TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Disability Advocates

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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Advice Line: Lessons with Kristy Durso Part Five

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Lesson 5: Show, Don’t Tell – Representation that Resonates

Instead of asking, ‘Is this accessible?’ try asking, ‘How can I help you do what you came here to do?’

How can destinations use marketing content to build trust with travelers who have disabilities?

Marketing plays a huge role in accessibility. And I don’t just mean making sure your website is technically usable. It’s about trust.

When I land on a destination’s site, and I don’t see visual descriptions on images, or the videos don’t have captions, or the accessibility page is hidden in the footer, it tells me everything I need to know. It says, “We haven’t thought this through.” That’s why accessible web design and inclusive web development matter so much—not just for compliance, but to signal that everyone is welcome, and someone has actually thought this through.

So here’s where I’d start:

  • Every photo should include a visual description and alternative text.
  • Every video should have closed captions, not just for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but for everyone. (Seriously, so many people watch videos with captions now. Even my kids do.)
  • Accessibility info should be easy to find. Don’t bury it. Make it visible and proud.
  • Representation matters. Don’t just include people with disabilities—feature them authentically.

Market research already shows people are more likely to buy a product when they see someone like themselves using it. So representation isn’t just a “nice to have.” It drives engagement.

But here’s the key: don’t make the disability the center of the story.

My favorite marketing videos are the ones where I’m just having fun. Rolling through a destination, interacting, enjoying myself. Maybe you see my wheelchair, maybe you don’t. Maybe someone’s using ASL or a white cane. The point is that accessibility is part of the experience—it’s not the headline.

When you do that, you speak to everyone. You make the story feel human, not performative.

I’ve made plenty of promotional videos that were more like infomercials: “Come here, we’re accessible!” They’re fine. But they don’t move people the way authentic stories do.

One of my favorite videos didn’t even mention my wheelchair. I just said: “If you can’t walk, you roll. If you can’t see, you listen. If you can’t hear, you observe.”

That speaks to everyone. It’s not about disability, it’s about living fully. And that’s what travel should be. Bringing people together.

When destinations lean into inclusive storytelling, they don’t just reach people with disabilities. They reach families, friends, caregivers and anyone who values empathy and openness.

It’s good storytelling. It’s good marketing. And it’s how we close the gap between invitation and inclusion.

Check back next month for Part Six! Noble Studios conducted a thorough interview with Kristy Durso going over the many facets of creating a destination that is truly for everyone. This series is pulled directly from the interview. Check out the archives for the rest of the series. Click here for the full interview. 

Kristy Durso is sitting in her wheelchair on the beach, smiling over her shoulder with the beautiful turquoise ocean in the background.

Featured public speaker, accessibilities advocate, entrepreneur, Army veteran, and military wife Kristy Durso is Travelability’s Ambassedor and owns and operates Incredible Memories Travel, a full-service travel agency that assists everyone, including those with accessibility needs. She has three children, one who has autoimmune issues and food allergies, another on the spectrum, and another with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. 

Houston Vandergriff Named Official Photographer for the 2025 TravelAbility Summit

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A smiling man with glasses wearing an orange jacket holds a black camera while standing on a city street. Behind him is a blurred urban scene with historic brick buildings, parked cars, and a typical downtown streetscape.

We’re thrilled to announce that Houston Vandergriff of Downs and Towns has been named the official photographer for the 2025 TravelAbility Summit.

Houston is an award-winning photographer, advocate, traveler, and artist — a talented young man who also happens to have Down syndrome. He has a long history with TravelAbility, from supporting the movement early on, to speaking at the Summit, and joining the advisory board. This next step feels like a natural extension of a partnership built on shared vision and creativity.

Houston has traveled far and wide, capturing the beauty of the world through his lens. We’re excited to see the 2025 Summit through Houston’s eyes.

Planning Accessible FAM Trips: Expert Tips from the 2024 TravelAbility Summit

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Last year’s TravelAbility Summit brought together disability influencers, destinations, and travel professionals in hands-on sessions, panels, and networking opportunities. One highlight was the FAM trip presentation, designed to help destinations and creators get the most out of these collaborative experiences. It offered practical guidance on planning your first FAM trip and making the most of influencer collaborations.

Building on that momentum, the 2025 TravelAbility Summit will bring even more opportunities to connect and learn. Taking place October 13–15 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, this year’s Summit features:

  • Panel discussions with industry leaders and influencers sharing best practices
  • Speed-dating sessions connecting destinations directly with creators
  • Hands-on training for growing influencers on how to work effectively with destinations

Watch the video and summary below from last year’s FAM Trip Presentation to help you to prepare for your first FAM trip, before booking your next influencer.

