Disability Advocates

Accessibility Champion: Apoorva Gandhi

March 30, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

Senior Vice President, Multicultural Affairs, Social Impact and Business Councils, Marriott International

Note: This interview is part of an ongoing series featuring interviews with 24 Champions of Accessibility for 2024 selected and celebrated by TravelAbility.

Q 1. What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?

I have been connected to disability almost my entire life. One of my oldest and best family friends is deaf as well as my youngest daughter. This fuels my passion to do my part to create a world that is inclusive, empathetic, and welcoming to all. I have seen first-hand the innovative skills of people with disabilities, and I am proud to work to create business inclusion for all.

Q 2. What is the goal of your organization?

Marriott International’s goal is to connect people through the power of travel. As part of that, we work to welcome all to our hotels no matter who you are, where you come from, what your abilities are or who you love. We want all to have a sense of belonging when you come through our doors. Additionally, our core values include putting people first and serving our world. One way we do that is through our Serve360 social impact and sustainability global program.

Q3: Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers you face around accessibility and what actions/initiatives are you taking to address them?

It is generally important to make sure that when the topic of inclusion arises that the disability community is included. Disability exists across all demographics and backgrounds. I work to ensure that the voices and opinions of this important community are contributed to the venues and discussions that I am in.

Q4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

One of the projects I am most proud of is our ‘Room for All’, where we worked with the disability community to listen, try to understand, and practice inclusive design to improve the travel experience for travelers with disabilities. We created an accessible hotel room that was welcoming, elegant, and comfortable. We believe in the idea of ‘nothing about us without us’ and we’re honored to host many travelers of all abilities to our HQ and hotels to listen and learn about accessibility and help us evolve how we inclusively welcome all.

Q5: Who do you follow? Name an organization/company/individual you look to for ideas or inspiration.

I am inspired by the example of my parents who came to the United States as immigrants back in the 1960’s. Through the great generosity of the United States and its people, their hard work and sacrifice, they were able to create a life full of opportunity for my sister and me. Their story inspires me and allows me to stand on their shoulders daily and to pay it forward.

News from the TravelAbility Movement: Recognitions, People, Events, Grants

March 4, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

Photo of a beach scene behind the headline "Wheelchair-Accessible Beach Towns"

Best wheelchair-accessible beach towns?

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Lincoln City Oregon make the list

Tourism for All training: First cohort graduates from innovative professional development

Program developed by Charlottesville CVB and Destination International

Airbnb’s most popular accessible rentals:

TravelAbility Advisor Suzanne Edwards of Airbnb comments on the growing popularity of Airbnb’s Adaptive category

Head shot of John Morris on top of a cityscape of Fort Wayne

Visit Fort Wayne Event:

John Morris to deliver keynote at Visit Fort Wayne’s Power of Tourism event in May

Dating with Disabilities:

TravelAbility Advisor Chelsea Bear interviewed for PBS Newshour segment

Destination A11Y

Notes from the Destination A11Y Club Winter Meeting

Was 2023 The Year That Accessibility Entered the Mainstream Zeitgeist?

January 29, 2024 by Dan Tobin

Collage of logos of Conde Nast, the American Pavilion,, BBC, and USA Today accompanied by a pull quote from Jake Steinman: "It feels like the message of accessible travel is a growing part of the general zeitgeist."

This past year felt different. TravelAbility’s growth rate has accelerated in each of our five years, but we seemed to break through some sort of barrier in 2023. Inquiries and invitations have been coming from all directions—from regions and destinations from throughout the US, from large travel and hospitality companies, from new global partners like the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival and Destinations International.

“It does feel like the message of accessible travel is penetrating all parts of the industry and is a growing part of the general zeitgeist,” says Jake Steinman, TravelAbility founder and CEO. “Companies are seeing it as a lucrative market and they are bringing in trainers to improve their service. And, as evidenced by the unprecedented growth of the number of adaptive/assistive technologies as well as ‘Age-Tech’ at this year’s CES in Las Vegas, the level of innovations is staggering.”

Steinman adds that TravelAbility is riding a wave that begins with travelers with disability and advocates. “It’s about quality of life and predictability. Individuals have configured their homes and studied their neighborhood so that they can live independently. But when they go to travel, it’s Russian Roulette because there’s so little information.”

The mainstream media is also paying more attention to the issue, according to Tricia Roth, head of marketing and engagement. “One of the main reasons we’re trying out more of a roundup approach in this issue of Insider is because of the number of articles we’re seeing in major publications, from USA Today to NPR, The New York Times, Condé Nast to the BBC has mushroomed.”

