Accessibility

August 2025 Around the Web

August 1, 2025 by lkarl

I’m Obese and Refused to Give Up My Second Seat on a Plane for a Toddler

A plus-size woman wearing a face mask sits in an airplane seat near the window, occupying part of the adjacent seat, with an oxygen concentrator next to her and empty seats nearby.

A woman has faced criticism online after revealing she refused to give up the second plane seat she had bought so that a fussy toddler could sit next to his mom.

The 34-year-old passenger said she had booked two seats on the domestic flight due to previous experiences of being uncomfortable in one….

Touch2See Increases Accessibility for Blind Sports Fans

In a sporting arena, fans sit in bleachers. Centered in the middle of the folder is a man with glasses cheering with one hand cupped around his mouth and the other following the game on his touch2see device.

As accessibility becomes a bigger focus for leagues and teams looking to increase convenience for all fans, Toulouse, France-based Touch2See is bringing its tech to the U.S. for visually impaired and blind fans….

What is Beep Baseball? Boston Team of Blind Athletes Plays America’s Favorite Pastime

The Boston Renegades baseball team plays beep baseball, an adaptive version of America’s favorite pastime, designed specifically for blind and visually-impaired athletes…

This Airline Was Named No. 1 for Wheelchair Accessibility in 2025

A person in a wheelchair waits at an airport terminal, with an airplane taking off visible through the large windows in the background.

If you are planning on flying with a wheelchair, there’s one airline with a higher approval rating than its competitors.

A new study by InsureMyTrip ranks which airlines are great with wheelchairs…

Houston Charity Gifts 66 Wheelchair-Accessible Vans to Needy Families

Five people pose in front of a row of new black and white vans adorned with red bows, part of a fleet of 66 wheelchair-accessible vehicles being unveiled in Houston to expand accessible transportation.

More than 60 underprivileged children will now have wheelchair-accessible vans thanks to a nearly $4 million giveaway by the Houston Children’s Charity on Tuesday….

What Makes Torino Europe’s Smartest Travel Destination?

Panoramic view of Turin, Italy, showcasing the iconic Mole Antonelliana with its tall spire rising above historic buildings and red rooftops, with a hot air balloon floating in the distance under a blue sky.

What makes Torino Europe’s smartest travel destination isn’t just its baroque palaces or chocolate heritage—it’s how the city is blending innovation, inclusion, and sustainability to reshape what a city break can be in 2025…

Best Travel Tips from Sophie Morgan

The travel industry has made great strides in accessibility recently, which is great, but there’s still so much more that can be done. Here are the companies and destinations I’ve found to be leading the way, whether you’re craving luxury, adventure or just a stress-free trip…

August News from the TravelAbility Community

July 31, 2025 by lkarl

This summer is HOT with TravelAbility community action! From camping to flying, this community is shaking up the very foundations of travel. Check out the latest achievements and well-earned accolades from your fellow changemakers.

Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

A smiling woman reclines on a three-wheeled adaptive recumbent bike on a beachside trail, wearing sunglasses, a gray beanie, green vest, and black pants. Next to her sits a large Bernese Mountain Dog with its tongue out, also appearing to smile. An orange safety flag extends from the back of the bike. The dry, sandy terrain and open sky evoke a sense of freedom, adventure, and companionship in the outdoors.

For me, the saddest part of living with multiple sclerosis and losing mobility was no longer being able to go for walks. I loved strolling in the park, marveling at the stunning diversity of foliage…

Illustrated book cover for “The Smart Marketer’s Guide to Digital Accessibility” by Sassy Wyatt, featuring a red-haired woman and a blind man with a white cane working together at a table, with a guide dog sitting nearby.

I lost my sight at 22. That changed everything. But what made life harder wasn’t the blindness itself, it was trying to live in a world, especially a digital one, that wasn’t designed with disabled people in mind.

Suddenly I couldn’t finish my degree because the platforms weren’t accessible. I couldn’t apply for jobs because the forms weren’t usable. I couldn’t even use social media in the same way as everyone else, not because I didn’t want to, but because the tools weren’t built to include me.

Two people in separate boats navigate a misty, tree-lined river at dawn; the scene is quiet and atmospheric, with dense fog obscuring the background and creating a sense of mystery and solitude.

As the demand for inclusive travel continues to grow, TripAdvisor has unveiled a new initiative aimed at providing accessible travel experiences for all. In collaboration with Visit Lauderdale, the site has introduced a dedicated landing page that focuses on accessible destinations and…

Children explore a brightly lit, interactive museum space featuring a large circular color mixing machine, colorful light installations, and various hands-on exhibits designed to engage sensory play and learning.

