TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Editorial

Lived Experience: Can an Autistic Adult Use Travel as Therapy? 

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Aleks smiling and sitting on a cement block with a beautiful turquois ocean stretching out behind him

Alex Stratikis is the writer behind Autism Adventures Abroad. He invites readers to join him on his journey of self-discovery as he travels the world, finding himself and what it means to be human, while also understanding more about his autism and about the needs of neurodivergent individuals more generally.

In a recent article, Alex explores the idea of travel as therapy for an autistic adult:

Travel offers more than just a break from routine for autistic adults—it can be deeply therapeutic, fostering personal growth, emotional healing, and sensory exploration. While everyday life may feel rigid and overwhelming due to strict routines and heightened sensory sensitivities, travel provides a liberating contrast, encouraging flexibility, independence, and self-discovery. The author, an autistic solo traveler who has visited over 65 countries, shares how navigating unfamiliar places has strengthened their confidence and adaptability, while also offering moments of calm through sensory-friendly experiences like quiet beaches or cozy bakeries. They emphasize the importance of preparation, self-advocacy, and managing sensory input to create fulfilling and accessible travel experiences. Through both structured planning and spontaneous adventure, travel becomes a transformative tool—not just for exploration, but for understanding oneself and the world in new, affirming ways.

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Champions of Change: Steve Nelson Takes Accessibility to New Heights

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Steve Nelson’s journey into accessibility advocacy began with personal experience—but it was fueled by a deep care for others.

“I do have a personal connection to disability,” he shared. “I was diagnosed ADHD as a child, and as an adult I was diagnosed as being autistic and having other invisible disabilities.” Yet, it wasn’t just his own story that propelled him forward. While working in Guest Relations at a major entertainment and hospitality company, Nelson saw opportunities to better serve the disability community. “I began to advocate for us to make some local changes, and that eventually led to me being introduced to the Services for Guests with Disabilities team, who took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to make a career out of it.”

Today, Nelson serves as the Accessibility and Belonging Program Manager for Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines. He leads what he describes as “a first-of-its-kind operation in the airline industry”—The Disability Office. “We act as internal consultants and advocates who partner with the various divisions, stakeholders, and leaders across the organization to drive better accessibility,” he explained. “We want everyone to be able to feel like they belong when they fly with us, and that means we have to innovate and change how air travel works for the disability community.”

Creating that change, especially within a large and regulated industry, comes with its challenges.

“The common theme is that I have to remind people that I am on their side,” said Nelson. That includes both internal stakeholders and the communities he serves. “My goal isn’t to take over someone else’s job or to steal their thunder—I’m just there to keep them curious about what we can accomplish if we think outside of the box.”

At the same time, he’s realistic about the pace of progress. “It may seem like progress is slow or like a company doesn’t care enough, but I promise there is so much happening behind the scenes and it will be truly transformative.”

Among the many accomplishments in his career, Nelson is especially proud of one. “I’ll go back to basics and say I’m most proud of the Disability Rehearsal Flights we host at Alaska Airlines.” These events give travelers with profound disabilities the chance to experience the travel process—from check-in to boarding to taxiing down the runway—without ever leaving the ground. “They get a boarding pass, go through security, board an aircraft, and experience a brief taxi around the airport before deplaning.”

The flights aren’t just beneficial for the guests. “It even gives the best kind of training experience for our employees. No computer-based program can show you how to care from the heart as well as an experience with 70+ families can.”

Nelson believes that accessibility work is—and must be—rooted in listening to the people who are most impacted. “This is going to sound so cliché, but it has always been the people I serve,” he said. “I’m not just talking about the happy people who participate in a rehearsal flight, but also the folks who have not had the best experience.”

“People with disabilities are PEOPLE. They matter. They deserve to have dignity and autonomy.”

When asked what advice he’d offer to others working to move accessibility forward in 2025, Nelson is clear: “Practice telling a good story and don’t give up!” He’s seen firsthand how powerful storytelling can be.

“I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t care about individuals with disabilities… but I’ve met plenty who don’t know any better.”

That’s why he leads with empathy and real-life narratives rather than a list of demands. “Take your time and remember you are doing the work for people who don’t have a place at the table. It’s worth the effort… and if you’re me, always have a large black iced coffee in hand… it helps.”

