TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessibility

Innovation of the Month: Koda – Breaking Barriers in Live Communication

by

Koda, the third-place winner of this year’s InnovateAble Showcase, is an AI-powered accessibility platform transforming live events, travel, and public spaces by providing real-time captions and translations for the deaf, hard of hearing, non-native speakers, and anyone navigating noisy environments.

When Saida Florexil set out to create better communication tools for the deaf and hard of hearing, she was motivated by lived experience. Born deaf, she wanted technology that could support her daily interactions as a college student. At the same time, co-founder Aakriti was watching her grandfather transition to hard of hearing and saw how isolating and frustrating everyday conversations became for him.

Together, they developed Comunify, an early version of their accessibility tool designed to make everyday conversations more inclusive.

“As users began adopting Comunify at events and providing feedback, including event organizers who saw the value, it became clear that the technology could have a much broader impact,” Florexil recalls.

In the summer of 2023, the project relaunched and rebranded as Koda, shifting focus toward making live events, travel, and transportation more accessible and inclusive for all.

The Problem: Missing Out on Key Moments

Communication access in public spaces is often inconsistent or nonexistent. For the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as non-native speakers or even people struggling to hear in noisy environments, critical information can easily be missed.

“Koda solves the problem of inaccessible communication in public spaces and live events,”

Florexil explains. “Whether it is someone who is deaf, hard of hearing, a non-native speaker, or simply struggling to catch announcements in a noisy environment, people are often excluded from key moments of information and engagement.”

The result can be anything from minor inconveniences—like missing a punchline—to serious challenges, such as misunderstanding flight announcements or safety information.

The Koda Solution: Real-Time, AI-Powered Accessibility

Koda is designed to bridge those gaps with live, scalable, AI-powered accessibility.

  • Conferences and Festivals: Real-time captions and translations help attendees follow along, network effectively, and stay engaged.
  • Sports Arenas and Public Transit: Travelers and fans never miss critical announcements, regardless of disability, language barriers, or the noise of the venue.
  • Entertainment Settings: From comedy shows to theater productions, Koda ensures audiences don’t miss a word, joke, or performance cue.

By providing instant communication access, Koda not only improves accessibility but also enhances engagement for all audiences.

Pricing Model

Koda’s pricing is designed to be flexible based on scale and event type.

  • Base rate: $50 per hour
  • Additional daily costs: Applied for remote support depending on event needs

This makes Koda accessible to a wide range of organizations, from small community events to large-scale festivals and conferences.

Building a More Inclusive Future

Koda may have started as a personal solution, but it is rapidly becoming a platform with global potential. By focusing on accessibility first, Florexil and her team are showing how inclusive technology can create better experiences for everyone.

The Future of Inclusive Travel Takes Center Stage at TravelAbility Summit 2025

by

The 2025 TravelAbility Summit in Sunriver, Oregon, marked a true turning point for inclusive travel through record attendance, powerful storytelling, and partnerships that prove accessibility is shaping the future of tourism.

Nearly 200 industry leaders, from DMOs and hotels to tech innovators and disability advocates, came together under the theme “The Future of Inclusive Travel.” Ideas flowed, connections sparked, and the message was clear: accessibility is the heart of good hospitality.

“One of the most gratifying things to me is that the conference has added a moral dimension to the travel industry, creating purpose in attendees as they learn how to make a real difference in the world,” said Jake Steinman, Founder and CEO of TravelAbility. “This is what drives change. The next step is leadership buy-in, and the Longwoods study we presented gives the data to back the purpose. By partnering with AARP, we’re bridging today’s disability travel with tomorrow’s aging market.”

New This Year: Film Fest, Influencer Project, and More

This year’s Summit unveiled a series of firsts designed to keep accessibility at the forefront of tourism growth:

  • The TravelAbility Film Fest premiered during the event, celebrating powerful, real-world storytelling that builds empathy and understanding through the lens of accessible travel.
  • The Influencer Project paired destinations with disability creators to tell authentic accessibility stories and reach new audiences hungry for representation.

Partnerships in Action

This wasn’t a summit centered on talking, we were serious about doing.

Destinations took big steps – from partnering with Wheel the World to commit to accessibility verification and transparency, to moving forward with the Accessibility Playbook or connecting with innovators to transform spaces.

“This community is ENGAGED, we’re PASSIONATE, and we have a SOLID PLAN,” said Robert Harris, Manager of Global Accessibility at Royal Caribbean Group. “I came away with so much energy and so many ideas—now, to put them to work in a sequential, developmental, and sustainable way.”

Panels featuring disabled travelers grounded the discussions in lived experience, turning data into empathy and empathy into strategy.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap a record-breaking year, TravelAbility’s mission is clearer than ever: to educate, empower, and connect the industry so every traveler feels welcome.

Next year, we’ll take the momentum to Tampa, Florida, on November 9-11th, 2026 where we’ll continue helping host cities become models of accessibility.

“Our goal is to help future host cities become examples of what’s possible,” said Steinman. “We’ll help them implement plug-and-play innovations to create destinations truly worth celebrating.”

