TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessible Landing Pages

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.

Is this an Example of Ultimate in DMO Accessibility Content Pages?  

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In their latest iteration, Visit Charlottesville Albemarle County may have created the most comprehensive accessible landing page anywhere and a model for all to follow. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU UNVEILS NEW ACCESSIBILITY LANDING PAGE AND FUTURE ACCESSIBILITY EFFORTS

These accessibility efforts will continue into 2025 and beyond as the CACVB works to create a more welcoming environment for all visitors in Charlottesville and Albemarle County

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB) is excited to announce a new accessibility landing page and grant-funded efforts aimed at improving accessibility infrastructure for visitors and residents. As part of its comprehensive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville provided funds to the CACVB to build the tourism industry back stronger following the severe impacts of COVID-19. A portion of this funding supported more than 60 accessibility assessments for local tourism-related businesses and attractions through a strategic partnership with Wheel the World.

These efforts led to Charlottesville and Albemarle County being designated as Destination Verified by Wheel the World. This distinction sets the community apart from other destinations due to its wealth of accessible locations and experiences. The new CACVB landing page highlights these accessible experiences and provides important information about businesses with step-free and/or accessible entrances, transportation and parking, and accessible accommodation details like bed height, toilet height, and space available under bathroom sinks.“This accessibility information is not only available to visitors looking for things to do, but also our residents,” said Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director of the CACVB. “With our recently passed strategic plan, we will continue building out these accessible experiences allowing us to foster a welcoming community for all visitors.”

In spring 2023, the CACVB secured a $20,000 DRIVE Outdoor grant through the Virginia Tourism Corporation to imagine the future of outdoor recreation in the area. The CACVB convened a stakeholder group consisting of City and County Parks and Recreation departments, the Shenandoah National Park, outdoor recreation outfitters, and environmental groups. This stakeholder group determined that the grant funds should be used to invest in accessible river equipment and training, which could be used by residents and visitors alike.

This funding was provided to the Rivanna River Company (RRC) to purchase three special adaptive kayaks. Additionally, RRC has created four accessible parking spots made from stone dust, giving visitors with mobility issues access to the site. RRC also used compacted stone dust to make the entrance area and a path to the accessible portable toilet more navigable. The adaptive kayak program will launch in spring 2025. Photos of the adaptive kayaks can be found here.

This winter, the CACVB will embark on another stakeholder engagement exercise to identify and promote accessible experiences for history lovers. Following stakeholder engagement meetings, the CACVB will apply for a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation to build an itinerary to promote and amplify these efforts. Influencers with accessibility needs will be invited to explore local sites and attractions that offer welcoming experiences.

For more detailed information on how the CACVB went through its extensive accessibility work, please listen to the Destinations International Architects of Destination Advocacy podcast.

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