Family Travel

News from the TravelAbility Community

June 4, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

Triumphs of our own – How the TravelAbility Community is leading Accessibility Innovators in Transforming Travel and Tourism Worldwide.

Wheel the World founder Wins Entrepreneur of the Year at annual EDDY Awards in Atlanta.

Winners of the second annual EDDIE awards, short for Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Diverse and Inclusive Excellence, are “not scared of breaking down doors, actually, demolishing doors.” Read about Silberstein and the other nominees, here.

IBCCES Announces Certifications of Dubai and Orlando Airports.

Our partners at IBCCES, the only credentialing organization in the autism field, have had a very busy quarter. Recently, they’ve announced certifications including Dubai Airport, Orlando airport authority, our first Certified attractions in Korea and Macau, just to name a few. You can read about more of their partners, here.

Ed Harris, Lancaster’s Tourism Maestro, Turns Crisis into Triumph.

Discover Lancaster’s CEO took tourism to the next level, driving record growth and setting a new standard for marketing innovation, even in the midst of a pandemic. Read how, here.

Jupiter Rebuilds Beach Walkovers to Help People in Wheelchairs.

Palm Beaches is making waves and redefining shorelines with their inclusivity movement. Find out how, here.

National Parks Becoming More Autism Friendly.

Customized Itineraries, visual schedules, sensory guides, quiet rooms, and sensory-friendly days are a great starting place for welcoming the neurodiverse into the great outdoors. Read how national parks are embracing inclusivity, here.

Accessibility at Vancouver Airport.

YVR is the first airport to receive an ‘Accessibility Certified Gold’ rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program. Read about their commitment to exceeding standards, here.

Wheel The World, Easy Access Travel and Tapooz Recommended by AARP as Top Tour Companies for Travelers with Physical Challenges.

AARP knows what travelers with mobility issues need to explore the world, and the TravelAbility community is bridging the gap. Learn how, here.

New on Accessible DMO Landing Pages:

San Francisco Travel has organized their accessibility feature in a unique and creative way. See it here.

Visit Myrtle Beach Launches “Traveling the Spectrum”, a groundbreaking docu-series

June 4, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

This movement for changing the world of autism travel needs your help. Please share.

Traveling the Spectrum is a groundbreaking docu-series that highlights the inspiring vacations of three families, each with a member on the autism spectrum. Currently, 87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options. That’s an untapped audience of millions in America alone who are not traveling to any destination. Traveling the Spectrum is set to change this narrative — but it needs your help. Starting a movement is only possible with collective support.

87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options.

Traveling the Spectrum is looking for a groundswell of support to show streaming services that this is the type of content that people want to watch. Please take a moment to watch the trailer. If you find yourself moved by the Traveling the Spectrum mission, please give it a like and a share. Visit the website and voice your support for this series to be picked up by streaming services so this message can travel worldwide.

This show goes beyond destination marketing. It’s a series that dives into the essence of humanity. Lend your support to get this series noticed by streaming platforms. This is the start of a ripple effect that can change the way the world views people with autism.

Traveling the Spectrum is more than just a project —it’s a mission to make a difference – and difference that can only be made together.

Please join us by sharing one or all of the following with your teammates and to your social networks:

Trailer

Website

Facebook

Campers and Accessibility: Bridging the Gap in Outdoor Experiences

March 4, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

A landmark study by Kampgrounds of America (KOA) identifies the needs of campers with disabilities

Campgrounds offer an idyllic landscape to adventurous travelers: sun-kissed trees, the scent of pine in the air, and families and friends sharing stories around the campfire. But the beautiful scene isn’t attainable for everyone as a recent study by Kampgrounds of America (KOA) revealed. KOA surveyed a percentage of campers at its 500+ campgrounds in the US and Canada and found some eye-opening statistics about the needs of campers with disabilities.

1. The Disability Divide:

27% of U.S. residents report having a disability. These are our neighbors, colleagues, and friends—individuals navigating life with unique challenges.
Now, consider the campers. 38% of them also identify as having a disability. Campers are 41% more likely to have a disability than the average U.S. resident.

Slide showing statistics from the study: Campers report more factors impacting accessibility than the general public does with disability at the top of the list of factors; camping is considered about as accessible as other types of leisure travel by both groups; individuals who report more barriers to accessibility of campgrounds spend more nights and more money camping but travel shorter distances than those reporting no barriers.

2. Beyond the Surface: Factors Impacting Accessibility:

Visual Impairment:
- Among U.S. residents, 12% grapple with visual impairments. The world appears through a different lens for them.
- Campers, too, face this reality. 16% of them navigate trails, campfires, and sunsets with altered vision. Yet, they persist, guided by determination and perhaps the rustle of leaves underfoot.
Cognition:
- Cognitive disabilities—including neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder affect 13% of U.S. residents, Within the camping community, this percentage more than doubles as 27% of campers wrestle with cognitive challenges.
Hearing
- For 6% of U.S. residents, hearing impairment shapes their world. Yet, they find solace in nature’s symphony. Among campers, 11% navigate the same trails, attuned to vibrations, sign language, and the silent beauty of dawn breaking over the horizon.

3. The Call for Inclusivity:

Campgrounds, take note: ramps, accessible facilities, and thoughtful design matter. Let’s bridge the gap between adventure and accessibility.
Because when campers—regardless of ability—sit by the fire, they share not only s’mores but also stories of resilience, laughter, and the wild beauty that binds us all.

Following the lead of more and more state and national parks, Kampgrounds of America, are joining the movement to improve and increase access to beautiful, natural, and often remote outdoor spaces.

Senior executives from Kampgrounds of America will be participating in panels at the Travelability EMS Summit in San Francisco, November 13-15 about their plans to implement more accessibility features along with staff and franchisee training to be more welcoming for everyone.