TravelAbility Announces 2025 Accessibility Superstars: The Architects of Inclusive Culture

by

Only a select few have been named as TravelAbility’s Accessibility Superstars. These industry leaders have gone beyond tireless advocacy to complete cultural overhauls. Their efforts have not only transformed policies, practices, and mindsets, but have also inspired global movement towards equitable travel experiences. They have laid a new foundation for an accessible future.

Toni Bastian: Transforming Richmond’s Tourism Landscape

Toni Bastian with dark brown hair smiling at the camera

Toni Bastian from Visit Richmond has transformed accessibility from a checklist into a mindset. Under her leadership, Richmond’s tourism culture now embraces accessibility as a core value—from frontline hospitality to strategic planning. Toni’s efforts have enabled local businesses to see accessibility not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to welcome all travelers with dignity and warmth.

Superstar Initiatives:

  • Accessible RVA Strategic Plan: A comprehensive plan that integrates accessibility into Richmond’s tourism strategy, ensuring that all visitors have a seamless experience.
  • Accessible RVA Champions: A program that trains local businesses to become more accessible, fostering a community-wide culture of understanding and respect.
  • Disability Inclusiveness Training: Workshops designed to educate frontline staff about disability etiquette, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Sasha Blair-Goldensohn: Pioneering Accessible Navigation at Google

Sasha wearing a light blue shirt and gray pants poses in his wheelchair in a NY Subway station

Sasha Blair-Goldensohn from Google Maps has redefined what it means to build for everyone. His advocacy has sparked systemic change within Google, embedding accessibility into product development, UX design, and global mapping standards. Sasha’s lived experience and relentless drive have helped cultivate a culture where accessibility has been a model for innovation. In addition to mapping accessibility, he’s actively advocating for building accessibility as the voice behind NYC’s commitment to an accessible Metro system.

Superstar Initiatives:

  • Wheelchair-Accessible Transit Routes: Because of Sasha, Google Maps offers wheelchair-accessible transit routes in over 20 cities, in addition to widespread accessible walking route options, helping users navigate public transportation with ease.
  • Accessibility Icons: Through Sasha, Google Maps added icons indicating which establishments are wheelchair accessible, providing users with essential information at a glance. These icons have been expanded to include accessibility details for all canvassed locations.
  • Detailed Voice Guidance: Launched enhanced walking directions for individuals with low or no vision, improving navigation in unfamiliar areas.
  • Crowdsourced Accessibility Information: Thanks to Sasha’s efforts, Google Maps now provides crowdsourced accessibility information for more than 50 million places, empowering users to make informed decisions about their travel destinations.

Tami Reist: Championing Accessibility in North Alabama

Tami Reist smiling with long blond hair

Tami Reist from North Alabama Mountains and Lakes has championed accessibility across rural tourism with unmatched zeal and creativity. She’s cultivated a regional culture where accessibility is a celebrated value. From training local partners to spotlighting accessible trails and attractions, Tami’s leadership ensures that accessibility is not just an afterthought—it’s proudly visible in every visitor experience.

Superstar Initiatives:

  • Accessibility Handheld Guide: Published a print guide on accessible adventures, covering multiple disabilities and including sample itineraries.
  • Destination Verified Status: The region earned “Destination Verified” status for accessible travel, marking a significant step forward in inclusive tourism.
  • All-Terrain Mobility Device Donation: Through a TVA grant, Tami’s team purchased a state-of-the-art all-terrain hopper and donated it to Joe Wheeler State Park, allowing individuals with mobility challenges to explore rugged trails and scenic landscapes more freely.
  • Inclusive Marketing: Launched a new accessibility website alongside hosting disability content creators and sharing multimedia itineraries.

Honoring the Architects of Inclusive Culture

Toni, Sasha, and Tami exemplify the essence of leadership in the realm of accessible tourism. Their unwavering dedication to creating inclusive environments has not only transformed their respective regions but has also set a global standard for what it means to be truly accessible. As we celebrate their achievements, we are reminded that true accessibility is not merely about removing physical barriers but about fostering a culture of inclusion, empathy, and respect.

To Toni, Sasha, and Tami—thank you for showing us that true accessibility is not just what we build, but how we lead. You are the architects of inclusive culture and we honor you as TravelAbility Superstars.

Around the Web November 2025

by

AI leading the charge for inclusion and other surprising news and inspiration. Dive in Below!

Best Practices: What Works on Tennessee State Parks’ Accessibility Landing Page

by

The Accessibility option in Tennessee State Park’s drop down menu brings you to a page of seemingly endless options. Planning barriers are removed with detailed information on facilities and experiences that are accessible for individuals with varying types of mobility needs. You can find information on:

  • Wheelchair-friendly paved trails and overlooks
  • All-terrain wheelchairs
  • Adult-sized changing tables
  • Colorblind viewers
  • Accessible kayak/canoe launches
  • Language and information access
  • Connection with an accessibility team
  • Individual park pages with details on ramps, accessible restrooms, parking spots, and more to ensure a barrier-free experience

Not only are accessible and adaptive options prolific, the information on them is easy to find.

Check out the beautifully organized landing page here.