TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Disability Advocates

August News from the TravelAbility Community

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This summer is HOT with TravelAbility community action! From camping to flying, this community is shaking up the very foundations of travel. Check out the latest achievements and well-earned accolades from your fellow changemakers.

Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

A smiling woman reclines on a three-wheeled adaptive recumbent bike on a beachside trail, wearing sunglasses, a gray beanie, green vest, and black pants. Next to her sits a large Bernese Mountain Dog with its tongue out, also appearing to smile. An orange safety flag extends from the back of the bike. The dry, sandy terrain and open sky evoke a sense of freedom, adventure, and companionship in the outdoors.

For me, the saddest part of living with multiple sclerosis and losing mobility was no longer being able to go for walks. I loved strolling in the park, marveling at the stunning diversity of foliage…

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Sassy Wyatt | Guide to Digital Accessibility

Illustrated book cover for “The Smart Marketer’s Guide to Digital Accessibility” by Sassy Wyatt, featuring a red-haired woman and a blind man with a white cane working together at a table, with a guide dog sitting nearby.

I lost my sight at 22. That changed everything. But what made life harder wasn’t the blindness itself, it was trying to live in a world, especially a digital one, that wasn’t designed with disabled people in mind.

Suddenly I couldn’t finish my degree because the platforms weren’t accessible. I couldn’t apply for jobs because the forms weren’t usable. I couldn’t even use social media in the same way as everyone else, not because I didn’t want to, but because the tools weren’t built to include me.

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Visit Lauderdale | Destinations Moving in the Right (Accessible) Direction

Two people in separate boats navigate a misty, tree-lined river at dawn; the scene is quiet and atmospheric, with dense fog obscuring the background and creating a sense of mystery and solitude.

As the demand for inclusive travel continues to grow, TripAdvisor has unveiled a new initiative aimed at providing accessible travel experiences for all. In collaboration with Visit Lauderdale, the site has introduced a dedicated landing page that focuses on accessible destinations and…

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Visit California | Autism Certified Cities and Sensory Friendly Destinations

Children explore a brightly lit, interactive museum space featuring a large circular color mixing machine, colorful light installations, and various hands-on exhibits designed to engage sensory play and learning.

California’s attractions are designed for everyone to enjoy, including neurodivergent travelers and individuals with autism or sensory-processing sensitivities…

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Visit Mesa | MFA Announces First Grant Recipients

Graphic showing a desert landscape with tall cacti in the foreground and a hazy city in the distance. Centered in the image is the official IBCCES Certified Autism Center (CAC) seal. A yellow ribbon below the seal reads “Certified Autism Center.” Curved text above and below the seal reads: “Congratulations Grant Recipients!”

We’re excited to announce the inaugural recipients of the Mesa For All Autism Certification Grant Program!

The Mesa For All Foundation received 10 applications from Mesa-based businesses eager to become Autism Certified. After careful review, the board selected three outstanding recipients. The grant application opened in April 2025 in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Month and closed on June 16…..

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Taylor Aguilar | The Blind Movement TV Show

Logo for "The Blind Movement" featuring bold black text next to a stylized pair of sunglasses with a white cane tucked behind the ear, set against a marbled yellow and white background.

In 2020, filmmaker Taylor Leigh Aguilar suddenly and unexpectedly lost her sight. She took a leave of absence from film school at Loyola Marymount University to attend the Colorado Center for The Blind…

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Visit Lauderdale | Planning an Accessible Trip Just Got Easier with TripAdvisor’s New Tool

An older man in a power wheelchair rolls along a beach access path, holding a large black umbrella for shade and carrying plastic bags on the chair’s handles, with a crowded beach scene in the background.

Travelers looking to plan an accessible getaway may have a new first stop at TripAdvisor. The site, in partnership with Visit Lauderdale, introduced a landing page for accessible destinations and experiences, where reviews from fellow…

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Wheel the World | Survival to SafariNew Tool

Wheeltheworldlogo

Years ago, Lee and his wife, Ginny, were planning the trip of a lifetime: a safari in South Africa. But just weeks before, everything changed — Lee got sick, and ended up losing all four of his limbs. The trip never happened. Until now.

