TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

COVID-19

“Achoo! Will Plexiglass Dividers Make Post- Pandemic Airlines Feel Safe?’

by

A mock-up of an interior with 3 seats, the middle turned in the opposite direction. Pretty genius! illustration courtesy Avio Interiors

The New York Post reports on an Italian company, Avio Interiors, that’s already designed the latest in virus-proof comfortable airplane seating. While there are no wheelchairs seats yet, there are some serious upgrades including more space and plastic germ shields. (You have no idea how far a sneeze droplet can travel until you’ve ridden the New York City subway.)

OUR TAKE: If airlines are going to go back to cattle car mode to survive, adding plexiglass seat dividers to their existing protocols and create opposing-facing middle seats may at least one way to mitigate the risk of infection 

Radical New Ideas for Flying Post Covid-19

by

a couple who are asian wearing masks heading to a baggage claim

Better leave some extra time before you board that flight. NPR’s Marketplace explores what systems may be in place to protect you and your fellow passengers when flying takes off again. Read more.

Major Tour Operator Using “Well Being Directors” to Oversee Safety on Trips

by

A set of items laid out in preparation for a trip including jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, passport, disinfectant, mask, gloves, shirt

The Travel Corporation, which owns 30 travel brands, announced new wellbeing policies for its guided vacations.  The Well-being Directors will be trained in supplier engagement and compliance, daily monitoring of distancing, and hygiene standards. They will offer personal support to guests who have any questions or concerns relating to wellbeing measures while traveling. See more.

5 Accessible Design Changes Most DMOs Don’t Think About (but should)

by

group of adults some using a wheelchair some using a cane talk in the center of a large lobby

Before writer Brad McCannell explains five architectural changes that work for everyone, he points out his pet peeve. That would be when someone he is meeting with about building accessibility says, ‘I’m already accessible because my building meets code’. His story focuses on making meaningful changes to buildings. Read his full post, here.

OUR TAKE: A few facts to keep in mind when planning accessibility design in the age of concurrent pandemics, wildfires, tornadoes, and murderous hornet invasions. First, you’d best have an emergency plan for everyone, including people with disabilities. (The ADA law doesn’t stipulate that you must.)  Second, implementing a design that’s accessible for all should not only about wheelchair access. Second, according to the Centers for Disease Control, while it’s true that 13.7% of people with disabilities use a wheelchair. It’s on you to think about agility, hearing, vision, and cognition, too. Roughly 30 million Americans said they had difficulty climbing stairs or used a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker according to the last nationwide census.

To read more on this topic, visit our archive of disability advocates, here.

Restarting Travel: What the U.S. Can Learn from China

by

With China’s Covid-19 lockdown over, there will be some early lessons to learn from them. In the past two weeks, consumer confidence in travel has grown, according to a recent report from McKinsey and Company. The cautiously optimistic tone reflects how fragile both wellness and willingness are around the globe. The world is watching as the Chinese navigate their new normal. Read more, here. The report summarizes trends in the hotel, airline, and younger returns in China.

OUR TAKE: It’s wonderful to read such positive statistics and insights in the McKinsey report.  One insight that stuck with us: “When a lockdown ends, the first thing people want to spend money on is eating out. The second is travel. Our consumer survey shows that confidence in domestic travel rose by 60 percent over the past two weeks.” The focus is on the regional traveler who is not yet ready to go beyond domestic trips this summer. Industry forecasts show the same to be true in the U.S.