Here is a rundown of some of the markers and highlights that stood out for us in 2023:

A pull quote from Tricia Roth: "The number of articles we're seeing about accessibility in major publications has mushroomed."

Partnering with Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for destination organizations, to reach over 700 destinations worldwide and help them improve their accessibility.
Hosting the sold-out EMS Summit, the premier event for travel professionals and experts to learn, network, and showcase the latest innovations in accessibility. (Our 2024 EMS Summit will be held November 13-15, in San Francisco.)
Growing the Destination A11Y Club, a membership program that provides destinations with access to exclusive content, tools, and support to enhance their accessibility to 18 destinations last year from nine in 2022,
Nearly doubling the content of the Accessibility Playbook, a comprehensive guide that contains over 100 links to videos, presentations, and examples of accessibility best practices from various sectors of the travel industry.
Publishing a special edition of USAE News, a leading publication for association executives, that featured a wrap-up of the EMS Summit and offered exposure to the sponsors and speakers.
Launching Accessible Journeys, a quarterly online magazine in collaboration with Mélange Publishing, that showcases inspiring stories, tips, and destinations for travelers with disabilities. The magazine reached over 1.7 million readers in the summer edition.
Rebranding the Launchpad pitch fest as the InnovateAble Showcase, an annual event that celebrates the most creative and impactful accessibility solutions in the travel industry. The event coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th.
Invite to advise the American Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival about how they can become for accessible in 2024.

In addition to these achievements, TravelAbility also introduced several pilot programs in 2023, such as:

Academic Accessibility Learning module, an online course that uses the Accessibility Playbook to teach hospitality students about accessibility. The course was offered by the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and received such positive feedback from the 800 enrolled students that it will become a graduation requirement for all 3000 students in the future. This program aims to change the way hotels treat and welcome guests with disabilities.
Rethinking Accessibility, a turnkey program that helps destinations discover and highlight their existing accessibility features. The program involved five destinations and revealed 210 new accessibility features that can attract and accommodate travelers with disabilities.
Visit Tampa Accessible Riverwalk Pass, a discount attraction pass that offers access to the most popular and accessible attractions along the Tampa Riverwalk. The pass sold over 1900 tickets and generated $109k in sales in two months.
Introduced the Visit Florida/Wheel the World (WTW) coop program, in which WTW accessibility features in 30 locations in three Florida destinations where the state covered 50% of the costs. The program was offered to all DMO’s in Florida at their annual industry conference and has been expanded to 14 destinations in the state.

TravelAbility is excited to continue its mission of growing accessibility in 2024 and beyond. For more information, visit www.travelability.net.

Best of the Web: News, Info and Inspiration

January 29, 2024 by Dan Tobin

A roundup of the best articles and resources we found in the past month related to disability and accessible travel.

The back of a child on a pier in New York Harbor looking at the NYC skyline through binoculars.

Accessibility Champion: Stuart Butler

January 29, 2024 by Dan Tobin

Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Myrtle Beach

“We work closely with organizations representing individuals with disabilities to ensure that our efforts align with their expectations.”

Note: This interview is part of an ongoing series featuring interviews with 24 Champions of Accessibility for 2024 selected and celebrated by TravelAbility.

Q: When did you begin focusing on accessibility in your destination and what was the impetus for wanting to make your destination more accessible?

A: Since joining the Visit Myrtle Beach team in 2021, accessibility has been at the forefront of our plans. We recognized the importance of inclusivity in tourism. The impetus for our commitment to accessibility was driven by the desire to ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can fully enjoy the natural beauty and hospitality that Myrtle Beach has to offer. We believe that accessible tourism is not just a legal requirement but also a moral obligation, and it aligns with our core values of providing exceptional experiences to all visitors.

Prior to my arrival at VMB, the destination had already done a lot of great work around accessibility, with a significant effort towards sensory-friendly travel. We were the first destination in the country to be sensory-friendly certified, and many of our local businesses have undertaken rigorous training by the Champion Autism Network. Armed with this foundation, and a passion to increase the number of families traveling with neuro-diverse children, we have launched several initiatives to help provide resources and tools for those who may benefit from them.

Q: What are your main responsibilities and tasks in your organization?

