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August News from the TravelAbility Community

July 31, 2025 by lkarl

This summer is HOT with TravelAbility community action! From camping to flying, this community is shaking up the very foundations of travel. Check out the latest achievements and well-earned accolades from your fellow changemakers.

Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

A smiling woman reclines on a three-wheeled adaptive recumbent bike on a beachside trail, wearing sunglasses, a gray beanie, green vest, and black pants. Next to her sits a large Bernese Mountain Dog with its tongue out, also appearing to smile. An orange safety flag extends from the back of the bike. The dry, sandy terrain and open sky evoke a sense of freedom, adventure, and companionship in the outdoors.

For me, the saddest part of living with multiple sclerosis and losing mobility was no longer being able to go for walks. I loved strolling in the park, marveling at the stunning diversity of foliage…

Illustrated book cover for “The Smart Marketer’s Guide to Digital Accessibility” by Sassy Wyatt, featuring a red-haired woman and a blind man with a white cane working together at a table, with a guide dog sitting nearby.

I lost my sight at 22. That changed everything. But what made life harder wasn’t the blindness itself, it was trying to live in a world, especially a digital one, that wasn’t designed with disabled people in mind.

Suddenly I couldn’t finish my degree because the platforms weren’t accessible. I couldn’t apply for jobs because the forms weren’t usable. I couldn’t even use social media in the same way as everyone else, not because I didn’t want to, but because the tools weren’t built to include me.

Two people in separate boats navigate a misty, tree-lined river at dawn; the scene is quiet and atmospheric, with dense fog obscuring the background and creating a sense of mystery and solitude.

As the demand for inclusive travel continues to grow, TripAdvisor has unveiled a new initiative aimed at providing accessible travel experiences for all. In collaboration with Visit Lauderdale, the site has introduced a dedicated landing page that focuses on accessible destinations and…

Children explore a brightly lit, interactive museum space featuring a large circular color mixing machine, colorful light installations, and various hands-on exhibits designed to engage sensory play and learning.

California’s attractions are designed for everyone to enjoy, including neurodivergent travelers and individuals with autism or sensory-processing sensitivities…

Graphic showing a desert landscape with tall cacti in the foreground and a hazy city in the distance. Centered in the image is the official IBCCES Certified Autism Center (CAC) seal. A yellow ribbon below the seal reads “Certified Autism Center.” Curved text above and below the seal reads: “Congratulations Grant Recipients!”

We’re excited to announce the inaugural recipients of the Mesa For All Autism Certification Grant Program!

The Mesa For All Foundation received 10 applications from Mesa-based businesses eager to become Autism Certified. After careful review, the board selected three outstanding recipients. The grant application opened in April 2025 in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Month and closed on June 16…..

In 2020, filmmaker Taylor Leigh Aguilar suddenly and unexpectedly lost her sight. She took a leave of absence from film school at Loyola Marymount University to attend the Colorado Center for The Blind…

An older man in a power wheelchair rolls along a beach access path, holding a large black umbrella for shade and carrying plastic bags on the chair’s handles, with a crowded beach scene in the background.

Travelers looking to plan an accessible getaway may have a new first stop at TripAdvisor. The site, in partnership with Visit Lauderdale, introduced a landing page for accessible destinations and experiences, where reviews from fellow…

Years ago, Lee and his wife, Ginny, were planning the trip of a lifetime: a safari in South Africa. But just weeks before, everything changed — Lee got sick, and ended up losing all four of his limbs. The trip never happened. Until now.

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Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

A box filled with green sunflower lanyards, symbolizing hidden disabilities, sits on a table with the words “Hidden Disabilities” printed on the front, alongside a sunflower graphic and a QR code.

The Rapid City Regional Airport partnered with local organizations for Wings of Wonder. The event’s goal is to help people with disabilities easily navigate the airport from the moment they park their car until they find their seat on the plane…

Two yellow-orange tents are set up in a peaceful forest clearing, with tall pine trees casting long shadows as golden sunlight filters through the trees.

The rising costs of accommodations can be one of the biggest barriers to taking more trips. One way to keep travel more affordable is to consider the many campsites available across the U.S….

A sunlit forest trail winds through towering sequoia trees, with a few visitors visible in the distance, and wooden fences guide the accessible path through the dense, majestic landscape.

The sense of peace is palpable along the Big Trees Trail in California’s Sequoia National Park. All around my family, 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees—some of the world’s oldest and largest—stand in quiet solitude in a mountain landscape suited….

