TravelAbility is thrilled to have contributed to the curation of destinations and experts featured in the Accessibility episode of Undiscovered America. This exciting episode will be broadcasted to 107 million households this week and will also be available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

A big congratulations to the following champions who have made inclusion and accessibility a fundamental principle of their work:

Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:Your dedication to creating a more inclusive future is truly inspiring!

Kevin Wright, VP Brand Stewardship Travel Oregon: Thank you for your commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access for all.

Alison Brooks,VP Destination Experience & Advocacy Visit Mesa : Your innovative approach to accessibility has made a significant impact.

Kristy Durso, Founder Incredible Memories Travel: Your advocacy for accessible travel is making a difference!

Learn More about Undiscovered America

News From Around The Web

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Australia: The Year of Accessible Tourism

Unlocking the economic power of accessibility: Queensland’s $12 million initiative is transforming tourism through accessibility grants and improved marketing representation, paving the way for businesses to tap into a $13.5 billion market.

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Sesame Place San Diego receives Autism Certification

Sesame Place San Diego is leading the way in autism accommodations. Discover how their certified autism center renewal and expanded amenities is helping them reach neurodiverse visitors.

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Adventure Sports; Diving for People with Disabilities at the Red Sea

Red Sea Global uses “commercial good sense” in creating Project Aurelia to ensure Red Sea is one of the most inclusive destinations in the world.

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US Airlines Improve in their Handling of Wheelchairs

US airlines’ handling of mobility devices in 2023 exposed! Ranked by reports of mishandling, you may be surprised by which carriers are falling short and who’s making improvements.

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Hyatt Outlines Support for Neuro Diverse travelers

Hyatt’s game-changing survey reveals how hotels can cater to neurodivergent travelers, enhancing every step of their journey from booking to check-out.

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