BIG Things Are Happening with the TravelAbility Advisory Board

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This month’s board meeting was a series of mic drops as advisors shared the monumental projects they’re working on. Here’s what’s in the works.

Steve Nelson from Alaska Airlines detailed his initiatives, including testing autonomous wheelchairs and autism rehearsal flights as well as an overview of their Seattle pilot including testing autonomous wheelchairs and developing programs for individuals with autism. Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines will continue testing the autonomous wheelchair in Seattle through July and explore further rollout options

Alan Fyall, from Rosen College of Hospitality Management, discussed how accessibility has ignited passion with their students and partner and he was looking forward to expanding the offerings.

Chris Maher from Samaritan Partners shared insights on their social impact fund focused on disability investments and the establishment of an Accessibility Lab in collaboration with Travelability and The Schoolhouse Hotel in West Virginia.

Nick Nerbonne from Travel Michigan provided updates on local accessibility initiatives, such as the introduction of four autonomous wheelchairs at Detroit Metro Airport and the creation of accessible pathways in state parks and posited that Michigan was the state with the highest number of Action Trax wheelchairs.

Dr. Josh Loebner, Global Director of Accessible Design, VML. presented a project aimed at connecting songwriters with blind communities to create lyrics that describe Tennessee tourism experiences emphasizing the need for evocative imagery.

Mike May, ambassador for American Printing House for the Blind, shared his insights on accessible navigation and advising startups, and mentioned an upcoming event focused on blind-specific travel in Austin.

Alison Brooks announced a new grant program through Visit Mesa to assist small businesses in becoming autism certified.  They will fund at least five small businesses to become autism certified in the next few months.

Meg Raby Klinghoffer highlighted her work with Kulture City on sensory accessible training specifically for nine beaches in Fort Lauderdale and improvements to sensory rooms at Salt Lake City Airport, including plans for a sensory tunnel.

Todd Brook founder and CEO of Unchained, provided an update on his work creating an AI companion for the Accessibility Playbook with a focus on developing a roadmap for organizations to adopt AI technologies to enhance accessibility. Todd will switch to a database-driven approach for AI accessibility tools within 5 to 10 days.

Kathleen Harvey from Destination British Columbia shared insights on the tourism landscape and the growing interest in accessible tourism events.

Laura Skufca from AARP presented findings from their 2025 travel trend study, indicating that many older adults face mobility challenges they travel and a partnership with TravelAbility to provide content for the next Playbook with tips for the aging traveler

Jake Steinman, our Founder and CEO, introduced the concept of the accessibility disability trifecta, highlighting that whatever content is created for visitors with disabilities is basically a down payment for baby boomers aging into a disability with the side benefit of the accessibility attributes, features and amenities will also be used by the 17% of residents who have a disability as well as a series of “Cultivating Accessibility Leaders” tentatively planned for Orlando, Myrtle Beach, and Lansing.

Mark Jones, who leads accessibility for Disney Orlando, shared that Orlando is becoming a popular travel destination this summer, with new offerings from both Disney and Universal. He detailed upcoming attractions at Magic Kingdom, including themed lands and new stage shows, as well as a ride based on Encanto at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Additionally, he announced that all Walt Disney World buses will be equipped with the Quantum automated restraint system to enhance safety and reduce driver injuries.

Alexander Hauerslev Jensen from Google highlighted several new accessibility features from Google, emphasizing the integration of AI in technologies like TalkBack on Android and facial gesture controls for Chromebooks. He also introduced expressive captions, which enhance traditional captioning by conveying emotions and ambient sounds. Additionally, updates to Google Maps include more detailed walking instructions for screen reader users and expanded information on wheelchair accessibility for over 50 million

Ron Pettit shared that he has left Royal Caribbean to pursue new opportunities while remaining in the accessible travel and hospitality sector. He highlighted his past contributions to making vacations more accessible for people with disabilities and mentioned Rob Harris as the interim manager of the Global Accessibility Team.

Houston Vandergriff and his mother Katy talked about their Oregon trip, highlighting their pleasant stay at Mount Hood Resort and their plans to return with Wheel the World.