Watch Here

Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

A box filled with green sunflower lanyards, symbolizing hidden disabilities, sits on a table with the words “Hidden Disabilities” printed on the front, alongside a sunflower graphic and a QR code.

The Rapid City Regional Airport partnered with local organizations for  Wings of Wonder. The event’s goal is to help people with disabilities easily navigate the airport from the moment they park their car until they find their seat on the plane…

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AARP | Accessible Campgrounds

Two yellow-orange tents are set up in a peaceful forest clearing, with tall pine trees casting long shadows as golden sunlight filters through the trees.

The rising costs of accommodations can be one of the biggest barriers to taking more trips. One way to keep travel more affordable is to consider the many campsites available across the U.S….

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National Parks | How U.S. National Parks are Becoming More Autism Friendly

A sunlit forest trail winds through towering sequoia trees, with a few visitors visible in the distance, and wooden fences guide the accessible path through the dense, majestic landscape.

The sense of peace is palpable along the Big Trees Trail in California’s Sequoia National Park. All around my family, 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees—some of the world’s oldest and largest—stand in quiet solitude in a mountain landscape suited….

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Visit Richmond and John Morris | Richmond, VA, Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

A panoramic view of downtown Richmond, Virginia, featuring a mix of modern and historic buildings, a long freight train crossing a trestle bridge over the James River, and autumn-colored trees lining the riverbanks.

Incorporated in 1742, Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the oldest cities in the United States. Located along the James River, the city has been at the center of…

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Visit Florida | Best Destinations for Senior Travel

A group of older adults strolls along a tropical garden pathway lined with vibrant flowers and palm trees, with mountains and the ocean visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Winter often brings a desire for cozy escapes and relaxing getaways, but as people grow older, their travel preferences and habits often shift. International trips may lose their appeal due to challenges like mobility issues, health concerns, and the complexities of travel logistics….

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Travel Oregon | Travel Oregon Awards Nearly $6.2M to Dozens of Groundbreaking Projects Across the State

Travel Oregon Logo

Travel Oregon is awarding nearly $6.2 million to 65 groundbreaking projects that it says will transform visitor access across the state while also strengthening local economies.

The 2024-25 Travel Oregon Competitive Grants Program was designed to increase access…

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Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Travel Oregon is seeing the fruit of their awarded accessibility grants. Check out these grant-funded projects.

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

A man drives an accessible single-rider golf cart across a scenic golf course in Prineville, Oregon, surrounded by grassy hills and clear blue skies.

Derek Shike is a 31-year-old medical coder in Portland. Golf wasn’t always his cup of tea.

“For me, golfing, I always thought it was…

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Oregon Adaptive Sports Receives $60,000 to Implement Adaptive Paddling Program

Three cyclists, including one using an adaptive handcycle, ride along a dirt trail through a pine forest on a sunny day, showcasing accessible outdoor recreation.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, a Bend-based nonprofit,  has received $60,000 from Travel Oregon to expand the adaptive mountain biking program and introduce an adaptive paddling program for locals and visitors with disabilities…

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Dirty Freehub’s Inclusive Gravel Cycling Campaign Empowers Riders with Disabilities

A cyclist rides along a gravel trail in a scenic, dry landscape surrounded by shrubs and trees, while an inset image of the "Western Oregon All Access Gravel Guide" cover shows a rider on a similar trail through golden fields with Mount Hood in the background.

Dirty Freehub, a Bend-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting gravel cycling adventures, is launching a new statewide campaign to empower and inspire people with visible and non-visible disabilities to explore Oregon by gravel bike…

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NE Oregon Projects Receive State Tourism Grants

A lake with a mountain in the background

Six projects and programs in Northeastern Oregon have received big state tourism grants.

Travel Oregon announced Monday, June 30, it has awarded $6.2 million….

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ADA 35 Lineup

TravelAbility logo with the tagline "Celebrating ADA35"

We’re only at the beginning of TravelAbility’s lineup of events to celebrate ADA’s 35th anniversary. Here’s what’s on the schedule!