California’s attractions are designed for everyone to enjoy, including neurodivergent travelers and individuals with autism or sensory-processing sensitivities…

Graphic showing a desert landscape with tall cacti in the foreground and a hazy city in the distance. Centered in the image is the official IBCCES Certified Autism Center (CAC) seal. A yellow ribbon below the seal reads “Certified Autism Center.” Curved text above and below the seal reads: “Congratulations Grant Recipients!”

We’re excited to announce the inaugural recipients of the Mesa For All Autism Certification Grant Program!

The Mesa For All Foundation received 10 applications from Mesa-based businesses eager to become Autism Certified. After careful review, the board selected three outstanding recipients. The grant application opened in April 2025 in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Month and closed on June 16…..

In 2020, filmmaker Taylor Leigh Aguilar suddenly and unexpectedly lost her sight. She took a leave of absence from film school at Loyola Marymount University to attend the Colorado Center for The Blind…

An older man in a power wheelchair rolls along a beach access path, holding a large black umbrella for shade and carrying plastic bags on the chair’s handles, with a crowded beach scene in the background.

Travelers looking to plan an accessible getaway may have a new first stop at TripAdvisor. The site, in partnership with Visit Lauderdale, introduced a landing page for accessible destinations and experiences, where reviews from fellow…

Years ago, Lee and his wife, Ginny, were planning the trip of a lifetime: a safari in South Africa. But just weeks before, everything changed — Lee got sick, and ended up losing all four of his limbs. The trip never happened. Until now.

Watch Here

Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

A box filled with green sunflower lanyards, symbolizing hidden disabilities, sits on a table with the words “Hidden Disabilities” printed on the front, alongside a sunflower graphic and a QR code.

The Rapid City Regional Airport partnered with local organizations for Wings of Wonder. The event’s goal is to help people with disabilities easily navigate the airport from the moment they park their car until they find their seat on the plane…

Two yellow-orange tents are set up in a peaceful forest clearing, with tall pine trees casting long shadows as golden sunlight filters through the trees.

The rising costs of accommodations can be one of the biggest barriers to taking more trips. One way to keep travel more affordable is to consider the many campsites available across the U.S….

A sunlit forest trail winds through towering sequoia trees, with a few visitors visible in the distance, and wooden fences guide the accessible path through the dense, majestic landscape.

The sense of peace is palpable along the Big Trees Trail in California’s Sequoia National Park. All around my family, 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees—some of the world’s oldest and largest—stand in quiet solitude in a mountain landscape suited….

A panoramic view of downtown Richmond, Virginia, featuring a mix of modern and historic buildings, a long freight train crossing a trestle bridge over the James River, and autumn-colored trees lining the riverbanks.

Incorporated in 1742, Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the oldest cities in the United States. Located along the James River, the city has been at the center of…

A group of older adults strolls along a tropical garden pathway lined with vibrant flowers and palm trees, with mountains and the ocean visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Winter often brings a desire for cozy escapes and relaxing getaways, but as people grow older, their travel preferences and habits often shift. International trips may lose their appeal due to challenges like mobility issues, health concerns, and the complexities of travel logistics….

Travel Oregon is awarding nearly $6.2 million to 65 groundbreaking projects that it says will transform visitor access across the state while also strengthening local economies.

The 2024-25 Travel Oregon Competitive Grants Program was designed to increase access…

Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Travel Oregon is seeing the fruit of their awarded accessibility grants. Check out these grant-funded projects.

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

A man drives an accessible single-rider golf cart across a scenic golf course in Prineville, Oregon, surrounded by grassy hills and clear blue skies.

Derek Shike is a 31-year-old medical coder in Portland. Golf wasn’t always his cup of tea.

“For me, golfing, I always thought it was…

Three cyclists, including one using an adaptive handcycle, ride along a dirt trail through a pine forest on a sunny day, showcasing accessible outdoor recreation.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, a Bend-based nonprofit, has received $60,000 from Travel Oregon to expand the adaptive mountain biking program and introduce an adaptive paddling program for locals and visitors with disabilities…

A cyclist rides along a gravel trail in a scenic, dry landscape surrounded by shrubs and trees, while an inset image of the "Western Oregon All Access Gravel Guide" cover shows a rider on a similar trail through golden fields with Mount Hood in the background.

Dirty Freehub, a Bend-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting gravel cycling adventures, is launching a new statewide campaign to empower and inspire people with visible and non-visible disabilities to explore Oregon by gravel bike…

A lake with a mountain in the background

Six projects and programs in Northeastern Oregon have received big state tourism grants.

Travel Oregon announced Monday, June 30, it has awarded $6.2 million….

We’re only at the beginning of TravelAbility’s lineup of events to celebrate ADA’s 35th anniversary. Here’s what’s on the schedule!

Live Nation and KultureCity Partner to Create Sensory Accessible Concerts

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

The largest sensory accessibility partnership ever brings inclusion to live entertainment.