A panoramic view of downtown Richmond, Virginia, featuring a mix of modern and historic buildings, a long freight train crossing a trestle bridge over the James River, and autumn-colored trees lining the riverbanks.

Incorporated in 1742, Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the oldest cities in the United States. Located along the James River, the city has been at the center of…

A group of older adults strolls along a tropical garden pathway lined with vibrant flowers and palm trees, with mountains and the ocean visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Winter often brings a desire for cozy escapes and relaxing getaways, but as people grow older, their travel preferences and habits often shift. International trips may lose their appeal due to challenges like mobility issues, health concerns, and the complexities of travel logistics….

Travel Oregon is awarding nearly $6.2 million to 65 groundbreaking projects that it says will transform visitor access across the state while also strengthening local economies.

The 2024-25 Travel Oregon Competitive Grants Program was designed to increase access…

Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Travel Oregon is seeing the fruit of their awarded accessibility grants. Check out these grant-funded projects.

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

A man drives an accessible single-rider golf cart across a scenic golf course in Prineville, Oregon, surrounded by grassy hills and clear blue skies.

Derek Shike is a 31-year-old medical coder in Portland. Golf wasn’t always his cup of tea.

“For me, golfing, I always thought it was…

Three cyclists, including one using an adaptive handcycle, ride along a dirt trail through a pine forest on a sunny day, showcasing accessible outdoor recreation.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, a Bend-based nonprofit, has received $60,000 from Travel Oregon to expand the adaptive mountain biking program and introduce an adaptive paddling program for locals and visitors with disabilities…

A cyclist rides along a gravel trail in a scenic, dry landscape surrounded by shrubs and trees, while an inset image of the "Western Oregon All Access Gravel Guide" cover shows a rider on a similar trail through golden fields with Mount Hood in the background.

Dirty Freehub, a Bend-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting gravel cycling adventures, is launching a new statewide campaign to empower and inspire people with visible and non-visible disabilities to explore Oregon by gravel bike…

A lake with a mountain in the background

Six projects and programs in Northeastern Oregon have received big state tourism grants.

Travel Oregon announced Monday, June 30, it has awarded $6.2 million….

We’re only at the beginning of TravelAbility’s lineup of events to celebrate ADA’s 35th anniversary. Here’s what’s on the schedule!

What are the Top 10 Trends in Accessible Travel?

July 4, 2025 by lkarl

Last year’s TravelAbility Summit featured a presentation revealing The Top Ten Trends for Accessible Travel in 2025. Read a summary and watch the full video below!

Summary

🚕 Accessible Transportation Revolution
Ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft face legal pressure to become wheelchair accessible. Rental cars now offer adaptive features and Ford introduces models with audio descriptions for blind users.
Watch here
🛫 Airports Embrace Universal Access
New airport renovations include cutting-edge accessibility upgrades—like changing rooms—highlighted by Portland Airport’s initiatives.
Watch here
🧠 Smart Tech Enhances Navigation
Google Maps adds wheelchair-accessible routes. Hotels now feature voice-activated controls and AI travel planners for a seamless, informed experience.
Watch here
🤫 Rise of Sensory-Friendly Destinations
Quiet areas in airports and stores (e.g., Walmart) cater to neurodivergent travelers. Autism-friendly travel packages are growing in popularity.
Watch here
🛌 Universal Design in Accommodations
Wider doorways, roll-in showers, and height-adjustable furniture are being adopted into architectural blueprints, making spaces inherently inclusive.
Watch here
🌍 Virtual Reality Previews
Travelers can explore destinations through VR before visiting. Tools like 360° hotel room tours boost planning confidence.
Watch here
🧗 Inclusive Adventure Tourism
Tools like Be My Eyes and Aira assist blind travelers in hiking and outdoor activities. Oregon leads with grants funding these innovations.
Watch here
🏖️ Accessible Beach Access Innovations
Greece installs ramps into the sea for wheelchair users. Sensory-safe beach areas are being designed for neurodiverse visitors.
Watch here
📋 Nano Training for Hospitality
Scandinavian hotels use sub-50-second videos to train staff on disability service—an efficient way to boost service quality.
Watch here
📺 Inclusive Representation in Media TV shows and marketing campaigns are increasingly spotlighting autism and disability. Large firms like Unilever are leading with inclusive messaging.
Watch here

Watch Here

These trends aren’t just hypothetical—they’re being discussed, demonstrated, and accelerated at the TravelAbility Summit, where accessibility leaders, tourism professionals, and innovators come together to share solutions and spark progress. Join us October 13–15, 2025, at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon to experience the conversations shaping the future of travel. From live hands-on workshops and expert presentations to networking with changemakers, the Summit is where the next wave of accessibility innovation begins.

