TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Disability Advocates

Announcing the 10 Finalists for InnovateAble 2024

by

Dive into InnovateAble 2024, The Shark Tank of Accessible Travel Tech, on ADA’s 34th Anniversary

Get ready for an inspiring virtual showcase like no other! On July 26, 2024, we’re celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a groundbreaking event that’s all about empowering travel for those with disabilities. “I’m thrilled to announce InnovateAble, a unique pitch fest that’s reminiscent of Shark Tank, but with a twist,” said Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility. “It’s dedicated to showcasing assistive technology, services and innovations that promise to revolutionize travel for people with disabilities and seniors.”

Event Details:

  • Date: July 26, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific Time on Zoom
  • Format: Quick-fire 3-minute pitches with a 7-minute Q&A

This event is not just a competition: it’s a beacon of innovation, organized by the forward-thinkers at TravelAbility. The TravelAbility team spent hours researching over 45 companies/products and after an exhaustive process selected 12 finalists to present to our panel of judges. We’re proud to share that past participants have raised a staggering $563.4 million in funding, proving that these innovations are not just visionary but also viable.

GlidanceThe world’s first self-guided mobility aid combines AI and sensor technology to create the first robotic guide dog.
Travel GeniusLocation intelligence platform that detects accessibility features using AI technology.
Hero HingeBattery operated units inserted in door hinges to automate doors so they can be opened with push-button, by app or by voice.
RollzCreates colorfully innovative rollators that can be converted to wheelchairs.
360 EmpowerAI enabled ASL interpreters in multiple-language avatars that come in via video to provide ASL interpretation.
KultureCityThe leading non-profit for training on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with hidden disabilities.
Be My EyesConnects blind or visually impaired individuals with AI mobile app for real-time video interpretation via video calls.
ContactaA network of hearing loop installers throughout North America and Europe.
True OmniAdding accessibility to kiosks at visitor centers, welcome centers and information desks.
CTI One Corp:AI enabled rollators for that can be summoned from your phone.
Ostrum TechAirport assistance platform which brings all aviation stakeholders and passengers together.
WhimbleProviding trained companions for travel and accessibility concierges for events and festivals.

Meet Our Esteemed 2024 InnovateAble Judges: 
Chris Maher, Founder, Samaritan Partners Investment Fund
Caryl Stern, Chief Impact Officer, LionTree Capital (formerly Executive Director of The Walton Family Foundation and Unicef)
Betty Siegel, Director of Office of  Accessibility, the Kennedy Center for the Arts and founder of the LEAD Conference, accessibility solutions for cultural and arts institutions
Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
Olivia Thomaszewski, Age Tech Collaborative, AARP
Zach Curry, VP Rooms Operations and Guest Experience, Marriott Corporation
Katy Roberts, Portfolio Manager, Racoon Media Group/Abilities Expo
 
 
About TravelAbility
TravelAbility provides thought leadership in accessible travel to improve the lives of people of ALL abilities and ALL ages, and aims to inspire and educate the travel industry to provide accessible experiences to help people with disabilities enjoy travel as much as everyone else. TravelAbility is also the host of the Emerging Markets Summit, the premier industry conference on accessible travel. The 2024 Summit will be held in San Francisco on Nov.13-15th at the Argonaut Hotel. For more information, visit www.travelability.net.
 
Contact: Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbility. jake@travelability.net. +1 415-339-0578

Accessibility Champion: Alan Fyall

by

Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Head shot of Dr. Alan Fyall

“The experience enables our students to really come to grips with the opportunities and challenges of accessible travel in their workplace.”

Q1. What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?

My first engagement with accessibility in travel was through work with colleagues in the U.K. exploring ways in which destinations could/should become more dementia-friendly. This experience inspired me ask many questions here in the U.S. about what is being done and with what level of success. In many ways, I was pleasantly surprised at the energy driving the accessibility agenda in travel, with most people driven by a personal connection to disability–including me. My teenage years were heavily shaped by severe scoliosis and the need to wear a “Boston Brace” 23 hours a day. Although not classified as disabled, my restricted movement caused by the brace opened my eyes to what other people less fortunate than me were experiencing. That generated in me a deep empathy for people with disabilities and the need to create an environment as supportive as possible so that they could lead meaningful and productive lives.

Q2.  What is the goal of your organization?

