ADA//Law

October 2025 Around the Web

October 1, 2025 by lkarl

Travel and Tour World | Accessible Tourism Grows Exponentially Across The Globe, According To TUR4all’s Comprehensive Report On The Latest Travel Industry Trends

Two people, one using a wheelchair, explore a historic colonial plaza with cobblestone paving and archaded buildings under a bright blue sky.

Accessible tourism has witnessed remarkable growth worldwide, driven by an increasing demand for inclusive travel experiences that cater to individuals with…

TUBU Festival Focuses on Travel and Tourism

An illustration depicts inclusive workplace accessibility, showing a person using a wheelchair at a computer workstation alongside a colleague using crutches.

The TUBU Fest, hosted in Austin, Texas, is an exceptional celebration of diverse voices and stories from playwrights with disabilities. This one-of-a-kind festival, now in its second year, presents 15 carefully curated plays by playwrights from all over the globe…

DOT Regressing in Protections for Disabled Travelers

A woman in a wheelchair wearing jeans and a yellow shirt sits in an airport terminal, gazing through floor-to-ceiling windows at an aircraft on the tarmac.

Airlines are watching as the US Department of Transportation (DOT) revisits a set of regulations intended to safeguard travellers with disabilities who rely on
wheelchairs. Originally unveiled by the Biden administration to strengthen existing safeguards, the rules were…

Taking Down Barriers to Take Off: How Airports Are Redefining Accessibility

Silhouetted against bright terminal windows, a caregiver pushes someone in a wheelchair through a modern airport concourse with reflective floors.

Airports are often seen as gateways to the world. For travellers with disabilities however, they can just as easily become barriers. In recognition of this, a recent Airports Council International (ACI) webinar on ‘Empowering Accessibility: Building Disability Advocacy…

Carnival Cruise Line is Cracking Down on Mobility Scooters

The Carnival Radiance cruise ship, featuring the distinctive red and blue funnel, is docked at a port under clear blue skies. Palm trees line the waterfront near the massive white vessel with its multiple decks and rows of balconies visible along the hull.

Modern, accessible cruise ships that simplify the logistics of traveling to different destinations make vacationing easier for those with mobility limitations. The appeal of cruising to travelers who use mobility aids is easy to see on Carnival Cruise Line…

Albertsons® Companies Launches “for U™ Travel,” a New Travel Booking Experience Rewarding Customers with Cashback on Flights, Hotels and More

In partnership with Expedia Group, for U Travel brings value and ease beyond grocery rewards to every destination….

Austin Volunteers Crack Down on Illegal Use of Accessible Parking

A news screenshot from KVUE ABC shows two people in bright yellow-green safety vests having a conversation next to a vehicle.

Drivers in Austin are being reminded to respect accessible parking spaces, as a growing number of trained volunteers are now authorized to issue citations to those who park illegally…

Robots Are Measuring ADA Compliance in Irvine, California

A small white autonomous delivery robot with tank-style treads navigates a concrete sidewalk past landscaping with bird of paradise flowers. The compact robot has a storage compartment, QR code, camera, and blue informational flag attached to its side.

Officials have deployed urban service robots to inspect sidewalk accessibility, in order to take an informed approach to improvements; the project is part of the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act…

3 Ways to Engage Neurodiverse Audiences Now

An illustration shows five overlapping head silhouettes in different colors, each containing distinct symbols representing different types of cognitive thinking: puzzle pieces, numbers and equations, gears, musical notes and flowers, and connected nodes.

15-20% of the UK population is neurodivergent – and that figure’s growing. Hassell Inclusion CEO Jonathan Hassell unpacks how marketers can build deeper connections with this audience…

How to Design Accessible Spaces

Get information and resources on how to design inclusive and accessible environments and products both in the real world and online…

Quick Wins to Get Started on Your Accessibility Journey

A young person with Down syndrome wearing a white shirt sits in front of a professional studio microphone, recording audio in a community setting.

When we talk about accessibility in tourism, sometimes the task ahead can feel overwhelming. In this blog we’ve tried to pull together some ‘quick wins’ to get you started…

Tourism Prince George Launches Virtual Tour Touting Accessible Spots

A virtual accessibility tour interface for Prince George, BC hotels displays a modern hotel lobby with a lowered check-in counter marked by a wheelchair accessibility icon, with a navigation menu listing various accommodations and their accessible features.

Tourism Prince George has launched a new way to help those with mobility challenges plan a getaway to the Northern Capital….

What Does the ADA Law Have in Common with Russian Roulette?

September 4, 2025 by lkarl

photo of Jake Steinman in a striped button up, jacket, and black rimmed glasses.

By Jake Steinman

To pass the original ADA, a compromise was made: accessibility standards were set to meet the median needs of each of four disability categories. In practice, that means that it works for half of the population and doesn’t work for the other half—because every disability has a spectrum. Unfortunately, travelers with disabilities don’t know which half they fall into until they arrive at a hotel, attraction, restaurant, or any public space.