Makiko Healy from New York City Tourism provided updates on her collaboration with the DMO group and introduced ELLIS an AI assistance tool that improves accessibility information on their website and social media.

Greg Evans discussed Simpleview’s role in enhancing digital accessibility for over 900 DMO websites and their recent acquisition by Granicus. He noted the significance of Title II legislation and the need for local governments to improve their digital accessibility efforts. Evans also mentioned the launch of a new business toolkit by Visit Britain aimed at gathering ADA information from local businesses to better serve travelers.

Chelsea Bear discussed her work as a social media influencer in accessible travel, noting her recent acquisition of a new scooter and her plans to engage with destinations for partnerships. She has over 800k followers on social media platforms.

Sophia Hyder Hock, Chief Impact Officer, Destinations International, discussed the continued partnership in marketing the Accessible Playbook to their members along with ongoing inclusion efforts.

Camilo Navarro, co-founder of Wheel the World, shared that they have surpassed 120 active destinations and are improving their homepage to provide more information about verified locations. He also mentioned the upcoming release of an API to help destinations integrate accessibility information into their websites.

John Morris discussed his evolving role at Wheelchairtravel.org, emphasizing a shift towards solo and family accessible travel. He recounted a recent trip to Europe with Steve, which provided valuable insights for disabled travelers. Additionally, he announced upcoming group tours in Greece, where he plans to spend significant time this year, and expressed excitement about collaborating with destination marketing organizations.

Ivor Ambrose, executive director for ENAT,highlighted the enforcement of the European Accessibility Act starting June 28, which mandates accessibility in ICTs and public buildings. He also invited participants to the World Summit on Destinations for All in Torino, Italy, from October 5-7, expecting around 400 attendees.

Lynn Osmond, former CEO of Choose Chicago, is working with TravelAbility and Wheel the World to introduce an end-to-end solution for the 1.1 million visitors and their companions who are expected to attend the World Cup events in North America next year.

Kristy Durso, Travelability’s ambassador to the industry and a travel advisor who specializes in accessibility,  announced that this year she was a keynote speaker at ITB in Berlin, and has already presented at five events this year.  She’s working with Alan Fyall on training workshop and tools for travel advisors.

TravelAbility Taps Former BrandUSA CMO, Staci Mellman as Strategic Advisor to Advisory Board

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TravelAbility, a leading organization dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities, is proud to announce the appointment of Staci Mellman as a strategic advisor and Advisory Board member focusing on expanding the organization’s reach across the USA and enhancing its brand visibility among destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and travel professionals.

With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, Staci previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at both Brand USA and VISIT FLORIDA, where she led groundbreaking initiatives to make travel marketing more inclusive, authentic, and accessible. She spearheaded efforts to expand accessibility across Florida, creating inclusive content series and advertising campaigns—one of which was recognized by AdWeek as a Top 10 Accessible Brand Campaign of 2020.

Key Areas of Staci Mellman’s Focus:

  • Raising Awareness: Increasing TravelAbility’s recognition among DMOs, travel brands, and industry leaders.
  • Industry Education: Providing resources and best practices to help destinations attract and serve travelers of all abilities.
  • Advancing Inclusive Marketing: Helping travel brands communicate accessibility efforts in an authentic, engaging, and impactful way.

“I have always believed that travel is a fundamental experience that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability,” said Mellman. “By working with TravelAbility, I hope to help travel brands and destinations create more inclusive experiences that connect with and serve travelers of all abilities. Travel is not just about seeing new places—it’s about feeling welcome, represented, and empowered to explore the world.”

Strengthening the Future of Accessible Travel

TravelAbility remains dedicated to bridging the gap between the travel industry and the disability community. With the appointment of Staci Mellman, the organization is poised to make even greater strides in creating a more inclusive, accessible future for travelers everywhere.

“Staci is genuinely one of the most inspiring and creative individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past six years. Her passion for data was matched only by her commitment to positive activism. As the leader of Visit Florida, she spearheaded numerous campaigns that highlight the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities and her goal was clear: she wanted to make Florida the most accessible state in the country. We’re honored to have her as part of our advisory board.”

Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbilityFor more information on TravelAbility’s initiatives, visit https://travelability.net/