Triumphs of our own – How the TravelAbility Community is Leading Accessibility Innovators in Transforming Travel and Tourism Worldwide
Disability Advocates
Popular Internet Mom Blogger Responds to the Gus Walz Controversy
Read the story and watch the video in USA Today
Let’s talk about the folks who are trying to backtrack on mocking Gus Walz
because they didn’t know he had a disability.
Right. Okay. So …
Let’s start with the fact that he’s a seventeen year old kid who was so proud
of his dad, whom he obviously loves deeply, that he was moved to tears.
That’s beautiful, and a hell of a testament to their relationship.
But sure, some people thought his reaction was over the top and “weird.”
And therefore fair game. Until they heard he has a disability.
(So, to recap, it would have been a-okay in that crowd to bully a typical kid
for *acting atypical* but maybe he should be off limits now that they know
he has a diagnosis.)
Pull up a chair, won’t you, friends?
Being an accepting, inclusive, and not completely shitty human isn’t about
having access to everyone’s medical records. It’s about humanity. It’s about
not having to know that there’s a label for a fellow human’s unique
constellation of strengths and challenges in order to approach them with
compassion.
It’s about not needing an explanation for why someone comes across a little
– or a lot – differently from the average bear in order to indulge their quirks,
celebrate their differences, support their challenges and accommodate their
access needs, to give them extra time and love and leeway.
Labels / diagnoses / identities are important and valid and helpful in a million
different ways, but they shouldn’t ever be the ticket that we demand from
others before granting them entry into the arena of our empathy. The only
fare needed is humanity.
So lay off the kid. Not just because he has a disability, but because he’s
human, and that’s reason enough.
Undiscovered America TV Features Episode on Accessibility
Celebrating Accessibility Champions in Travel!
TravelAbility is thrilled to have contributed to the curation of destinations and experts featured in the Accessibility episode of Undiscovered America. This exciting episode will be broadcasted to 107 million households this week and will also be available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.
A big congratulations to the following champions who have made inclusion and accessibility a fundamental principle of their work:
Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:Your dedication to creating a more inclusive future is truly inspiring!
Kevin Wright, VP Brand Stewardship Travel Oregon: Thank you for your commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access for all.
Alison Brooks,VP Destination Experience & Advocacy Visit Mesa : Your innovative approach to accessibility has made a significant impact.
Kristy Durso, Founder Incredible Memories Travel: Your advocacy for accessible travel is making a difference!
News from the TravelAbility Community
Triumphs of our own – How the TravelAbility Community is leading Accessibility Innovators in Transforming Travel and Tourism Worldwide.
Wheel the World founder Wins Entrepreneur of the Year at annual EDDY Awards in Atlanta.
Winners of the second annual EDDIE awards, short for Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Diverse and Inclusive Excellence, are “not scared of breaking down doors, actually, demolishing doors.” Read about Silberstein and the other nominees, here.
IBCCES Announces Certifications of Dubai and Orlando Airports.
Our partners at IBCCES, the only credentialing organization in the autism field, have had a very busy quarter. Recently, they’ve announced certifications including Dubai Airport, Orlando airport authority, our first Certified attractions in Korea and Macau, just to name a few. You can read about more of their partners, here.
Ed Harris, Lancaster’s Tourism Maestro, Turns Crisis into Triumph.
Discover Lancaster’s CEO took tourism to the next level, driving record growth and setting a new standard for marketing innovation, even in the midst of a pandemic. Read how, here.
Jupiter Rebuilds Beach Walkovers to Help People in Wheelchairs.
Palm Beaches is making waves and redefining shorelines with their inclusivity movement. Find out how, here.
National Parks Becoming More Autism Friendly.
Customized Itineraries, visual schedules, sensory guides, quiet rooms, and sensory-friendly days are a great starting place for welcoming the neurodiverse into the great outdoors. Read how national parks are embracing inclusivity, here.
Accessibility at Vancouver Airport.
YVR is the first airport to receive an ‘Accessibility Certified Gold’ rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program. Read about their commitment to exceeding standards, here.
Wheel The World, Easy Access Travel and Tapooz Recommended by AARP as Top Tour Companies for Travelers with Physical Challenges.
AARP knows what travelers with mobility issues need to explore the world, and the TravelAbility community is bridging the gap. Learn how, here.
New on Accessible DMO Landing Pages:
San Francisco Travel has organized their accessibility feature in a unique and creative way. See it here.
Question of the Month: Where Have You Seen the ROI for Accessibility?
Robert Kneschke | Stylephotographs
Aside from “The Right Thing to Do,” where have you seen a return on investment (ROI) for accessibility? With the increasing attention on accessibility in the media and the proliferation of assistive technology, innovations, and amenities, disability awareness today is at a similar stage as sustainability was five years ago. We reached out to several members of the Destination A11y Club—a consortium of DMOs committed to proactively promoting accessibility—to learn about the ROI they are experiencing.
Answers from Destination A11y Club Members:
Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director, Visit Charlottesville/Albemarle:
- “Designing and promoting accessible experiences allows communities to access new audiences. These audiences may already be aware of your destination and want to travel there but may be unaware of how. By answering how, you’re addressing that demand and growing word-of-mouth through an often-close-knit community.”
“Designing and promoting accessible experiences allows communities to access new audiences. These audiences may already be aware of your destination and want to travel there but may be unaware of how.”
Ed Harris, President and CEO, Visit Lancaster:
- Top 5 Reasons for Accessibility ROI:
- More respect from internal staff members and community stakeholders.
- Positive feedback and relationships with elected officials.
- Compliance with ADA regulations.
- Positive PR and media placements.
- Attracting a more diverse population.
Patrick Harrison, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Tampa Bay:
- “At the end of the day, this is a money business, so hotel bookings are the ROI. The number of travelers with accessible needs is enormous, and they want to travel and spend their money.”
Brett Laiken, VP Marketing, Visit Florida:
- “Seeing people comment on social media about accessibility in Florida is what I look for. And obviously, bookings through Wheel the World.”
Jason Holic, Sr. VP, Operations and Community Engagement, Experience Kissimmee:
- “Ultimately, we’d like to measure ROI in incremental room nights. Until we can achieve that through co-ops and partner booking data, ROI comes from additional partner engagement opportunities, co-op campaign matching funds, and destination marketing thought leadership.”
Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Myrtle Beach:
- For stakeholders (hotels and attractions):
- A massive reduction in the risk of costly lawsuits.
- A significant untapped market of people with disabilities who represent potential customers and employees. Accessibility opens the door to serving this segment and boosting market share.
- Consumers with disabilities offer high value due to their strong ties to their community and increased likelihood of repeat visits.
- Investing in accessibility demonstrates commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, enhancing brand image and fostering customer loyalty.
Julie Pingston, President and CEO, Visit Lansing:
- “I spoke twice at the Michigan Tourism Conference this week on accessibility, sharing our ‘why’ for developing and promoting accessibility:
- It connects to our organizational goal of being welcoming to all.
- We’re addressing the needs of an emerging market for travel to our destination.”
Patrick Lennon, VP Marketing, Visit Fairfax:
- “As part of our accessibility involvement with the DAC, we reached out to various county and city manager departments to learn about the features and services they’ve developed for people with disabilities. This has resulted in new relationships with city staff, where their accessible features are now being promoted through us.”
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