Conferences & Events

Fighting for Access at Home: Advocacy in Military Housing

When Kristy Durso, a longtime disability advocate and TravelAbility ambassador, relocated from San Antonio to Colorado Springs, she didn’t expect to dive headfirst into another accessibility battle — this time, for her own home.

“We told them what we needed. We were very clear in our instructions,” Durso said of her early conversations with the military housing office. “But I’m sure this will shock everybody — surprisingly or not — they had no door widths. They had no real accessibility information.”

Kristy and her family have been living in a single hotel room, while they wait for accessible accommodations to be available on base.

The housing setup on base wasn’t just lacking — it was a systemic issue. “They didn’t have a home that was accessible in Ryan’s rank structure,” she explained, referencing her family’s specific needs. In the past, people just had to make-do with what was available. “Nobody was telling them that they were doing it wrong.”

Kristy isn’t just navigating the red tape — she’s changing it. She’s had meetings with the housing office, the legal office, and the Exceptional Family Member Program, which supports military families with disabilities. She’s not only sharing her accessibility struggles, she’s also going over adaptive solutions she’s found.

And she’s not stopping there.

One of her long-term goals is to implement a neurodivergent or autism-friendly certification on base using programs like KultureCity or the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

“The military definitely has a higher number of families with disabilities because people go into it knowing their medical care is going to be covered,” she said. “We have to do this here simply because of the lack of accessibility that we’re finding on the base.”

Discovering a Model City: Accessibility in Colorado Springs

Outside the gates, the story shifts — dramatically. “Our experience in the broader town has been exceptional,” said Durso. “We’re so excited to be in Colorado Springs, a destination that has already come to TravelAbility and shown a commitment to accessibility.”

In just three weeks, Kristy and her family have already tried adaptive water skiing, tubing, hiking, hand-cycling, and even discovered a climbing gym with an adaptive climbing group that meets every week. 

The city’s Therapeutic Recreation Program offers action track chairs and weekly accessible hikes. Through Visit Colorado Springs, Kristy learned about rugged off-road adaptive vehicles available for free with advance signup. “They’re like a little four-wheeler — it’s so cool,” she said.

She’s also begun collaborating with a local tubing and whitewater rafting company to improve their accessibility. “There are businesses already doing great things — and businesses willing to do more. It’s exciting.”

One unexpected highlight? Goat Patch Brewing Company. “They deserve a special shoutout,” Kristy said. “Right on their main page, not hidden anywhere, they have a full accessibility statement.” That statement includes details on ADA-compliant entrances, restrooms, service animal policies, and seating options — even a lowered bar designed for wheelchair users.

“The reason we chose this place is because of your accessibility information,” she told the manager. “We were very impressed.”

From Local Impact to Global Voice

Don’t worry, even though Kristy has been stuck in limbo waiting for a home, she hasn’t stopped working for inclusion across the globe.

Last month, she spoke at the Destinations International annual conference, where her breakout session left an impression. “We had a great turnout,” she said. She was also able to connect with leaders about both the conference space and the hotel accommodations.

This week, she’s heading to Colombia, followed by a trip to Alabama, where more accessibility collaborations are in the works. “There’s good stuff coming. Lots of really, really great things — just gotta get there.”

As TravelAbility’s ambassador, she networks and speaks around the globe to promote accessibility and inclusion in the travel space.