TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Editorial

How DMO’s and Hotels Can Help Conferences Become More Accessible

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Wheelchair user Sylvia Longmire using a lift to attend a social gathering at a recent TedX conference.Sylvia Longmire, president of Spin the Globe, refers to herself as an accessible travel agent, blogger, disabled veteran and MS’er. She is also one of the most influential—and opinionated—voices reviewing destinations, cruise lines, hotels and attractions from a wheelchair user’s point of view. She doesn’t hold back. In a recent blog piece, she discussed the challenges of attending conferences and conventions.  

Our Take: Please, share this post with Meeting Planners, an integral part of our industry, who can use her suggestions to make their events more inclusive. Longmire’s spot-on advice can help raise awareness and improve accessibility conditions. We’re looking forward to what she writes next.

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Profile: Airbnb’s Srin Madipalli Finds 27 Ways to Make Accommodations Accessible (Even When Everyone Is Doubting Him)

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When I last visited Srin in the lobby of Airbnb’s headquarters he had recently built the company’s accessibility team to a total of 16 people. He had just returned from a tour of four Asian countries where he was raising awareness among Airbnb hosts about the need for more accessible homes. Srin, due to his academic pedigree and natural charisma, is emerging as the most public voice of accessibility in travel with major backing. Not only is he approaching Airbnb hosts but his team is also approaching hotels to list their accessible inventory on Airbnb’s website. He generously offered to help develop content for TravelAbility Summit. “I’m approaching this like a political campaign,” said Srin. “Airbnb needed to find a simple message that appeals to the basic emotions.” —Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbility Summit.

A recent profile in New Mobility really nails the issues around accessible travel and captures Srin’s energy. 
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Opinion: Three Words People With Disabilities Want You To Say

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people discussing an issue in a group about 13 of them young wearing ties and casual workwear

Surprise! If you guessed that technology was top of the list for people with disabilities, you may be overthinking things, according to this first-person essay published in Vox.com. It caught our eye because, honestly, people with disabilities are the experts when it comes to travel and mobility challenges and we’re taking every opportunity to listen to their points of view. Oh, and the three words they want you to say most? WE’VE GOT RAMPS.

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Travel Pro, Speaker, and Trendmaster Bill Geist Joins TravelAbility Summit Board 

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For more than 20 years, Bill Geist has been pushing the envelope, challenging the status quo and calling out sacred cows and buffoons in the process. He also is quick to praise—and share news about— the truly innovative people, processes and projects he sees. Through his newsletters and speaking engagements, he provides high-level information and thought leadership on the top Destination Marketing news. We are pleased to welcome him to our growing TravelAbility Summit Advisory Board. You can find his work at  https://dmoproz.com.

 

Blind Mountain Climber Scares the Crap Out of TODAY Show Hosts (Video)

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blind climber on a mountain with red jacket and helmetLast February, NBC’s Harry Smith went climbing with Erik Weihenmayer, the adventurer who has conquered some of the most dangerous places on earth. He also happens to be blind. Click here to watch the TODAY show video, including the end, where every newsperson at the table looks scared out of their mind just talking about the climbs Weihenmayer lives to complete. It’s really an amazing story that puts life in perspective.