Information and inspiration from around the web
Accessibility
News from the Travelability Community
From California and British Columbia to Germany and around the globe, the TravelAbility community is making waves – and headlines.
Visit California | Ventura County Legislator Pushing to Make State Parks More Accessible to Those with Disabilities
Destinations International | Beyond Boundaries: Stories of Resilience and Inclusion in Accessible Travel
Destination BC | Invictus Games 2025: Why British Columbia is becoming a Hub for Accessible Winter Adventure
Shaping the Future of Accessible Tourism at ITB Berlin 2025
Lane County, Oregon | Accessibility Projects Work to Make Mount Pisgah Arboretum More Welcoming
Wheel the World | Accessible Travel Tips from Our Community
Incredible Memories Travel, Royal Caribbean, and Easy Access Travel | Accessible Travel Revisited: Readers Have Questions, Suggestions
Morgan’s Studio Launches with New Inclusion Unlimited Series
WAYMO | Ride For Two: Our Eyes-free Adventure
(Watch the full adventure on YouTube)
What Would You Do?
Each month we try to address various accessibility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community.
What Would You Do: You’re a restaurant that received a call asking if you were accessible for wheelchairs. The party was told yes, but when the party arrived they found one step to get into the restaurant. What would you do?
Here’s what our community had to say…
Kim Molnar | Director of Tourism Prineville, Oregon
First thing I would do is sincerely apologize for the mistake and offer assistance. If they choose to stay, I would also comp a portion of the meal. I would then make it a priority to fix the accessibility barriers and train the staff on giving proper information to future guests when asked if our property is accessible. If I had the guests’ contact info, I would follow up with any positive changes we had made.
Pekka Paavonperä | Public Relations Consultancy owner and Accessibility Advocate
I would have purchased a ramp when I opened the restaurant.
Marcia Frost | Wheelchair Accessible TV Travel Expert
I had this situation not long ago. The restaurant was wheelchair accessible in the sense there were no stairs inside or out. The problem was that the tables were all tightly fit together. They had to have a dozen customers get up and move tables and chairs to get me into a table! Then, they did the same when I left. It was quite embarrassing and I felt bad for the people who had to interrupt their meals.
The restaurant told me when I was leaving to call next time and ask for a table to be set up by the bar – right next to the front door. I have not been back.
Key Takeaways:
- Make sure your staff no how to answer any questions on accessibility
- Keep accessibility information up front on your website to avoid any uncomfortable accidents
- If it’s only a few steps, consider purchasing a portable ramp
- Have a plan to make it right
Best Practices Travel Accessibility Page of the Month: Discover Lancaster
Here’s what sets Discover Lancaster apart when it comes to accessible landing pages…
TravelAbility’s Accessibility Playbook provides a basic guide for building an accessibility landing page that welcomes all to discover your destination. Discover Lancaster’s website is entering the advanced level because of its extensive listing of all types of attractions and resources. They’ve done a great job of working with their partners to build a platform of information on anything a disabled traveler could be looking for. Here’s how they measure up:
Creating an Accessible Landing Page: A Three-Level Guide
| Level | Key Elements | Details |
| LEVEL ONE: BASIC | Statement ✔️ | “We are pleased to welcome visitors of all abilities. This page features a variety of accessible attractions, museums, recreational activities, and hotels to help visitors and local residents with disabilities discover what they can do in [Destination].” |
| Things to Do✔️ | Identify accessible attractions and experiences, and provide direct links to their accessibility pages. | |
| Hotels & Lodging✔️ | List accessible hotels, highlight hotels with pool lifts exceeding ADA requirements, and survey hotels for detailed accessibility info. If partnering with Wheel the World, link directly to their booking page. | |
| Additional Resources✔️ | Build an accessible itinerary with state/provincial/national stakeholders, and include links to relevant articles and media coverage. | |
| Transportation✔️ | Link to accessibility pages for airports, public transportation, taxis & van services, and car rentals. | |
| Medical Supplies & Services | Provide links for wheelchair/scooter rentals and medical equipment rentals (Hoyer lifts, shower chairs, etc.). | |
| LEVEL TWO: INTERMEDIATE | Recreation✔️ | Provide accessibility links for nearby parks, hiking trails, points of interest, botanical gardens, and zoos. |
| Sports Venues✔️ | Link to accessibility pages for college/professional stadiums, arenas, and racetracks. | |
| Performance Venues✔️ | Accessibility links for symphonies, ballets, operas, theatres, and prominent nightclubs. | |
| Dining & Food✔️ | List ADA-compliant restaurant chains and coffee shops (e.g., Starbucks). | |
| LEVEL THREE: ADVANCED | Enhanced Engagement✔️ | Incorporate video testimonials from visitors with different disabilities. |
| Industry Collaboration & Drop-Down Menus | Survey industry partners to uncover accessibility features, and build a user-friendly drop-down menu for mobility, blindness/low vision, deafness/hard of hearing, and autism/neurodiversity. | |
| Tagging & Search Optimization | Tag accessibility links by disability type, allowing users to filter and search. Locations with multiple features should appear under each relevant category. |
How does your accessibility landing page measure up? How can you bring it up to the next level?