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August Ambassador Report: On the Road with Kristy Durso

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Fighting for Access at Home: Advocacy in Military Housing


When Kristy Durso, a longtime disability advocate and TravelAbility ambassador, relocated from San Antonio to Colorado Springs, she didn’t expect to dive headfirst into another accessibility battle — this time, for her own home.

“We told them what we needed. We were very clear in our instructions,” Durso said of her early conversations with the military housing office. “But I’m sure this will shock everybody — surprisingly or not — they had no door widths. They had no real accessibility information.”

Kristy and her family have been living in a single hotel room, while they wait for accessible accommodations to be available on base.

The housing setup on base wasn’t just lacking — it was a systemic issue. “They didn’t have a home that was accessible in Ryan’s rank structure,” she explained, referencing her family’s specific needs. In the past, people just had to make-do with what was available. “Nobody was telling them that they were doing it wrong.”

Kristy isn’t just navigating the red tape — she’s changing it. She’s had meetings with the housing office, the legal office, and the Exceptional Family Member Program, which supports military families with disabilities. She’s not only sharing her accessibility struggles, she’s also going over adaptive solutions she’s found.

And she’s not stopping there.

One of her long-term goals is to implement a neurodivergent or autism-friendly certification on base using programs like KultureCity or the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

“The military definitely has a higher number of families with disabilities because people go into it knowing their medical care is going to be covered,” she said. “We have to do this here simply because of the lack of accessibility that we’re finding on the base.”

Discovering a Model City: Accessibility in Colorado Springs


Outside the gates, the story shifts — dramatically. “Our experience in the broader town has been exceptional,” said Durso. “We’re so excited to be in Colorado Springs, a destination that has already come to TravelAbility and shown a commitment to accessibility.”

In just three weeks, Kristy and her family have already tried adaptive water skiing, tubing, hiking, hand-cycling, and even discovered a climbing gym with an adaptive climbing group that meets every week. 

The city’s Therapeutic Recreation Program offers action track chairs and weekly accessible hikes. Through Visit Colorado Springs, Kristy learned about rugged off-road adaptive vehicles available for free with advance signup. “They’re like a little four-wheeler — it’s so cool,” she said.

She’s also begun collaborating with a local tubing and whitewater rafting company to improve their accessibility. “There are businesses already doing great things — and businesses willing to do more. It’s exciting.”

One unexpected highlight? Goat Patch Brewing Company. “They deserve a special shoutout,” Kristy said. “Right on their main page, not hidden anywhere, they have a full accessibility statement.” That statement includes details on ADA-compliant entrances, restrooms, service animal policies, and seating options — even a lowered bar designed for wheelchair users.

“The reason we chose this place is because of your accessibility information,” she told the manager. “We were very impressed.”

From Local Impact to Global Voice

Don’t worry, even though Kristy has been stuck in limbo waiting for a home, she hasn’t stopped working for inclusion across the globe.

Last month, she spoke at the Destinations International annual conference, where her breakout session left an impression. “We had a great turnout,” she said. She was also able to connect with leaders about both the conference space and the hotel accommodations.

This week, she’s heading to Colombia, followed by a trip to Alabama, where more accessibility collaborations are in the works. “There’s good stuff coming. Lots of really, really great things — just gotta get there.”

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.

Updates from Travelability Summer Advisory Board meeting

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TravelAbility’s board meetings are where accessibility champions drop big news and remind us that accessibility never sleeps.

Please welcome our newest board members: Kathy Brown of Visit Orlando, Carol Giuliani of Senior Travel Companion Services, and Robert Harris the new leader of global accessibility for Royal Caribbean Group.

Wheel the World to launch AI Accessibility Travel Advisor prototype with Experience Grand Rapids.

KultureCity is opening two new KultureCity sensory rooms in the Salt Lake City airport at the end of August, complete with training and certifying TSA personnel. They’re also bringing on 22 Visit California welcome centers.

Downs and Towns have taken on seven influencer trips this year – six of which were through TravelAbility contacts.

Travel Michigan is up to four locations that have become Destination Verified through Wheel the World.

Destinations International and TravelAbility are working with UnchainedAi to develop an AI companion for the TravelAbility Playbook.