It’s Russian roulette—with three bullets in the chamber instead of just one!

What if you could get rid of the high-stakes anxiety with one simple, free task?

Rethinking Accessibility Survey Highlights How Travel Industry Partners Can Better Share Accessibility Features Already in Place

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TravelAbility has released a new nationwide survey to spark a shift in how accessibility is presented across the U.S. tourism sector.

The Uncovering Accessibility survey, part of TravelAbility’s ongoing “Rethinking Accessibility” campaign collected responses from 143 tourism businesses, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, museums, and outdoor recreation providers. The goal: to better understand the accessibility features already in place and how they are (or aren’t) being communicated to travelers.

What the results revealed is encouraging: many businesses already offer inclusive features—but aren’t promoting them.

“Travelers with disabilities aren’t just looking for compliance—they’re looking for clarity. The ADA mandates certain physical features, but there’s no ADA for information. People with disabilities often have to guess what will or won’t work for them. That’s why Accessibility Landing Pages are so important—they help travelers discover what they can do, not what they can’t.”
– Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility

Key Findings from 143 Respondents

85% offer step-free entry
81% have accessible restrooms
81% offer ramps or elevators
68% provide accommodations for blind or low-vision guests, such as braille signage or audio guides
60% offer features for deaf or hard of hearing travelers, including hearing loops or text transcripts
44% offer sensory-friendly features such as calm spaces, sensory bags, or quiet hours
Yet 78% do not have a dedicated accessibility page on their website

In other words: accessibility is happening—it’s just not being shared.

This Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Visibility

From large print menus and calm rooms to free pet stays for service dogs, many businesses already offer helpful features. An Accessibility Landing Page brings that information together in one place—helping guests plan confidently while showcasing the efforts of local businesses.

Simple, Scalable Steps for Progress

The report also highlights accessible features that businesses can easily promote—many of which are low-cost or already in place:

Sensory-friendly hours and quiet spaces
Tactile exhibits, large print menus, and guided tours
Use of visual or assistive apps (e.g., Aira, Be My Eyes)
Staff training or service dog-friendly policies
Accurate details about physical access, parking, and signage

“This survey gave us a whole new outlook on how we could be more accessible,” shared one respondent. “Our buildings were constructed in the 1960s, and as a small business, meeting some ADA compliance standards has felt cost-prohibitive. That said, many guests in wheelchairs still come and enjoy the property—and they find ways to navigate the shortcomings. This survey showed us how we can still be supportive. We already offer free pet stays for service dogs, and we’re looking forward to tackling more from the list.”

The Role of the Destination A11Y Club

Ten leading DMOs in TravelAbility’s Destination A11Y Club are already paving the way. Each maintains an Accessibility Landing Page highlighting inclusive local experiences for travelers with disabilities and older adults.

With help from the Uncovering Accessibility survey, they’re now expanding those listings—often uncovering accessibility assets they didn’t know they had. It’s a win-win for both visitors and the local businesses they rely on.

What’s Next

The survey findings are just the beginning. Here’s what TravelAbility and participating destinations are doing next:

Creating a best practice guide to help businesses build or improve accessibility pages tailored to the types of organizations surveyed.
Connecting interested businesses with training opportunities through TravelAbility’s partner network.

As destinations take these next steps, the goal is simple: empower travelers with better information and create more welcoming travel experiences for all.

Participating DMO’s

Media Contacts

Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
Anna Whitlow, Director of Marketing & PR
awhitlow@albemarle.org

Discover Lancaster
Olivia Novak, Senior Marketing Manager
onovak@discoverlancaster.com

Experience Kissimmee
Deirdre Shaw, Destination Stewardship Manager
dshaw@experiencekissimmee.com

The Palm Beaches
Christine DeMichael, Director of Integrated Marketing
CDeMichael@ThePalmBeaches.com

Visit Lauderdale
Attiyya Atkins, Senior Manager, Global Integrated Marketing
aatkins@broward.org

Visit Loudoun
Jennifer Christie, Director of Marketing
christie@visitloudoun.org

VisitLEX
Arin Arnold‑Davis, Director of Destination Stewardship and Community Engagement
aarnold@visitlex.com

Visit Mesa
Zoey Shircel, CATP, Communications Manager
zoey@visitmesa.com

Visit Myrtle Beach
Stuart Butler, President
stuart.butler@visitmyrtlebeach.com

Visit Richmond
Toni Bastian, Director of Accessibility & Tourism Sales
tbastian@visitrichmondva.com

July 2025 Around the Web

July 4, 2025 by lkarl

Meet the Hiker Bringing Off-Roading Wheelchairs to L.A.

