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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.
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- 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.

Best of the Web: News, Info and Inspiration

January 29, 2024 by Dan Tobin

A roundup of the best articles and resources we found in the past month related to disability and accessible travel.

The back of a child on a pier in New York Harbor looking at the NYC skyline through binoculars.

Marlee Matlin Makes History as Awards Show Host with Deaf Co-Star

December 30, 2023 by Dan Tobin

Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur pose with two others in front of an MAA backdrop

Oscar winners Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur who Co-Starred in the film CODA reunited as the first deaf co-hosts of the Media Access Awards, which celebrate films, television shows, and performances that include characters with disabilities.

Matlin has seen significant progress in Hollywood’s understanding of accessibility but she emphasizes that there is still a long way to go. When she attends awards shows, she says she often feels drawn into the role of accessibility advisor.

“I don’t want to call it worrying, but I’m still attending with something in the back of my mind saying, ‘How is it going to look? Who are the interpreters? Where are they going to place it? Where are we going to sit?’” she says. “More and more, they’re all talking about DEI — everybody in Hollywood. But they forget about access and accessibility. They forget that there is a group of us that needs access to be part of the whole picture.” Read more.

TravelAbility TakeAway: Matlin articulates the double-duty that many individuals with disabilities are often compelled to take on. Beyond navigating an event or project on their own, they also take on the role of educating the organizers about accessibility. Matlin is a powerful spokesperson for the cause.

HBO MAX Unveils ASL version of “Barbie”

December 30, 2023 by Dan Tobin

The much-anticipated arrival of mega-hit “Barbie” on streaming included a special feature, “Barbie with ASL,” in which a signer interprets the movie for the Deaf community.

“HBO Max is the premiere destination for storytelling, so being able to share the biggest movie of the year in ASL, the first language for many, will make this story resonate in a more meaningful way,” Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content, said in a press release. “By offering sign language interpretation, we will build upon the film’s empowering message of inclusiveness and offer a unique viewing experience for the Deaf community to enjoy with family and friends.”

The streaming service kicked off the ASL version with a special community screening in Los Angeles alongside the non-profit Deaf West Theatre, advocacy group RespectAbility, signer Leila Hanaumi, and Barbie star Margot Robbie. Read more

TravelAbility TakeAway: This is an important milestone given the huge footprint of the Barbie movie. In addition to increasing access to the movie for the Deaf Community, the ASL version and the live event highlight the artistry of ASL signer Leila Hanaumi. Her performance is more than translation; its an act of expressive storytelling.

Travel Oregon Awards 3.6 Million in Grants for Inclusive Tourism

November 29, 2023 by Dan Tobin

Woman using a wheelchair on a beach with steep cliffs rising out of the ocean

As part of an ongoing and far-reaching statewide initiative, Travel Oregon has awarded $3.6 million in competitive grants to DMOs, attractions, and cities for inclusion and accessibility projects.

The grants program targets funding for accessibility and inclusivity for underserved and under-resourced communities including people with disabilities, BIPOC, Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes and LBGTQIA+. Funded projects reflect and align with Travel Oregon’s vision of a welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures—and must improve tourism infrastructure or enhance promotion of accessible and inclusive tourism.

“To say I’m inspired by the potential of this year’s grant awards would be an understatement,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “Upon completion, each project will make a substantial impact on the accessibility and inclusivity of the tourism industry in Oregon, supporting Travel Oregon’s vision of a welcoming destination for all where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures.” Read more .

TravelAbility TakeAway: No question that Oregon is one of the key states to watch for leadership on inclusive and accessible travel. As we reported in last month’s Insider, Travel Oregon had the largest contingent of attendees at the Emerging Markets Summit in Savannah in August, with more than 30 staffers. They are using the TravelAbility network to great advantage, studying model initiatives from around the country and the world and turning that research into sustainable practice.

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A roundup of the best articles and resources we found in the past month related to disability and accessible travel.

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