Airbnb hosted an inclusive travel event in Brussels. The event brought together different organizations and thought leaders to discuss making Europe a more inclusive destination.

New York City Tourism and Conventions announced that the MTA will add 12 more accessible subway stations across four boroughs, with plans to make at least 60 additional stations Ada accessible. That will enable nearly 70% of all subway rides to start or end at accessible stations.

INNOVATEAble Pitchfest 2025 Results: The Envelope Please…

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The virtual competition took place last Friday, July 25th, and highlighted impressive pitches from:

  • ADAPTS: A lightweight transfer sling for safer mobility in tight or inaccessible spaces.
  • BoardSafe Docks: Adaptive kayak launches and floating docks that expand waterfront access.
  • Koda: AI-powered live captioning that works on any device, no app required.
  • Lotus: A smart ring that controls devices with a simple point—no Wi-Fi or rewiring needed.
  • RightHear: Audible wayfinding for blind and low vision travelers navigating indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • ScanMeHome: A QR-code ID system that helps quickly reunite loved ones who may wander.
  • Touch2See: 3D Tablets that let blind sports fans follow the action in real time.

The judges praised the caliber of entries and noted just how tough the competition was this year. With so many standout innovations, choosing winners wasn’t easy. In the end, real-time announcements revealed the final rankings:

1st Place (tie): BoardSafe Docks and Lotus
2nd Place: ScanMeHome
3rd Place: Koda

People’s Choice Award: Scan Me Home

Special thanks to our judges: Nick Nerbonne of Travel Michigan, Chris Maher of Samaritan Partners, Autumn Saxton-Ross from the National Recreation and Park Association, and Kristine McConnell of Travel Oregon.

Stay tuned for videos and special features highlighting each innovation!

Calling All Filmmakers: TravelAbility Launches Inaugural Film Festival Showcasing the Future of Accessible Travel Storytelling

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TravelAbility is proud to announce the launch of its First Annual TravelAbility Film Festival, a dynamic new showcase celebrating excellence in accessible travel video storytelling.

Premiering at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit (October 13–15 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon), the festival will spotlight short videos that explore accessibility with originality, purpose, and impact. From lived experiences to destination campaigns, the Film Festival honors the creators, brands, and advocates who are reshaping how accessible travel is seen and shared.

Accessibility is not just a trend; it’s a critical aspect of how travel is evolving. Accessible storytelling is already happening across platforms, from destination marketing videos and social media reels to firsthand accounts of travelers with disabilities. However, until now, there hasn’t been a central place to honor these creators and the work they’re doing. The TravelAbility Film Festival fills that void, bringing together creators who are reshaping the narrative surrounding accessible travel.”

travelandtourworld.com

Submit Your Entry Today

Promotional flyer for the 1st Annual TravelAbility Film Festival. The top section features the festival name in bold text: “TravelAbility Film Festival – Celebrating the Best in Accessible Travel Storytelling.” It notes the festival will debut at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, held October 13–15 in Sunriver, Oregon. Below, the submission details appear gray text (see caption for details). A small image of the TravelAbility Summit 2025 logo and a scenic photo of the Sunriver venue is included, along with a gold graphic of a vintage film camera in the bottom right corner. The background includes a blue filmstrip and dotted design elements

Submissions are now open in three categories:
• Destination Marketing Organizations
• Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants
• Content Creators & Influencers

Each entry must be submitted as an MP4 video no longer than 5 minutes, with participants limited to one category per submission.

Submissions will be accepted through August 15, 2025, or until the limit of 75 entries is reached.

View the full guidelines and submit your entry below!

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Finalist videos will be screened live during a special session at the TravelAbility Summit in front of travel professionals, destination marketers, and accessibility leaders. A diverse jury comprised of filmmakers, disabled travelers, and inclusive marketing experts will evaluate submissions. The top three videos in each category will be recognized, and one standout will be awarded Best in Festival.

Our goal with this festival is to amplify the voices and visual storytelling of those leading the way in accessible travel. We’re excited to honor creativity, inclusivity, and innovation in ways that inspire the entire travel industry.”

Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility.