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The Elite 100: What Earned KultureCity a Spot Among Time Magazine’s Most Influential Leaders

May 8, 2026 by Eliana Satkin Leave a Comment

At Travelability, we are incredibly proud of our sensory training partner, KultureCity, as they continue to shatter barriers for the one in six individuals with sensory processing needs. This month, KultureCity has reached yet another historic milestone that solidifies its place as a global leader in social impact.

KultureCity as A Global Leader on the World Stage

Graphic announcing KultureCity as a 2026 TIME100 Companies Industry Leader in Social Good, featuring photos of KultureCity community initiatives and accessibility programs.

KultureCity has been named to the prestigious 2026 TIME100 Companies list, recognized specifically as a Social Good Industry Leader. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. This well-earned honor highlights their relentless pursuit of a world where everyone belongs, regardless of their sensory challenges. What started as a local movement in Birmingham, Alabama, is becoming a worldwide standard for accessibility. 

ABC uses 30% of This Newscast to Highlight KultureCity Impact

A recent ABC News feature showcased the deeply personal mission driving founders Dr. Julian Maha and Dr. Michele Kong. Inspired by their son Abram, the couple has transformed a “list of nevers” into a global movement that has already:

  • Certified over 7,000 venues including stadiums, parks, and zoos, across 40 countries.
  • Trained every state police officer in Alabama to better engage with individuals with invisible disabilities.
  • Launched an AI-powered app that provides a voice to non-verbal individuals.

Building the Future of Accessibility

The highlight of this powerful ABC coverage wasn’t all that KultureCity has done, but what they’re about to do. Their most ambitious project yet is the transformation of an old steam plant in Birmingham into a place for higher education and what comes after. This $50 million initiative will feature the nation’s first technical school for individuals with sensory disabilities, providing a clear path from education to employment. While tuition hasn’t been determined, they guarantee that cost will never be a barrier to entry.

For the travel industry, KultureCity’s recognition and recent news coverage serve as a reminder that inclusion isn’t a goal: it’s constant growth. It seems that as their son Abram grows, so does the movement that his parents initiated. 

Congratulations, KultureCity. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Join us at the 2026 TravelAbility Summit to connect with KultureCity founder, Dr. Julian Maha, and learn from his experiences shaping the industry. View the preliminary agenda here.

Check out Time100’s Most Influential Social Good Companies of 2026

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Filed Under: Hidden Disabilities, Neurodiversity Tagged With: Accessibility Achievements, Accessibility Awards, hidden disabilities, KultureCity, Neurodiversity

Can I Get Your Autograph? A Look at the Influencers Coming to the 2025 TravelAbility Summit

October 6, 2025 by lkarl

Taylor Leigh Aguilar

@BlindEagleProductions

Filmmaker

Colorado-based production company founded by Taylor Leigh Aguilar. Film with a new kind of vision.

Total followers across platforms: 2,054

Jennifer Allen

@WondersWithinReach 

Writer and Content Creator

Disability mom ✈️ Wheelchair travel

Sharing our journey to help others in theirs

💜 Jesus, adoption, and inclusion

Total followers across platforms: 25,000

Chelsea Bear

@RealChelseaBear

Digital creator

✨ sharing Cerebral Palsy through my lens

Total followers across platforms: 700,000

Rosie Dunn

@RosieRoaming

Wheelchair Travel Tips

✈️ navigating life & travel on wheels

🗺️ 20 countries, 39 states & counting

Total followers across platforms: 3,900

Kristy Durso

@KristyGoes

Entrepreneur

Keynote speaker, mom to 3 kids, military wife, wheelchair user, travel lover, disability advocate/consultant, owner Incredible Memories Travel

