TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Destination of the Month

Wheel the World’s First “Accessibility Verified” State: Oregon

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Oregon just made history. Thanks to a partnership between Travel Oregon and Wheel the World, the state has become the first in the nation to achieve “Accessibility Verified” status, a milestone that puts inclusion front and center in the tourism landscape.

This wasn’t a token effort. Over the past year, Wheel the World has conducted on-the-ground accessibility assessments at more than 750 hotels, restaurants, attractions, and welcome centers across 43 Oregon communities. These evaluations go beyond ADA checkboxes or self-reported claims. Each site was measured and verified for mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive accessibility, giving travelers with disabilities reliable information to plan trips with money-back guarantee level confidence.

The result: Oregon is now the first state where travelers can map out entire itineraries online through Wheel the World and Travel Oregon, with accessibility information built into every step – from outdoor adventures to culinary stops and cultural landmarks.

Kevin Wright, VP of Brand Stewardship at Travel Oregon, called the designation “a reflection of Oregon’s deep and ongoing commitment to welcoming all travelers.”

Wheel the World’s CEO & Co-founder Alvaro Silberstein underscored the ripple effect: “By becoming the first state to achieve Accessibility Verified status, Oregon is setting a precedent and proving how powerful this cycle can be for travelers and for the communities that welcome them.”

For Wheel the World, this win with Travel Oregon is more than just a badge. It’s proof that accessibility can be scaled statewide, benefiting both travelers and local businesses. For Oregon, it’s a brand differentiator—positioning the state as a leader in inclusive tourism.

Businesses across Oregon are invited to join the program, further expanding the network of verified sites. Meanwhile, travelers can now browse and book Oregon’s accessible experiences directly on traveloregon.com and wheeltheworld.com, complete with detailed listings, AI-powered accessibility profiles, and 24-hour support.

Bottom line: Oregon just set the bar. The question now is: which state will be next?

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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!

Ann Arbor Area Becomes First Destination in Michigan to Achieve “Destination Verified” Status for Accessible Travel

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Ann Arbor leads the way with Wheel the World’s verification program.

Ann Arbor, MI – (November 18, 2024) The greater Ann Arbor area proudly announces its recognition as the first destination in Michigan to achieve the “Destination Verified” status with Wheel the World, a global accessibility platform. This designation, supported by the Pure Michigan Accessible Traveler Grant, highlights the region’s commitment to accessible tourism for travelers with physical, cognitive, and invisible disabilities.

The Wheel the World “Destination Verified” status recognizes communities that have undergone a rigorous, third-party accessibility assessment. In the Ann Arbor area, dozens of businesses, attractions, and hotels received confidential assessments led by the Disability Network of Washtenaw Monroe Livingston (DNWML), whose team was trained by Wheel the World to conduct thorough evaluations. These listings now appear on Wheel the World’s global platform, allowing visitors to easily identify accessible features at hotels, attractions, restaurants and other businesses. 

The Wheel the World “Destination Verified” status recognizes communities that have undergone a rigorous, third-party accessibility assessment.

“Being the first in Michigan to achieve this status is an incredible milestone,” said Sarah Miller, President & CEO of Destination Ann Arbor. “Our partnership with Wheel the World reflects our dedication to making our communities in Washtenaw County a welcoming, inclusive destination where all travelers can enjoy our vibrant community and experiences.” 

The Pure Michigan Accessible Traveler Grant provided essential support for this initiative, aligning with the state’s broader mission to enhance accessible travel throughout Michigan. “Accessibility is at the heart of our mission to ensure that travel is accessible to everyone, and all are welcome in Pure Michigan,” said Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We are thrilled to congratulate Destination Ann Arbor on achieving Destination Verified status and will look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on our efforts to promote accessible and inclusive travel experiences across the state.”

In partnership with the Disability Network of Washtenaw Monroe Livingston, local assessors were trained by Wheel the World to evaluate accessibility features across businesses, capturing over 200 different data points. These assessments go beyond standard ADA compliance to provide detailed and personalized accessibility information. For example, the evaluations include mapping out hotel bed heights, as some individuals require beds that are lower to the ground for safe transfers, while others may need beds that are higher. Because everyone’s accessibility needs vary, travelers using the Wheel the World platform can search for accommodations and attractions tailored to their specific requirements. “We’re pleased to support this initiative by assessing a wide range of local businesses and work to create a culture of accessibility in our community,” said Alex Gossage, Executive Director of the Disability Network of Washtenaw Monroe Livingston. “This project highlights the importance of creating a destination that values and prioritizes accessibility and inclusion for everyone.”

Participating businesses received detailed accessibility assessments and access to the Wheel the World Academy—a series of training videos on accessibility best practices, dispelling myths, and enhancing understanding around accessibility. These resources enable businesses to better meet the needs of travelers of all abilities, supporting the community’s long-term commitment to inclusivity.

“Achieving the ‘Destination Verified’ status is a testament to the Ann Arbor area’s dedication to accessible tourism,” said Camilo Navarro, Co-Founder of Wheel the World. “Through our joint efforts, we’re making it easier for travelers with accessibility needs to explore and enjoy the destination with confidence.”

The Ann Arbor area’s new “Destination Verified” status with Wheel the World sets a statewide precedent for accessible travel and signals a significant step toward more inclusive tourism throughout Michigan. For more information about the Ann Arbor area’s accessible travel options and partnership with Wheel the World, visit: https://www.annarbor.org/wheel-the-world/ 

CONTACT:

Chad Wiebesick, Director of Public Affairs 

(734) 995-7281

cwiebesick@annarbor.org

http://www.AnnArbor.org

Accessible Destination Landing Pages We Love and Why: Visit the Palm Beaches

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Screen shot of the accessibility landing page: A man with an artificial leg pointing to something in a large fish tank as he talks to his young boy.

Five things we love about the Palm Beaches landing page:

  1. It’s comprehensiveness! Everything from nature trails to museums to transportation etc. 
  2. Details, details, details. Sensory-friendly bathrooms without hand air dryers or auto-flush toilets; the width of bike paths; service animal policies
  3. The personal touch. First person itineraries by Cory Lee, deaf visitor Lily Yu, and local expert Cayetana Uranga, who has CP. And that’s just for starters!
  4. Easy to navigate. Nothing better than a ton of information that is clearly organized. 
  5. Did we mention comprehensiveness? Specific concrete information related to vision impairments; deafness; autism; wheelchair accessibility; intellectual disabilities. . .

Accessible Destination of the Month: Lancaster

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Photo of old brick building in Lititz, PA with flowering tree and old fashioned outdoor clock
Lititz, PA in Lancaster County

Lancaster, PA, is the epicenter of Amish Culture in the United States and there’s so much to do for visitors with disabilities.   Click here Discover Lancaster County, PA

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