Live Nation is proud to announce a collaboration with KultureCity to certify 25 Live Nation-operated venues across the U.S. and Canada as Sensory Inclusive™, setting a new standard for hospitality and accessibility in live entertainment.

Each venue in the partnership has received KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, which includes:

Sensory Training: Crew members are trained to recognize and support the needs of fans who may think or process things differently.
Sensory Bags: Reusable bags filled with items to reduce sensory overload and enhance comfort for fans of all ages.
Venue Signage: Clear indicators for quiet zones, sensory bag pickup locations, and other helpful guidance.
KultureCity App Integration: Allows individuals to find certified venues and prepare ahead of events.

Fans can look out for signage directing them to sensory bags, headphone zones, and designated quiet areas. These resources are available at no cost for individuals or families who may need them during their visit. Live Nation crew have dedicated team members focused on accessibility and inclusion, ensuring fans receive the support they need throughout their experience.

“We’re committed to making sure fans feel welcome at our venues and we’re extremely proud of this certification,” said Karl Adams, Head of Venue Operations for Live Nation.

Thanks to our partnership with KultureCity, our venues are taking a new approach to hospitality and improving fan experience.”

Certified venues include Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront (Richmond, VA) and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (Tampa, FL).

With an eye to the future, Live Nation will certify an additional nine indoor venues this Fall.

Rethinking Accessibility Survey Highlights How Travel Industry Partners Can Better Share Accessibility Features Already in Place

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TravelAbility has released a new nationwide survey to spark a shift in how accessibility is presented across the U.S. tourism sector.

The Uncovering Accessibility survey, part of TravelAbility’s ongoing “Rethinking Accessibility” campaign collected responses from 143 tourism businesses, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, museums, and outdoor recreation providers. The goal: to better understand the accessibility features already in place and how they are (or aren’t) being communicated to travelers.

What the results revealed is encouraging: many businesses already offer inclusive features—but aren’t promoting them.

“Travelers with disabilities aren’t just looking for compliance—they’re looking for clarity. The ADA mandates certain physical features, but there’s no ADA for information. People with disabilities often have to guess what will or won’t work for them. That’s why Accessibility Landing Pages are so important—they help travelers discover what they can do, not what they can’t.”
– Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility

Key Findings from 143 Respondents

85% offer step-free entry
81% have accessible restrooms
81% offer ramps or elevators
68% provide accommodations for blind or low-vision guests, such as braille signage or audio guides
60% offer features for deaf or hard of hearing travelers, including hearing loops or text transcripts
44% offer sensory-friendly features such as calm spaces, sensory bags, or quiet hours
Yet 78% do not have a dedicated accessibility page on their website

In other words: accessibility is happening—it’s just not being shared.

This Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Visibility

From large print menus and calm rooms to free pet stays for service dogs, many businesses already offer helpful features. An Accessibility Landing Page brings that information together in one place—helping guests plan confidently while showcasing the efforts of local businesses.

Simple, Scalable Steps for Progress

The report also highlights accessible features that businesses can easily promote—many of which are low-cost or already in place:

Sensory-friendly hours and quiet spaces
Tactile exhibits, large print menus, and guided tours
Use of visual or assistive apps (e.g., Aira, Be My Eyes)
Staff training or service dog-friendly policies
Accurate details about physical access, parking, and signage

“This survey gave us a whole new outlook on how we could be more accessible,” shared one respondent. “Our buildings were constructed in the 1960s, and as a small business, meeting some ADA compliance standards has felt cost-prohibitive. That said, many guests in wheelchairs still come and enjoy the property—and they find ways to navigate the shortcomings. This survey showed us how we can still be supportive. We already offer free pet stays for service dogs, and we’re looking forward to tackling more from the list.”

The Role of the Destination A11Y Club

Ten leading DMOs in TravelAbility’s Destination A11Y Club are already paving the way. Each maintains an Accessibility Landing Page highlighting inclusive local experiences for travelers with disabilities and older adults.

With help from the Uncovering Accessibility survey, they’re now expanding those listings—often uncovering accessibility assets they didn’t know they had. It’s a win-win for both visitors and the local businesses they rely on.

What’s Next

The survey findings are just the beginning. Here’s what TravelAbility and participating destinations are doing next:

Creating a best practice guide to help businesses build or improve accessibility pages tailored to the types of organizations surveyed.
Connecting interested businesses with training opportunities through TravelAbility’s partner network.

As destinations take these next steps, the goal is simple: empower travelers with better information and create more welcoming travel experiences for all.