Total followers across platforms: 2,000

Anthony Ferraro

@asfvision

Blind Filmmaker and Paralympian

🎥 A Shot in the Dark

🥋 Para Judo 🛹Skateboard

🎙 Pod @fourbadeyes

🎶 Musician 🎤 Speaker

Total followers across platforms: 3,200,000

Suellen Henneberry

 @SueEllenHenneberry

Athlete

Spartan Race, Adaptive Amputee

Total followers across platforms: 400

John Morris

@WheelchairTravel

Blogger

Follow along as I travel the world with one hand, a passport and my power wheelchair. World’s largest accessible travel website. ♿️ ✈️ 🌎

Total followers across platforms: 50,000

Candy Harrington

EmergingHorizons.com

Travel Publication for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers

Total followers across platforms: 20,000

Jessica Ping

@TheRollingExplorer

Public Figure

👑 Loud Disabled Feminist

📍Chicago

🎶 @jessicajordanping

🎙️ @accessdeniedpod

☕️ #AccessibiliTEA

Total followers across platforms: 209,000

Mandy Salas

@ImMandySalas

Motivational Speaker

Resilience Advocate, Quadriplegic Mom, Upcoming Author

Sharing my story of determination, grit, and mental strength to inspire others 🌟 🌱 💪

Total followers across platforms: 5,000

Amy Tarpein

@ElijahsBabyBucketList

Writer and Content Creator

✈️Travel Writer 🎗Lissencephaly Family

Sharing our journey to encourage others

and share Elijah’s joy with the world!

Total followers across platforms: 400,000

Ian Ruder

@NewMobilityMagazine 

Editor-In-Chief

I work to ensure the the voice of people with mobility-related disabilities is authentically represented in all of our content

Total followers across platforms: 305,000

Houston Vandergriff

A smiling man with glasses wearing an orange jacket holds a black camera while standing on a city street. Behind him is a blurred urban scene with historic brick buildings, parked cars, and a typical downtown streetscape.

@DownsAndTowns

Travel Photographer

ART. ADVENTURE. ADVOCACY.

Photographer with Down syndrome traveling the world | Nikon Creator | GAMUT Talent

Total followers across platforms: 700,000

Katie Vandergriff

 Katie Vandergriff in a close-up portrait with short, layered dark brown hair with highlights, wearing silver hoop earrings and smiling warmly at the camera.

@DownsAndTowns

Disability Mom, Public Speaker, and Advocate

Alice Diehl

Alice Diehl wearing a silver crown and a purple sash reading 'Wheelchair Queen,' seated in an ornate chair against a purple backdrop, wearing a white sequined top.

Artist

Advocate

Actor @kelloinclusive @allhearttalent

Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2025 2nd runner up 🏆@ms_wheelchair_america comp

Total followers across platforms: 2,900

Julie Jones

Julie Jones standing behind a man in a wheelchair who is wearing a red and blue baseball-style shirt; Julie wears a purple top with a red scarf and has her hand on his shoulder, both smiling at the camera

@TWLMag and @HaveWheelchairWillTravel

Writer and Content Creator

✈️ Travelling with a wheelchair. 📸. Sharing accessible tips and 🏖. Family travel ideas

Total followers across platforms: 19,500

Phoenyx Powell

Phoenyx Powell seated on an airplane seat, wearing a black leather jacket with blonde highlights in dark hair, looking off to the side.

@PhoenyxTravels

Blogger

Travel doesn’t have to be perfect — just possible.

Solo + accessible travel tips from lived experience

Total followers across platforms: 900

Tiffany Rose

Tiffany Rose is seated in a manual wheelchair at an outdoor event under tents, wearing a gray jacket and baseball cap with floral-patterned pants, as volunteers work around her in rainy conditions.

@TiffsChariot

Travel Service

Help create positive disability awareness and showing off travel accessibility for ALL

Blogger | Friedreich’s Ataxia Fighter | Wheelchair Adventurer♿️

Total followers across platforms: 7,600

📈Combined Total Reach of all Creators: 5,653,200

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Amputees, Blind and Low Vision Travel, Conferences & Events, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Family Travel, Hidden Disabilities, Mobility, Neurodiversity, Tourism, Travel, TravelAbility Summit, Vision

October News from the TravelAbility Community

October 2, 2025 by lkarl

Myrtle Beach | AFAR highlights 5-Day Myrtle Beach Itinerary for All Abilities

A wooden beach access ramp leads through palm trees and coastal vegetation toward a sandy beach with turquoise ocean waters under a clear blue sky. Beachgoers can be seen in the distance along the shoreline, with the accessible boardwalk providing barrier-free passage from landscaped grounds to the beach.

