TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Family Travel

One Year Anniversary Edition of Accessible Journeys, Spring 2023 issue

by

Accessible Journeys – travel without limits in a world where all are welcome.

The quarterly digital magazine Accessible Journeys has quickly become a leading resource for accessible travel information. A partnership between Mélange Publications and TravelAbility, the publication is a brand extension of the magazine, Accessibility for All.

Accessible Journeys features everything relevant to travel and accessibility: destination and accommodation guides, equipment reviews, travel tips, parenting information, innovative products, and more. It also shares expert input from bloggers, vloggers, and influencers – about 40 in each issue.

Launched in March 2022, Accessible Journeys grew from a circulation of 870 to 68,000 by the end of that same year. This growth is a testament to the importance of accessible travel and the valuable information the publication holds for everyone eager to explore the world.

Accessible Journey’s success is due in part to the editorial guidance provided by prolific leaders in the disability travel community. The Spring 2023 issue was steered by guest editor Cory Lee, who shared his insights into adventure travel. Guest editors Ashley Lynn Olson, Kay Kingsman, and Jennifer Allen have contributed their expertise in the past, keeping the publication on the leading edge.

Accessible Journeys provides value, insight, support and resources to the disability travel community.  

For advertising and marketing information contact Debbie Austin at daustin@readmelange.com

Read Accessible Journeys here

Canadian Family Takes the World’s First Autism Certified City to the Test

by

picture of a glowing green scorpion

It could have sparked a meltdown, landing in a strange city and driving a child who needs routine and predictability to a Sonoran Desert Park full of scorpions, black widow spiders and rattlesnakes for a full moon hike. But Jennifer’s 10-year-old son, Charlie, took an instant liking to Arizona’s Lost Dutchman State Park, probably because of the philosophical storytelling of ranger Jackie Vallejos, and the feeling of anonymity that came with joining 40 strangers to explore the unfamiliar landscape.

“Is anyone scared of a mouse or a grasshopper?”, the ranger asked at the start of the 90-minute night hike. “How about venomous desert creatures such as spiders and snakes?”

Our Takeaway: Autism to Mesa.AZ is poised to become what Broadway is to New York. 80% of their hotels, attractions museums, restaurants, and tours not to mention, city police and fire departments, having all been autism certified through International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Read More.

Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck for Disability Families

by

view of the Empire State building at sunset as seen from an airplane window

As with anything in life, airport security works a little differently for families with disabilities. Eventually, most frequent travelers end up looking at the benefits of Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck. Jennifer Allen shares her family’s experiences of traveling with a wheelchair and medical needs.

Our takeaway: For frequent travelers within the US, TSA pre-check is a useful service that’s worth every penny, even when traveling with or as someone with a disability.  Global Entry is for those who travel internationally to avoid onerous passport checkpoints upon returning to the U.S.  BTW:  TSA Cares is a helpline that theoretically provides travelers with disabilities additional assistance during the security screening process, (Call 72 hours prior at (855) 787-2227) but in practice few TSA airport managers have the time to train their agents on this service. Read More.

Legoland Puts All the Pieces Together for Guests on the Autism Spectrum

by

Legoland Resorts announced last month that all its North American theme parks would become Certified Autism Centers (CAC) by March 31st. Legoland parks in Florida and California received autism certification in 2022. The company’s newest theme park in New York will receive autism certification when it reopens in March.

The certification involves specialized training for staff, sensory guides at each ride advising if there are features such as bright lights and loud sounds that might impact visitors who are on the spectrum, and the availability of low-sensory areas and quiet rooms. Read More.

Our Takeaway: Parents with children on the autism spectrum are not willing to have their families forgo vacation experiences at theme parks and attractions. They will choose to spend their money at places that are welcoming to all of their children. Credible certification is a key to winning the trust and confidence of these travelers.

FUN FAMILY VACATIONS

by

TravelAbility has collaborated with Mélange Publishing, to produce the world’s first digital magazine for travelers with disabilities.  Each quarterly issue focuses on a different theme with the just released winter issue exploring accessibility around family travel.

Nikki and Jimmy Lean into Life: Recounts the story of Nikki, a single mother and her son Jimmy, who is blind, and what they look for when planning a trip.

My WOW Experience: An 11-year-old blind tween tells us about his favorite travel experiences.

Overwhelmed by Joy: Guest Editor Jennifer Allen, shares her wisdom from years at the helm of Wonders Within Reach, a family travel blog that focuses on accessible destinations and products for families. 

The issue contains 12 other feature articles and is the only publication that provides quick summaries and links to recent posts of 42 accessible travel bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers. 

Read the full issue here.