As the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Visit Myrtle Beach, my main responsibilities include overseeing the development and execution of marketing strategies to promote the Myrtle Beach area as a premier tourist destination. This involves managing a team of marketing professionals, coordinating advertising campaigns, working with industry partners, and continually evaluating the effectiveness of our marketing efforts. Additionally, I am actively involved in initiatives related to accessibility, ensuring that accessibility is integrated into our marketing strategies and that our destination is welcoming to all. We recently developed the initiative “The Beach is for everyBODY”, which serves as the hub for our accessibility efforts.

Pull quote: "We're very excited about the launch of our all-new 6-part TV series, Traveling the Spectrum."

Q: Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers that you face regarding the advancement of accessibility in your destination? What initiatives have you undertaken to improve accessibility in your destination, and which are you most proud of?

Beyond budget constraints, one of the most challenging obstacles we face is raising awareness and changing perceptions about accessibility. Many people still underestimate the importance of accessible tourism or have misconceptions about what it entails. Overcoming these preconceived notions and encouraging businesses and stakeholders to invest in accessibility measures can be a significant challenge. Additionally, ensuring consistent compliance and guest experience with accessibility standards and providing ongoing training for staff is a continual effort.

4. What initiatives have you undertaken to improve accessibility in your destination, and which are you most proud of?

We have undertaken several initiatives to improve accessibility in Myrtle Beach. Some of the initiatives we are most proud of include:

.Accessible Beach Access Points: We have added ramps and mats to improve beach access for wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges.
Accessible Attractions, Restaurants, and Accommodations: Collaborating with local businesses to ensure they have accessible seating, pathways, and signage.
Accessibility Training: Conducting regular sessions for hospitality and tourism industry professionals to raise awareness about accessibility requirements and best practices.
Accessible Information: Developing and providing information through our website, including tips about accessible accommodations, transportation, and activities.
Community Engagement: Working closely with advocacy groups and organizations representing individuals with disabilities to gather feedback and ensure that our efforts align with their needs and expectations.

Q: Who do you follow? Name an organization/company/individual you look to for ideas or inspiration.

We draw inspiration from a variety of sources, but one organization that has consistently provided valuable insights and inspiration in the field of accessible tourism is TravelAbility. They have a vibrant community and provide resources, playbooks, and real-world examples of successful destinations and businesses that have embraced accessibility.

Another inspirational organization is Champion Autism Network (CAN). Their programs such as the CAN-card and the Autism Travel Club are helping thousands of neuro-diverse families enjoy the numerous benefits of travel.

Q: What are your plans around accessibility in 2024?

In 2024, we are committed to furthering our accessibility initiatives in Visit Myrtle Beach. Our plans include:

Expanding Accessible Infrastructure—at popular tourist attractions as well trails, facilities, and beach access points
Enhancing Digital Accessibility—ensuring that our website and mobile apps meet the highest standards
Collaboration and Advocacy—to foster a culture of accessibility in the community
Accessible Events—working closely with event organizers
Visitor Education—awareness campaigns to educate visitors about our accessibility features

Visit Myrtle Beach is also very proud to introduce two innovative initiatives aimed at promoting neuro-diverse travel experiences:

“Splish Splash, Squark!: Finding Joy in a Sensory-Friendly Vacation” Children’s Book: This delightful book follows a series of neuro-diverse children as they embark on a journey to Myrtle Beach. Through their adventures, readers will witness these remarkable characters facing and overcoming challenges while experiencing the joys of a sensory-friendly vacation.
“Traveling the Spectrum” TV Series: Another exciting initiative for 2024 is the launch of our all-new 6-part TV series, “Traveling the Spectrum.” This groundbreaking series invites viewers to join the journey of three autism families as they take a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. The series explores the challenges and triumphs of neuro-diverse travel, showcasing the welcoming and inclusive environment that Myrtle Beach offers.

These initiatives underscore Visit Myrtle Beach’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive travel environment, where everyone, regardless of their neuro-diversity, can embark on unforgettable journeys and discover the magic of Myrtle Beach.

Disability Advocates

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Best wheelchair-accessible beach towns?

Tourism for All training: First cohort graduates from innovative professional development

Airbnb’s most popular accessible rentals:

Visit Fort Wayne Event:

Dating with Disabilities:

Destination A11Y

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A roundup of the best articles and resources we found in the past month related to disability and accessible travel.

Neuro diversity:

Wheelchair Accessible Tours:

Blind and Low Vision:

Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Disability Resources:

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Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Myrtle Beach

“We work closely with organizations representing individuals with disabilities to ensure that our efforts align with their expectations.”

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