As a college, our goal is to “educate and develop future generations of global hospitality leaders through innovative programs, knowledge creation through research, and dynamic worldwide industry and community partnerships”. Through our extensive internship program, every student on campus is obliged to complete a module on travel accessibility. This module builds on their classroom knowledge and introduces them to the core lessons of the TravelAbility Playbook in their in-person, industry internship environment! Rather than being a textbook exercise, the experience enables our students to really come to grips with the opportunities and challenges of accessible travel in their workplace. Our students have also started to complete accessibility assessments with Wheel The World. They are getting an inside look at the work that underpins their success of one of the most comprehensive providers of accessible travel experiences in the world.

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?

The biggest obstacle is the size of the travel industry itself and the sheer number of stakeholders to engage and educate! TravelAbility is doing an amazing job in spreading the word with the Federal Government pushing the need for the industry to address the three pillars of accessible travel, namely: accessible facilities; accessible customer service; accessibility information. From a place perspective, Destinations International are leading the charge with accessibility as a key component of their social impact agenda while Visit Florida have set a laudable goal for Florida to be the most accessible state by 2030!

Q4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Although we remain at the beginning of our journey of introducing our students to accessible travel, to date more than 1,000 have completed their accessible travel module and so have the necessary foundational knowledge to be accessible changemakers of the future.

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

For 100% inspiration I follow Cory Lee, “curbfreecorylee”. His incredible journeys around the world just prove what can be achieved with single-minded determination to enjoy life to the full, no matter what the challenge or impairment. This also holds true for Alvaro Silberstein who out of personal adversity formed Wheel The World, which is changing lives in the space of accessible travel!

Accessibility Champion: Charles Hammerman

by

President and CEO, Disability Opportunity Fund

Head shot of Charles Hammerman

“The Schoolhouse Hotel is the first full-service boutique in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and the first all-ADA compliant hotel in the world.”

Q1.  What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?

I am a former Merrill Lynch professional and former Assistant United States Attorney as well as being the father of a child with cerebral palsy, I launched The Disability Opportunity Fund in 2007. It is a national nonprofit  that provides financing, technical services, and advocacy to increase access to appropriate and affordable housing and related services for people with disabilities. The fund was incubated under the umbrella of the Burton Blatt Institute of Syracuse University, named after my late uncle who was a pioneering disability researcher and advocate.

Q2.  What is the goal of your organization?

As a Nationally Certified CDFI, DOF’s mission is to provide financial products, technical assistance, equity investment and financial advisory services that improve the quality of life and build personal wealth for people with disabilities and their families, as well as supporting organizations serving this market.

 Q4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

The Schoolhouse Hotel is the first full-service boutique in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and the first all-ADA compliant hotel in the world. We transformed the historic White Sulphur Springs schoolhouse into a hub for the community and visitors alike. The hotel features 30 uniquely appointed guest rooms and suites; the Varsity Club restaurant/grill; the Rooftop Bar serving small plates and cocktails in the open air before stunning mountain views; and flexible ballroom and meeting space for weddings, conferences, and other events.  We believe The Schoolhouse Hotel showcases the best of West Virginia hospitality and lodging in a completely inclusive atmosphere.

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

The question is not really applicable to our work. The Schoolhouse Hotel is fully accessible and addresses the needs of our guests. We are very proud of being an example to other hospitality operators to also be inclusive.

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

We follow accelerators focused on disabilities like Multiple https://www.multiplehub.org/ and Enabled Ventures https://www.enableventures.vc/

Coldplay leads the way in making concerts more enjoyable for deaf fans with Vibrating Vests

by

In addition to a crew of signers, the shows in Singapore included handouts of vibrating vests. Will “sound shirts” be next?

Coldplay front man Chris Martin signed two songs, joining a lively team of sign language interpreters at the Singapore concert

A recent commentary in Channel News Asia lauded Coldplay’s January concerts in Singapore “game changing” for their outreach to deaf and hard of hearing fans. The three performances at the National Stadium included a team of very expressive signers including front man Chris Martin, who signed two of the band’s songs. The venue also distributed vibrating vests to allow deaf individuals to feel the beat. 

Read more here.

Accessibility Champion: Apoorva Gandhi

by

Head shot of Accessibility Champion: Apoorva Gandhi

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.