Austin Nicassio in an all-terrain wheelchair poses on a train with a lake and mountains in the distance

It’s a crisp, clear Southern California day, and I’m at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park with Austin Nicassio. He’s ripping up a steep dirt trail covered in rocks and roots in what looks, at first blush, like a miniature bulldozer. Until…

Adaptation Ventures: The First US Angel Group for Disability Tech Startups

Two people in white t-shirts and Jeans sitting with a large dog in-between them and smiling broadly.

Despite these staggering numbers, disability tech companies attracted only around $4 billion in early-stage investments in 2022 — a fraction compared to…

Time to Check-Out… the European Accessibility Act and Its Impact on Travel, Hospitality and Leisure

The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) or EAA is a significant legislative measure aimed at improving accessibility for consumers…

Virgin Australia and Adelaide Airport Launch Australian-First Accessibility Program

A flight attendant and a pilot with three children smiling broadly inside of an airport

Virgin Australia and Adelaide Airport have today announced the official launch of the ‘Try Before You Fly’ (TBYF) program, committing long-term to…

One Blanket Accessibility Pass for Theme Parks Isn’t Cutting It

A split image shows two scenes at an amusement park. On the left, a young woman wearing a dark green hoodie covers her mouth with her hand and appears emotional or overwhelmed. On the right, she is seen from behind holding hands with a man in a dark hoodie as they walk together along a cobblestone path toward a roller coaster in the background. Trees and colorful buildings line the walkway.

Every summer for the better part of a decade, Monica Matheson would take her daughter Jessica to Canada’s Wonderland. But Jessica’s mother says a recent…

Six Dimensions of Accessibility: Zelenska Launches ‘When You Can’ Campaign

Olena Zelenska in a clean white blazer against a purple background

First Lady Olena Zelenska has announced the launch of the national social change campaign “When You Can, “aimed at raising awareness about six key….

Happy Birthday, ADA! Celebrating 35 Years of Progress and Possibility

July 3, 2025 by lkarl

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and equal access. For the first time, discrimination against people with disabilities was formally prohibited in public life—from transportation and employment to education, government services, and public accommodations. It was a groundbreaking shift in how we, as a society, defined inclusion. It was the start of a mental shift.

Today, 35 years later, we celebrate the milestones the ADA has made possible. Sidewalks now feature curb cuts. Buses kneel. Elevators speak. Doors open automatically. But more than that, the ADA sparked a cultural shift—establishing the expectation that people with disabilities belong in every space and every conversation.

Of course, we know the work isn’t finished. The ADA was never meant to be the ceiling—it was the foundation. ADA may have set the legal standard, but true accessibility comes from going beyond compliance. It means thoughtful design, lived-experience-led solutions, and a commitment to equity that invites everyone to fully participate in the world around them.

In the travel and tourism industry, we’ve seen that momentum grow. What began with minimum requirements has evolved into adaptive equipment rentals, sensory-friendly events, inclusive marketing campaigns, and accessible adventure experiences once thought impossible.

This year, as we celebrate the ADA’s 35th anniversary, let’s honor the progress while recommitting to the possibilities ahead. Accessibility is not a box to check—it’s a doorway to deeper connection, broader audiences, and better design for all.

Keep reading for more stories celebrating the ADA’s legacy and its future:

Smithsonian’s Artifact History of Disability in America

ADA//Law

Travel and Tour World | Accessible Tourism Grows Exponentially Across The Globe, According To TUR4all’s Comprehensive Report On The Latest Travel Industry Trends

TUBU Festival Focuses on Travel and Tourism

DOT Regressing in Protections for Disabled Travelers

Taking Down Barriers to Take Off: How Airports Are Redefining Accessibility

Carnival Cruise Line is Cracking Down on Mobility Scooters

Albertsons® Companies Launches “for U™ Travel,” a New Travel Booking Experience Rewarding Customers with Cashback on Flights, Hotels and More

Austin Volunteers Crack Down on Illegal Use of Accessible Parking

Robots Are Measuring ADA Compliance in Irvine, California

3 Ways to Engage Neurodiverse Audiences Now

How to Design Accessible Spaces

Quick Wins to Get Started on Your Accessibility Journey

Tourism Prince George Launches Virtual Tour Touting Accessible Spots

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Key Findings from 143 Respondents

This Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Visibility

Simple, Scalable Steps for Progress

The Role of the Destination A11Y Club

What’s Next

Participating DMO’s

Media Contacts

Share this:

Meet the Hiker Bringing Off-Roading Wheelchairs to L.A.

Adaptation Ventures: The First US Angel Group for Disability Tech Startups

Time to Check-Out… the European Accessibility Act and Its Impact on Travel, Hospitality and Leisure

Virgin Australia and Adelaide Airport Launch Australian-First Accessibility Program

One Blanket Accessibility Pass for Theme Parks Isn’t Cutting It

Six Dimensions of Accessibility: Zelenska Launches ‘When You Can’ Campaign

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