TravelAbility Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the ADA with a Powerful Lineup of 2025 Events
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TravelAbility is launching a powerful yearlong lineup of events and programs designed to educate and inform travel industry professionals, spark innovation, and create more inclusive experiences for travelers with all abilities. From data-driven insights to inspiring showcases and strategic collaborations, 2025 will mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of accessible travel.
“The 35th anniversary of the ADA is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come – and how much opportunity there is to design travel experiences that welcome all kinds of travelers,” said Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility. “This yearlong initiative was created to give industry professionals the tools and insights they need to make accessibility a core part of their business strategy. When destinations and businesses are informed, they often discover that accommodating travelers with disabilities is simpler than they expected, and that it can lead to increased visitation and loyalty.”
2025 ADA Anniversary Programming at a Glance
To mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, TravelAbility is launching a powerful lineup of initiatives designed to educate, engage, and equip the travel industry to better serve travelers with disabilities. From research and resources to workshops and innovation showcases, here’s what’s ahead:
June: Rethinking Accessibility – It’s Not What You CAN’T Do…It’s What You CAN Do!
This DAC (Destination A11y Club) member-exclusive initiative kicks off with a nationwide survey to uncover and highlight accessibility features, services, and amenities across destination networks. The results will shine a spotlight on what’s working and inspire new best practices across the industry.
July: ADA-Themed Accessibility Playbook (2025/2026 Edition)
In collaboration with Destinations International, TravelAbility will release a special edition of its Accessibility Playbook. This guide will include a historical look at the ADA, inclusive marketing case studies, emerging accessibility trends, and practical strategies to help tourism professionals create more welcoming experiences.
July 25: InnovateAble Showcase (Virtual)
Back for its 7th year, this fast-paced, shark tank-style event features trailblazing assistive technologies and breakthrough solutions for inclusive travel. From AI-driven tools to adaptive adventure gear, the InnovateAble Showcase offers a glimpse into the future of accessibility. Open to the public via Zoom.
August: “M.I.C.E. and Accessibility” Study Released in Partnership with USAE News
This groundbreaking study explores the accessibility needs of the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) sector. The findings will offer valuable insights for planners, venues, and hospitality professionals to enhance inclusion in events of all sizes. This effort is part of a TravelAbility initiative to build a business case for inclusion.
September: Longwoods International Study on Disabled Travelers
The most comprehensive study of its kind to date, this national survey captures insights from over 53,000 U.S. travelers – including those who travel with companions requiring accommodations. Initial research findings will assist destinations and businesses in comprehending the scope and implications of this rapidly expanding travel segment. This effort is part of a TravelAbility initiative to build a business case for inclusion.
September: Interactive Master Class Workshops
In partnership with Rosen College of Hospitality Management and host destinations, TravelAbility will convene three one-day immersive workshops designed to cultivate accessibility leaders. Each event includes expert panels, hands-on breakouts, and networking sessions with top accessibility content creators. Confirmed locations are as follows: Orlando, FL – September 19; Myrtle Beach, SC – Date to be determined; Lansing, MI – Date to be determined.
October 13th-15th: 7th Annual TravelAbility Summit
The signature event of the year, this in-person summit brings together accessibility leaders, changemakers, and industry innovators for two days of collaboration and discovery. Programming includes keynotes, innovation showcases, and interactive sessions focused on advancing accessible travel. Register Today!
November: Heads in Accessible Beds
This nationwide initiative will document hotel bed heights to support wheelchair users in selecting accommodations that meet their needs. The findings will be shared publicly on participating destination websites offering a valuable resource for travelers and hotel partners alike.
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