Register Today!

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….

Champions of Change: Steve Nelson Takes Accessibility to New Heights

June 6, 2025 by lkarl

Steve Nelson’s journey into accessibility advocacy began with personal experience—but it was fueled by a deep care for others.

“I do have a personal connection to disability,” he shared. “I was diagnosed ADHD as a child, and as an adult I was diagnosed as being autistic and having other invisible disabilities.” Yet, it wasn’t just his own story that propelled him forward. While working in Guest Relations at a major entertainment and hospitality company, Nelson saw opportunities to better serve the disability community. “I began to advocate for us to make some local changes, and that eventually led to me being introduced to the Services for Guests with Disabilities team, who took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to make a career out of it.”

Today, Nelson serves as the Accessibility and Belonging Program Manager for Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines. He leads what he describes as “a first-of-its-kind operation in the airline industry”—The Disability Office. “We act as internal consultants and advocates who partner with the various divisions, stakeholders, and leaders across the organization to drive better accessibility,” he explained. “We want everyone to be able to feel like they belong when they fly with us, and that means we have to innovate and change how air travel works for the disability community.”

Creating that change, especially within a large and regulated industry, comes with its challenges.

“The common theme is that I have to remind people that I am on their side,” said Nelson. That includes both internal stakeholders and the communities he serves. “My goal isn’t to take over someone else’s job or to steal their thunder—I’m just there to keep them curious about what we can accomplish if we think outside of the box.”

At the same time, he’s realistic about the pace of progress. “It may seem like progress is slow or like a company doesn’t care enough, but I promise there is so much happening behind the scenes and it will be truly transformative.”

Among the many accomplishments in his career, Nelson is especially proud of one. “I’ll go back to basics and say I’m most proud of the Disability Rehearsal Flights we host at Alaska Airlines.” These events give travelers with profound disabilities the chance to experience the travel process—from check-in to boarding to taxiing down the runway—without ever leaving the ground. “They get a boarding pass, go through security, board an aircraft, and experience a brief taxi around the airport before deplaning.”

The flights aren’t just beneficial for the guests. “It even gives the best kind of training experience for our employees. No computer-based program can show you how to care from the heart as well as an experience with 70+ families can.”

Nelson believes that accessibility work is—and must be—rooted in listening to the people who are most impacted. “This is going to sound so cliché, but it has always been the people I serve,” he said. “I’m not just talking about the happy people who participate in a rehearsal flight, but also the folks who have not had the best experience.”

“People with disabilities are PEOPLE. They matter. They deserve to have dignity and autonomy.”

When asked what advice he’d offer to others working to move accessibility forward in 2025, Nelson is clear: “Practice telling a good story and don’t give up!” He’s seen firsthand how powerful storytelling can be.

“I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t care about individuals with disabilities… but I’ve met plenty who don’t know any better.”

That’s why he leads with empathy and real-life narratives rather than a list of demands. “Take your time and remember you are doing the work for people who don’t have a place at the table. It’s worth the effort… and if you’re me, always have a large black iced coffee in hand… it helps.”

Airlines

Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

Sassy Wyatt | Guide to Digital Accessibility

Visit Lauderdale | Destinations Moving in the Right (Accessible) Direction

Visit California | Autism Certified Cities and Sensory Friendly Destinations

Visit Mesa | MFA Announces First Grant Recipients

Taylor Aguilar | The Blind Movement TV Show

Visit Lauderdale | Planning an Accessible Trip Just Got Easier with TripAdvisor’s New Tool

Wheel the World | Survival to SafariNew Tool

Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

AARP | Accessible Campgrounds

National Parks | How U.S. National Parks are Becoming More Autism Friendly

Visit Richmond and John Morris | Richmond, VA, Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

Visit Florida | Best Destinations for Senior Travel

Travel Oregon | Travel Oregon Awards Nearly $6.2M to Dozens of Groundbreaking Projects Across the State

Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

Oregon Adaptive Sports Receives $60,000 to Implement Adaptive Paddling Program

Dirty Freehub’s Inclusive Gravel Cycling Campaign Empowers Riders with Disabilities

NE Oregon Projects Receive State Tourism Grants

ADA 35 Lineup

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Summary

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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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