TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessibility

Autonomous Shuttles with Accessibility Coming to US Cities

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photo of autonomous accessible shuttle -grey color with red acc ents large windows

The rise of electric vehicles has resulted in increased communication within the vehicle; everything from opening and closing windows to automated driving features to infotainment to passenger comfort is controlled via computers. Instead of piling electronic control units (ECU) — which historically have handled one function at a time — on top of each other, suppliers are converging them into so-called supercomputers. ZF’s Pro AI supercomputer combines multiple systems-on-a-chip (SoC) from different suppliers into one hardware unit that’s more efficient, takes up less space (the new ProAI is 12 by 6 by 6 inches) and eases supply constraints.

TravelAbility Insider Insight: Accessible ground transportation is one of the primary barriers for wheelchair travelers. While these beautiful and futuristically designed shuttle vans are primarily being released in Europe right now, they will have a ready market in the U.S. as accessible Airport shuttles. Read more.

Video of the Month: Hell in the Air from Vice Media

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bottom view of an airplane in the sky

Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers in Wheelchairs. 

Travelability Insider Insight: The most powerful video we’ve found to date:  For millions of wheelchair users, flying on an airplane means undergoing a series of indignities, and sometimes even dealing with a broken chair upon arrival.  View the video here.

FUN FAMILY VACATIONS

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TravelAbility has collaborated with Mélange Publishing, to produce the world’s first digital magazine for travelers with disabilities.  Each quarterly issue focuses on a different theme with the just released winter issue exploring accessibility around family travel.

Nikki and Jimmy Lean into Life: Recounts the story of Nikki, a single mother and her son Jimmy, who is blind, and what they look for when planning a trip.

My WOW Experience: An 11-year-old blind tween tells us about his favorite travel experiences.

Overwhelmed by Joy: Guest Editor Jennifer Allen, shares her wisdom from years at the helm of Wonders Within Reach, a family travel blog that focuses on accessible destinations and products for families. 

The issue contains 12 other feature articles and is the only publication that provides quick summaries and links to recent posts of 42 accessible travel bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers. 

Read the full issue here.

Gotcha! Spanish City uses Sensors to Discipline Handicap Parking Cheats

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The installation of smart sensors on disability parking spots has begun in the Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian aiming to have 350 such devices operational. The purpose is to prevent or at least lessen the possibility of having other drivers occupy these spaces illegally and bring about more social justice in the traffic environment. What’s more, the U-Spot M2M sensors will indicate to drivers of reduced mobility status the availability and location of nearby parking spots that have been set aside for them. Read more.

Tours for the Blind Led by a Company with a Vision

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Seable is the only multi-award-winning tour operator to offer assisted, active and tailored holidays to the visually impaired. They strive to create accessible holidays that improve independence, inclusion, and well-being, offering individual opportunities to increase confidence, learn new skills and make lifelong friends. Clients are involved every step of the way, providing them the opportunity to take a lead in planning activities. Read more.