Family Travel

Wanderlust and AdvenChair Scale Mountains Together

June 6, 2025 by lkarl Leave a Comment

A collaboration between two outdoor industry pioneers that launched in 2024 yielded a prestigious award last week, even as they were building on the foundation of their teamwork this year.

Thanks to a grant from Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund, AdvenChair, an innovative leader in all-terrain wheelchairs, and Wanderlust Tours, Central Oregon’s trailblazer in naturalist-guided adventures, combined to offer a successful series of “AdvenTours” last year.

AdvenTours gave people of all ages with mobility challenges the chance to experience some of Oregon’s most inspiring natural places matching AdvenChair’s unmatched durability, safety, and comfort with Wanderlust’s unique style of education, interpretation, and environmental appreciation.

At the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism held at the Portland Convention Center last week, AdvenChair and Wanderlust Tours were honored with the Partnership Award, which recognizes that leveraging traditional and non-traditional partnerships enables organizations and businesses to maximize their budgets, employee capacity, and skill sets to create an increase in efficiencies and a higher-level of aligned outcome.

According to an announcement from the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon):

“Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair won the Oregon Partnership Award for their innovative collaboration to enhance accessibility to Central Oregon’s outdoor experiences for individuals with mobility challenges. By combining Wanderlust Tours’ expertise in guided outdoor adventures with AdvenChair’s all-terrain adaptive wheelchairs, the partnership has created inclusive, immersive tours that allow individuals with mobility issues to explore iconic locations such as Smith Rock State Park and Lava Lands National Monument. This initiative, supported by tourism grants, not only promotes Central Oregon as an accessible, inclusive destination and improves visitor experiences, but also fosters community engagement and exemplifies how creative collaborations can drive positive change.”

Courtney Braun, Owner of Wanderlust Tours, was naturally excited and honored to receive the Partnership Award.

“What started as a great partnership idea from Geoff Babb [AdvenChair’s Chairman] has blossomed into something big and meaningful,” said Braun. “We’re proud to be seen by the tourism community for making the outdoors accessible in Central Oregon. It means that there is great support and momentum for ensuring that all those who desire to adventure are able to do so, regardless of their age or ability.”

AdvenTours begin where the pavement ends.

For Lincoln Foreman, a geologist and stroke survivor, and frequent AdvenTour participant, the appeal of the AdvenChair/Wanderlust partnership is threefold. Not only does the AdvenChair enable him to access the trails of places like Smith Rock State Park where he can actually touch the volcanic tuff, it allows him to enjoy the experience with his wife Cathy and interact with other individuals who share his love for natural sciences, as well as to learn about local history, geology and culture from Wanderlust’s engaging guides.

“Being able to access nature beyond the pavement – actually way past the pavement – together is something we’ve never been able to do since Lincoln’s stroke 15 years ago,” said Cathy Foreman. “So having these opportunities is really important to both of us.”

Get close to nature, as well as friends and family.

In addition to the pre-arranged AdvenTours, AdvenChair is also available to Wanderlust for special custom tours with advanced reservations. Last year, AdvenTour guests ranged from a six-year-old girl with Down’s Syndrome visiting Crater Lake National Park for the first time to a grandfather who got to explore Smith Rock State Park with more than three dozen family members.

AdvenChair’s Geoff Babb was equally delighted with the growing relationship with Wanderlust Tours and for the recognition they’ve received.

“I’ve witnessed the smiles from so many people who wouldn’t be out in the wilderness without the AdvenChair,” said Babb. “Whether it’s a family with a child who is disabled or a grandparent who can be with their grandkids on their favorite trail as they pass the love of the outdoors on to future generations, it’s very heartwarming to see. We are just so grateful to collaborate with a group like Wanderlust Tours who love the outdoors as much as we do and know how to share it.”

About AdvenChair:

AdvenChair is an all-terrain wheelchair designed for people with mobility challenges who want to venture off the beaten path and experience the grandeur of the wilderness. It is the brainchild of Geoff Babb, a fire ecologist and avid outdoorsman from Bend, Oregon, who loved to ski, mountain bike and backpack with his wife and twin boys until a near-fatal brain stem stroke on November 10, 2005 forced him to use a wheelchair.

While the stroke forever changed his ability to move, Babb soon discovered that the biggest obstacle to experiencing a simple outing on local trails with his family again was not so much his body, but the frailties of common wheelchairs. Rather than lobbying for wheelchair-accessible wilderness trails, Babb chose to develop a wheelchair capable of adapting to the trails, and the AdvenChair was born.