Participating DMO’s

Media Contacts

Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
Anna Whitlow, Director of Marketing & PR
awhitlow@albemarle.org

Discover Lancaster
Olivia Novak, Senior Marketing Manager
onovak@discoverlancaster.com

Experience Kissimmee
Deirdre Shaw, Destination Stewardship Manager
dshaw@experiencekissimmee.com

The Palm Beaches
Christine DeMichael, Director of Integrated Marketing
CDeMichael@ThePalmBeaches.com

Visit Lauderdale
Attiyya Atkins, Senior Manager, Global Integrated Marketing
aatkins@broward.org

Visit Loudoun
Jennifer Christie, Director of Marketing
christie@visitloudoun.org

VisitLEX
Arin Arnold‑Davis, Director of Destination Stewardship and Community Engagement
aarnold@visitlex.com

Visit Mesa
Zoey Shircel, CATP, Communications Manager
zoey@visitmesa.com

Visit Myrtle Beach
Stuart Butler, President
stuart.butler@visitmyrtlebeach.com

Visit Richmond
Toni Bastian, Director of Accessibility & Tourism Sales
tbastian@visitrichmondva.com

Calling All Filmmakers: TravelAbility Launches Inaugural Film Festival Showcasing the Future of Accessible Travel Storytelling

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

TravelAbility is proud to announce the launch of its First Annual TravelAbility Film Festival, a dynamic new showcase celebrating excellence in accessible travel video storytelling.

Premiering at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit (October 13–15 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon), the festival will spotlight short videos that explore accessibility with originality, purpose, and impact. From lived experiences to destination campaigns, the Film Festival honors the creators, brands, and advocates who are reshaping how accessible travel is seen and shared.

Accessibility is not just a trend; it’s a critical aspect of how travel is evolving. Accessible storytelling is already happening across platforms, from destination marketing videos and social media reels to firsthand accounts of travelers with disabilities. However, until now, there hasn’t been a central place to honor these creators and the work they’re doing. The TravelAbility Film Festival fills that void, bringing together creators who are reshaping the narrative surrounding accessible travel.”
travelandtourworld.com

Submit Your Entry Today

Submissions are now open in three categories:
• Destination Marketing Organizations
• Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants
• Content Creators & Influencers

Each entry must be submitted as an MP4 video no longer than 5 minutes, with participants limited to one category per submission.

Submissions will be accepted through August 15, 2025, or until the limit of 75 entries is reached.

View the full guidelines and submit your entry below!

Learn More

Finalist videos will be screened live during a special session at the TravelAbility Summit in front of travel professionals, destination marketers, and accessibility leaders. A diverse jury comprised of filmmakers, disabled travelers, and inclusive marketing experts will evaluate submissions. The top three videos in each category will be recognized, and one standout will be awarded Best in Festival.

Our goal with this festival is to amplify the voices and visual storytelling of those leading the way in accessible travel. We’re excited to honor creativity, inclusivity, and innovation in ways that inspire the entire travel industry.”
Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility.

Accessibility

I’m Obese and Refused to Give Up My Second Seat on a Plane for a Toddler

Touch2See Increases Accessibility for Blind Sports Fans

What is Beep Baseball? Boston Team of Blind Athletes Plays America’s Favorite Pastime

This Airline Was Named No. 1 for Wheelchair Accessibility in 2025

Houston Charity Gifts 66 Wheelchair-Accessible Vans to Needy Families

What Makes Torino Europe’s Smartest Travel Destination?

Best Travel Tips from Sophie Morgan

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Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

Sassy Wyatt | Guide to Digital Accessibility

Visit Lauderdale | Destinations Moving in the Right (Accessible) Direction

Visit California | Autism Certified Cities and Sensory Friendly Destinations

Visit Mesa | MFA Announces First Grant Recipients

Taylor Aguilar | The Blind Movement TV Show

Visit Lauderdale | Planning an Accessible Trip Just Got Easier with TripAdvisor’s New Tool

Wheel the World | Survival to SafariNew Tool

Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

AARP | Accessible Campgrounds

National Parks | How U.S. National Parks are Becoming More Autism Friendly

Visit Richmond and John Morris | Richmond, VA, Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

Visit Florida | Best Destinations for Senior Travel

Travel Oregon | Travel Oregon Awards Nearly $6.2M to Dozens of Groundbreaking Projects Across the State

Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

Oregon Adaptive Sports Receives $60,000 to Implement Adaptive Paddling Program

Dirty Freehub’s Inclusive Gravel Cycling Campaign Empowers Riders with Disabilities

NE Oregon Projects Receive State Tourism Grants

ADA 35 Lineup

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The largest sensory accessibility partnership ever brings inclusion to live entertainment.

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Key Findings from 143 Respondents

This Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Visibility

Simple, Scalable Steps for Progress

The Role of the Destination A11Y Club

What’s Next

Participating DMO’s

Media Contacts

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Submit Your Entry Today

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