Summary

  • 📣 Reframing the Session Title – Introduction and highlighting that all fam trips—especially accessible ones—can be both tricky and rewarding to plan.
    ➤ Session Introduction
  • 🧳 Campaign with North Alabama – Highlights a 2025 yearlong campaign involving 10 creators to promote accessible experiences in North Alabama.
    ➤ North Alabama Campaign Overview
  • ✅ Basic Fam Trip Planning – Reviews essential planning steps: define objectives, carefully select creators, manage logistics, set content expectations, and measure ROI.
    ➤ Fam Planning Essentials
  • 💬 Matchmaker: Creators and Content – Urges planners to choose creators who align with their mission rather than just follower count, valuing niche engagement.
    ➤ Creator Alignment Strategy
  • 🛎️ Ensure True Accessibility – Check properties and activities for actual, not assumed, accessibility—including sensory needs—before the trip.
    ➤ Checking for True Accessibility
  • 🧠 Plan with Sensory Awareness – Discusses the importance of pacing and sensory-friendly planning to avoid overwhelming creators.
    ➤ Pacing & Sensory Inclusion
  • 🧍‍♂️ Train Partners on Etiquette – Educate hospitality partners on disability etiquette and guest preferences, down to details like greetings and interaction style.
    ➤ Partner Training on Inclusion
  • 🤝 Appoint On-Site Support – Assign a trained liaison to support creators during the visit, respecting personal boundaries and logistical needs.
    ➤ On-Site Support Role
  • ⌛ Create Space to Create – Schedule downtime for influencers to recharge and produce quality content, avoiding overstuffed itineraries.
    ➤ Build in Creation Time
  • 🏛️ Communicate Access Details Honestly – Inform creators of what is and isn’t accessible so they can decide how to engage with each experience.
    ➤ Transparent Access Communication
  • 🎁 Intentional Surprises & Emotional Hooks – Share examples of emotionally resonant experiences that built loyalty and lasting relationships with creators.
    ➤ Meaningful Surprise Stories
  • 📈 Share Results Widely – Encourage destinations to share content performance and creator praise to build future support and advocacy.
    ➤ Sharing & Advocacy

Insights Based on Numbers

  • 📊 ROI measurement and content repurposing are often neglected, undercutting the long-term value of influencer investments.
  • 🤝 Emotional experiences during trips drive ongoing creator advocacy—highlighting the power of authentic connection over logistics.

September Ambassador Report: On the Road with Kristy Durso

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Coffee and inclusion brewing in Colombia

Kristy Durso has seen plenty of destinations roll out the welcome mat for accessible tourism, but her recent trip to Colombia was something different: the country’s very first accessibility-focused FAM.

Hosted by PROColombia, the trip brought together a diverse group of travel professionals from the U.S., Spain, Portugal, and Argentina. Some were disability-owned travel agency leaders and some came armed with tape measures and accessibility checklists in hand.

Kristy was the only participant on the accessibility FAM trip with a physical disability, giving her a unique perspective on how theory translated into practice.

Over the course of the trip, the group explored three regions—each offering surprising accessibility in a country without ADA-style regulations. In the coffee region, Kristy rolled through a plantation, made chocolate, and sampled coffee alongside world-class cuisine in restaurants that were both inclusive and innovative. One standout stop: a holistic dining experience owned by a disabled entrepreneur, featuring healing foods and accessibility built into the very ethos of the restaurant.

The experiences were creative and immersive. A blind guide led a birdwatching tour. A ceremonial tree-planting introduced visitors to Colombia’s iconic wax palms—the world’s tallest palm species. Coffee and food tastings were reimagined as “blind” experiences, inviting guests to explore through senses beyond sight.

In Medellín, accessibility met adventure. A city tour using trike-style vehicles offered detachable motors, similar to Kristy’s Firefly, that clipped directly to manual wheelchairs. Riders could glide alongside their peers without transferring, simply detaching the motor when stopping at restaurants or attractions.

The trip wrapped up in Bogotá with strategic conversations. Kristy met with DMOs and hoteliers eager to learn what worked and what needed improvement. Her expertise was not only welcomed but invited—three tour operators asked her to collaborate on developing new accessible tour options, and PROColombia requested her ongoing partnership. 

Clic Air, a Colombian national airline, stood out above most U.S. airlines with their wheelchair policy. The carrier has a dedicated cabin space where rigid-frame wheelchairs can be safely secured for the entire flight. While passengers still transfer to their seat, the chair itself travels in-cabin—no questions asked.

Kristy returned from Colombia energized by both the progress already in motion and the genuine interest in building a more accessible future. With AFRO Tourism, LGBTQ+ travel, and now accessibility all priorities for PROColombia, the country is positioning itself as a leader in inclusive tourism across the Americas.

Kristy Durso is sitting in her wheelchair on the beach, smiling over her shoulder with the beautiful turquoise ocean in the background.

Meet Kristy: Kristy is a writer, speaker, and disability travel advisor. She has experience across multiple disabilities traveling as a wheelchair user with a pace-maker along with her children with intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, and over 30 food allergies. 

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