TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessible Landing Pages

Best Practices Travel Accessibility Page of the Month: Discover Lancaster

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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

LevelKey ElementsDetails
LEVEL ONE: BASICStatement
✔️		“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 & ServicesProvide links for wheelchair/scooter rentals and medical equipment rentals (Hoyer lifts, shower chairs, etc.).
LEVEL TWO: INTERMEDIATERecreation✔️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: ADVANCEDEnhanced Engagement✔️Incorporate video testimonials from visitors with different disabilities.
Industry Collaboration & Drop-Down MenusSurvey 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 OptimizationTag 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?

Best Practices: Accessible Landing Page

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By Jennifer Allen

While planning an upcoming campaign between Destination Ann Arbor and Wonders Within Reach, I popped over to their website to scout out family-friendly accessible highlights for our itinerary. I was blown away by how easy it was to find accessible options. This is the kind of website my family needs for planning a trip. Here are some of the things that made it easy to find what I needed:

Multiple ways to find the accessibility landing page. I could access the landing page from the “Plan a Trip” tab or from the “Accessibility” option at the bottom of the page, but I could also find a wide variety of itinerary ideas on the blog. 

Diverse itinerary styles through the blog. Typically, if I find an accessible landing page for a destination, it’s an added bonus if they have an accessible itinerary with wheelchair friendly options. Destination Ann Arbor has multiple blog posts featuring accessible attractions. Instead of following an itinerary for a handful of accessible options, I can choose from accessible adventures, inclusive parks, trails, and outdoor activities, and sensory-friendly things to do – or create my own itinerary using all of the above. The blog posts include all of the details we need for each location, including trail chair loans and transportation.

Wheel the World Certified. As a verified destination with Wheel the World, I have a fool-proof way to book accessible accommodations and activities I need. It’s also another easy way to find accessible opinions, based on our own filters.

Shared lived-experiences. The plethora of photos and videos make it easy to confirm what will and will not work for us. I can visit with the confidence that wheelchair users have gone before and it’s worked for them – because I see it on their website.

Rabbit trails aren’t usually an issue for me, because there’s typically one tab with limited information showing all of my accessible options. I immensely enjoyed getting lost in ideas as I clicked through endless extensions of articles and itinerary options.

Best Practices: Visit Fort Wayne

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Accessible Landing Page of the Month

What we love on Visit Fort Wayne’s website:

  • Accessibility landing page is easy to locate with an option under the “Plan” tab, as well as an easy to find wheelchair icon on the main page
  • Disability representation is visible on pages other than the accessibility landing page
  • Accessible options go beyond a sample itinerary to include separate pages of options for hotels, attractions, restaurants, parks, trails, venues, and events
  • Map of accessible parking options in downtown
  • List of disability resources for transportation and services
  • Links to experiences of disabled travelers for trip planning inspiration

Check it out, here!

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

Susie D.: The Language Architect Behind Meta’s Accessibility Movement

Read HERE

Wonders Within Reach’s 2024 Accessible Travel Awards

Read HERE

Wheel the World’s Accessibility Makeover in Kalamazoo

Read HERE

Accessible to All: Visit Vacaville Focuses on Inclusivity

Read HERE

State Tourism Funds Go to Good Use in Southern Colorado

Read HERE

Google Introduces PaliGemma 2: The AI That Sees

Read HERE

Live a Disability Experience in NYSCI’s Human Plus Exhibit

Read HERE

Mesa’s Journey Toward Becoming a Fully Inclusive and Accessible Destination

Read HERE

Autonomous Cars Meet Accessible Rides in Houston WAV Pilot

Read HERE

The Nature Conservancy Pioneers Equitable Access on New York trails

Read HERE

Mesa Welcomes Every Body for Spring Training

Read HERE

Top 20 Searched Destinations on Wheel the World (2024)

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In 2024, Wheel the World, a leading booking engine for accessible travel, provided insights into the most searched destinations over the past year. This data reflects the growing interest in accessible travel options and highlights the preferences of travelers seeking inclusive experiences.

Top 20 US Destinations

  1. New York, NY
  2. Las Vegas, NV
  3. Miami, FL
  4. Orlando, FL
  5. Maui, HI
  6. Alaska (Statewide)
  7. Honolulu, HI
  8. Chicago, IL
  9. San Francisco, CA
  10. Washington, DC
  11. Los Angeles, CA
  12. Boston, MA
  13. New Orleans, LA
  14. Florida (Statewide)
  15. San Diego, CA
  16. Myrtle Beach, SC
  17. Fort Lauderdale, FL
  18. Nashville, TN
  19. Atlanta, GA
  20. Seattle, WA

Analysis by Region

  • East Coast (35%)
  • West Coast (25%)
  • South (25%)
  • Hawaii & Alaska (10%)
  • Midwest (5%)

Key Observations

1. Diverse Destinations: The list features a mix of urban centers, beach destinations, and natural wonders. Cities like New York and Las Vegas are popular for their vibrant culture and entertainment, while places like Maui and Alaska attract those seeking natural beauty and adventure.

2. East Coast Dominance: The East Coast accounts for 35% of the top destinations searched, indicating a strong preference for major cities like New York, Miami, and Washington, DC. This could be attributed to the region’s rich history, cultural attractions, and accessible transportation options.  

3. Significant Southern Appeal: The South also represents 25% of the top destinations, with Orlando and Miami leading the charge. This reflects the popularity of theme parks, beaches, and warm weather, making it a favored choice for families and vacationers.

4. West Coast Representation: The West Coast, with destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, captures 25% of the searches. This region is known for its diverse landscapes, entertainment, tech hubs, and cultural experiences, appealing to a wide range of travelers.

5. Hawaii and Alaska: The inclusion of Hawaii and Alaska highlights the interest in beach and natural outdoor options, catering to those seeking relaxation and adventure.

6. Midwest Underrepresentation: The Midwest only accounts for 5% of the top destinations searched, suggesting that travelers may prioritize coastal and urban experiences over the more rural and less densely populated areas of the Midwest.