On November 10, 2017, exactly 12 years to the day after his stroke, Babb survived a second brain stem stroke, which was a major setback. Yet it made him more determined than ever to share his all-terrain chair with other people dealing with permanent or temporary limited mobility. While developing the first AdvenChair, Babb also launched The Onward Project, LLC, to inspire, encourage and enable outdoor adventures for people of all abilities.

To learn more about AdvenChair and follow its journeys on social media, visit advenchair.com.

About Wanderlust Tours:

Since 1993, Wanderlust Tours has welcomed guests to vibrantly share the natural and cultural history of Oregon in order to instill appreciation and protection of the environment. We hold great respect for the natural surroundings of our beautiful central Oregon landscape and hope to introduce people to these delicate ecosystems while maintaining a low impact on the environment. Wanderlust Tours is made up of people who are passionate about the intricacies of nature. We thrive on sharing our knowledge and passion for the natural world with those who join our tours!

We are so excited to be partnering with AdvenChair and to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair, we can empower every member of our community in their quest for adventure!

Accessible Hotel Spotlight: The Hilton Mclean Tyson’s Corner

June 5, 2025 by lkarl Leave a Comment

By Jennifer Allen

I have to agree with my eight-year-old that The Hilton Mclean Tyson’s Corner is one of the most accessible hotels we’ve ever stayed in.

As a family, we often have a hard time finding hotel rooms that meet our needs. An accessible King is the only option at many hotels – which isn’t great for families with kids or for disabled adults traveling with a caregiver. Hilton Mclean Tyson’s Corner had several room options across both bed types and shower types. We opted for an accessible tub and low bed heights – perfect for our family with young kids, including one who can’t stand up to get into bed.

We had pretty high expectations when our key card automatically opened the room door, and we weren’t disappointed. Other features included:

ROll under sinks
Lower room controls
Accessible swimming pool
Accessible on-site restaurant
Assistive listening devices for meetings upon request
Audible alarms
Doorbell w/Audio/Strobe Alert
Lower or Adjustable Closet Rod
Phone Audio/Vibrate/Strobe
Raised toilet seat
Roll-in Shower
Service Animals Welcome
Teletypewriter for guest use

Two children sit back-to-back on a hotel bed, smiling broadly with their arms crossed playfully. In front of them is a wheelchair.

A Family Story on the Spectrum

April 6, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

In light of Autism Awareness month, Josh Heinz of Visit Greater Palm Springs shares his family background, what travel looks like as an autism family, and how the travel industry and greater community can make a difference.

My wife’s name is Linda. We are a blended family. She had three children in her previous marriage. Gillian, 25; Christopher, who is on the profound/severe/level 3 side of the spectrum, 23; and Jimmy, 20.

My son from my first marriage is Harrison, who is also 25. Like Christopher, he’s on the profound/severe/level 3 side of the spectrum.

It was our boys with autism who brought my wife and me together. Harrison and Christopher were in elementary school together. Linda is a music teacher. I am a musician. So, we had music and autism in common. We started dating, she joined my band, and eventually we got married. Together we’ve been doing our local benefit, the Concert for Autism, for 17 years and working on number 18 now.

We have our one son together. His name is Jack. He is 11. He is on the high functioning/level 1 side of the spectrum. Jack should be able to have a job, get married, and start a family someday—if that’s what he chooses.

Harrison has little ability to communicate. Most of his speech is mimicking or repeating what you say, but he understands a lot more than he can express.

Harrison will sometimes have meltdowns and behaviors. Occasionally this will include pinching or going after someone’s throat. But most of the time he just wants to watch cartoons or stem on dirt, rocks, water, bowls of rice, etc.. Harrison is in a group home in Arizona, near his mother. He has a program he goes to every weekday and the head of that program says he does well – as long as his routine isn’t interrupted. Harrison is not able to travel for leisure or recreation.

Christopher has a little bit more communication skills. He can answer simple questions. But does not handle multiple questions quickly very well. He does not like the word ‘No’ at all. He is highly anxious. This anxiety can result in very bad meltdowns when things happen unexpectedly or unpredictably. These can include hitting, screaming, or breaking things. He spends a lot of time on his computer watching Disney. He is in a group home in Moreno Valley, about an hour west of where we live. They tried putting him in a day program, but he had a meltdown the first day and they have yet to allow him back in.

Christopher actually loves outings, but only with his biological father. His father can take him to amusement parks, swimming, movies, out to eat, etc. usually without incident, although every once in a while, he will strike people that get too close to him. His father left California in 2018 and moved to a small Texas town, saying the cost of living was better there. This devastated Christopher. He went from seeing his father almost every-other weekend, to now seeing him only two or three times a year. The change has made his meltdowns more intense. They usually end up with him crying and calling out for his dad.

Until recently, our only family vacations were driving to Texas to see my wife’s family. To make it work, Christopher would stay with his dad. We would have to rent a car that I would drive with only Christopher in it. The rest of the family would travel in our van with Linda. We would drive from here to El Paso, TX all in one day – with stops about a 12-hour drive. Christopher’s dad would meet us in El Paso and take him for the week while we went to visit family in the eastern part of Texas. We’d repeat the same system for our return trip. We’d rent a car in El Paso for me to drive Christopher back. Bathroom breaks were planned around quieter rest stops and we always went to the bathroom in shifts. Everyone else in the van would go in, and then Christopher and I. We would never eat in a restaurant. Any meals were done through the drive-thru.

Last year we were fortunate enough to go on two vacations. We visited family in the D.C. area over the summer and returned to the area in winter. We were able to stop on the way back to see my wife’s family in Texas.

This was Jack’s first time flying, and he did great. We discovered that the Pittsburgh airport has a Sensory Room as a space for regulating away from the noise. We need more places like this – airports, malls, arenas, stadiums, theaters – to create sensory rooms where those on the spectrum and with sensory needs can go to regroup. It was worth it for us to fly into Pittsburgh instead of D.C. to avoid the hustle and bustle of the bigger airport.

The number one thing we need is simply more understanding and empathy.

Because Jack is high functioning on the spectrum, there aren’t many things we find we need when we travel or go to restaurants or events. The number one thing we need is simply more understanding and empathy. Jack can say or do things that are a little bit different. He will interrupt you while you are in conversation with someone about a completely different topic. Sometimes he can get up in your personal space, without realizing that it might be uncomfortable to the other person. Sometimes his volume is a little louder than others or too loud at inappropriate times. Occasionally, when eating, he’ll just eat with his hands instead of using a fork. For example, picking up a fried egg with his hands – resulting in the yellow egg running down his hands. These things go against established social norms and can result in hurtful words and behavior from some people. With more awareness and kindness, we hope people can learn to respond with compassion instead.

A Wedding Without Compromise

March 19, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Update from Kristy Durso – a TravelAbility Ambassador representing TravelAbility and accessible travel in the greater world.

By Jennifer Allen

Kristy and her family pose on the beach backdropped by a beautiful sunset. Kristy is sitting in her wheelchair, wearing a white off the shoulders wedding dress and holding a bouquet of white flowers.

Kristy and her husband celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal—a resort event at Sandals Turks and Caicos that wasn’t just accessible but was designed without compromise.

“The distinction is important,” Kristy explains. “There are probably a lot of accessible wedding destinations, but I didn’t want to sacrifice anything. So that’s what we did.”

The idea took root when Kristy attended the Sandals Star Awards last year. She had not been a big seller of Sandals travel because her priority had been accessibility. When she suggested Sandals should run an accessible wedding campaign, they asked her to lead it.

“That meant I got to plan this however I wanted,” she says. “I wasn’t going to just make do—I was going to show what was possible.”

“I don’t love the lack of freedom with a beach wheelchair. It’s not an equal relationship when someone has to push you down the aisle. I didn’t want that, and I didn’t want to sacrifice getting married on the beach just like anybody else would be able to. I needed to show it was my choice to come down that aisle.”

Kristy used a FreedomTrax to independently roll down the sandy beach, her train trailing behind her. Sandals built a ramp to ensure she could meet her husband at the altar—on her own terms.

The reception was just as thoughtfully curated. With multiple dietary restrictions in her family, she worked with Sandals’ culinary team to create a sugar-free, gluten-free menu. “These weren’t just substitutes; they were creative and flavorful dishes proving that dietary needs don’t mean boring food.”

You can watch Kristy rolling down the aisle here.

Changing the Industry’s Perspective

When asked what made the difference between Sandals and any other destination trying to host an accessible wedding, Kristy pointed out that true inclusion is shifting how travel providers approach accessibility. “Instead of thinking about what I can’t do, Sandals focused on what I wanted to do,” she says. “That’s what every resort should be doing.”

“The biggest thing is to get resorts to look at the person and not the disability. Does she want to dance? Include a dance floor. Guests with sensory needs? Create a quiet space.”

She emphasizes the need to move beyond minimum requirements. “When we talk about accessible dining, we think about what needs to be removed from a menu instead of how to create something exciting. People with allergies are still foodies. The industry needs to evolve in how it approaches inclusion.”

Training Travel Agents for True Accessibility

Kristy is also transforming how travel agents learn about accessibility. She’s developing an in-depth training program that will soon launch on a major platform.

“It’s immersive and constantly evolving,” she says. “I’m sure it’s missing things, but I’m also sure there’s never been a training course this in-depth.”

She speaks from experience. “When I became a travel agent, I was already disabled and had three children with disabilities. I thought I knew what I was doing. But when I took my first trip as a full-time wheelchair user, I realized how much I had missed. If even allies and advocates are getting it wrong, how can the average travel planner get it right? It’s not fair to the disability community because we’re already so afraid to travel. Agents falsely claiming to be disability experts could ruin travel for good.”

Her training challenges agents to stop asking, Is this accessible? and start asking the right questions. “If you ask whether something is accessible, your answer is almost guaranteed to be wrong. Accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, we need to ask, How are you going to accommodate this traveler’s needs?” She gave the example, “If you go to Fiji, you won’t find ramps and beach wheelchairs: you’ll find a people group who are willing to do whatever it takes to help you experience everything. They will carry you and make sure you’re a part of everything.” Accessibility doesn’t always look the same. We need to rewind and ask the right questions.

A Global Impact on Accessible Travel

Kristy sits in her wheelchair wearing a red dress and black boots next to another person in a suit at the ITB Berlin.

Kristy’s influence isn’t limited to the U.S. She was recently a keynote speaker and panelist at Accessible Tourism Day, a part of ITB Berlin.

“I was blown away to be trusted as a keynote speaker when I was still untested,” she admits. The panel included major global figures in accessible tourism, discussing what the industry will look like in ten years and how to get there.

Her keynote, Rethinking Accessibility, focused on shifting perspectives from limitations to possibilities. “It’s about helping people reach their full potential and dream in ways they’ve never imagined,” she explains. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with one industry leader commenting, ‘We hit the jackpot with Kristy.’

Unifying the Industry for Change

Kristy is now curating a series for the Accessible Travel Network, highlighting destinations excelling in accessibility. She’s also spearheading TICAT (The Inclusive Coalition for Accessible Travel), bringing together disability groups and major travel organizations to push for industry-wide change.

“We don’t need more personal kingdoms—we need to be a force to be reckoned with. Unification is the key to changing the world.”

Additionally, she’s working with Dr. Charlie Powell on designing the first all-inclusive resort in Mexico for families with disabilities, ensuring that “0 compromise” is built into the blueprint.

Joey’s Journeys: Empowering Travelers with Disabilities

Kristy’s latest endeavor, Joey’s Journeys, coordinates trips for families needing extra support and fosters independence for young adults with disabilities looking to travel on their own.“This isn’t just about making travel accessible—it’s about making it possible in ways people haven’t dreamed of before.”

Presentation of the Month

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore emerging trends, challenges, and solutions in making travel more accessible for all. Last year’s summit included a panel of six influencers sharing their insights on how disabled content creators amplify authenticity in accessible destinations.

Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Want to learn more from disabled content creators? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, happening at the beautiful Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025. The event will feature more panels with disability influencers, as well as exciting networking opportunities, including influencer speed dating sessions. Learn more and register today at travelability.net.

Leveraging the Insight of Content Creators to Amplify Authenticity

📌 Summary

♿ Disability Representation: Creators discuss their experiences growing up with disabilities, the challenges they faced, and how they now use their platforms to educate and inspire others.
✈️ Accessible Travel Challenges: Issues such as lack of accessible infrastructure, untrained staff, and misinformation on accessibility are highlighted as major barriers.
📱 Social Media and Awareness: Creators emphasize how social media plays a crucial role in spreading awareness, breaking stigmas, and educating people about disabilities.
📊 Audience Demographics: The panelists describe the diversity of their followers, ranging from individuals with disabilities to those seeking to learn more about inclusivity.
💡 Solutions for Accessibility: Suggestions include better staff training, clearer accessibility information online, and greater empathy from businesses.
🤝 Collaborating with Destinations: Content creators outline how they work with travel destinations to promote accessibility, including creating blog posts, social media content, and consulting on accessibility improvements.
📈 Impact of Authenticity: The importance of genuine representation and transparency when showcasing accessibility is emphasized, as misleading portrayals can be harmful.
⚠️ Handling Negative Experiences: Panelists discuss how they manage situations when accessibility falls short, advocating for constructive feedback and open dialogue.

🔢 Insights Based on Numbers

80% of blind people are unemployed, highlighting the need for workplace inclusivity.
A viral TikTok video with 25 million views showed the global interest in disability representation.
Many influencers have traveled to 40+ countries, demonstrating the demand for accessible travel.