Unlike many coastal locales, accessibility isn’t an afterthought in Myrtle Beach). The vacation destination is deeply committed to ensuring travelers of all abilities—those on the autism spectrum…

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Lotus | The Best Accessible Design of 2025

A black and white photo collage with pink geometric accents combines images of legs in white sneakers, a person sitting in a chair, someone holding a phone, and a mountain landscape, overlaid with a text box titled Alt Text that reads "The dust of the leaves turn orange below, The warmth of the light, The cool of the shadow, Cotton candy clouds look down where the Smoky Mountains grow, Postcard or painting, It's almost hard to know."

See all the honorees of Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design Awards in the accessible design category…

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RightHear | accessiBe Partners with RightHear to Bring Accessibility Beyond the Screen

 A partnership logo graphic features the "accessiBe" and "RightHear" brand names connected by a bright yellow circle with an "X" symbol, set against a blue and purple gradient background with subtle glowing effects.

Digital accessibility is just one part of creating an inclusive experience. For people with disabilities, accessibility doesn’t stop…

Read More

Visit Florida and Wonders Within Reach | Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida

Jennifer Allen and her 3 children on a beach at sunset with arms raised joyfully, including a child using a blue wheelchair with beach-capable wheels. The group poses on white sand with lifeguard towers visible in the background during golden hour.

I don’t remember ever eating so well as we did in Sarasota. From Cuban sandwiches that melt in your mouth to donuts so fresh you’ll smell them before you see them, this city knows how to keep your tummy happy…

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Wheel the World | Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel the World Co-Host Nation’s First Travel Week Spotlighting Accessibility

The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade logo combines the state's iconic "C" flag design with a circular certification emblem, followed by the agency's full name in black text.

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), in partnership with Wheel the World, hosted a curated…

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Visit California | Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport Expands Accessibility with ASL Interpretation App

Two men collaborate at a touchscreen service counter in a modern, bright airport, with one person using a smartphone app to translate sign language.

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) today announced the launch of a new accessibility initiative in partnership with Aira, offering free, on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for deaf and hard of hearing travelers…

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Visit Grand Rapids | ‘Priceless’: Grand Rapids Public Museum Unveils Sneak Peak of Accessibility Upgrades to Carousel

An empty carousel is brightly lit up.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is inching closer to the completion of their multimillion-dollar renovation project to its carousel and riverfront access…

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Wheel the World, North Alabama, Cory Lee, and Wonders Within Reach | Accessible Guide to Alabama: Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants

Cory Lee, in a power wheelchair, travels along a brick sidewalk past the historic Miss Mylen Miller House, a white colonial-style building with black shutters surrounded by mature trees and maintained grounds behind a decorative iron fence.

North Alabama is one of those places that catches you off guard. You don’t expect mountains and canyons, but they’re here. You don’t expect world-famous music studios tucked into quiet towns, but…

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Adaptive Sports, Airlines, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Hidden Disabilities, Museums & Attractions, Neurodiversity, Tourism, Transportation, Travel, Vision

Innovation of the Month: Scan Me Home

September 8, 2025 by lkarl

ScanMeHome’s QR Code that Can Save Lives

The seventh annual INNOVATEAble highlighted groundbreaking ideas transforming how people with disabilities live and travel. The competition was close, with judges noting how tough it was to choose among such strong pitches. Taking second place was ScanMeHome, already making a huge impact for families living with autism. Below, founder Justin Behnke shares the story behind his innovation.

How ScanMeHome Came About

The idea for ScanMeHome came from my son, Jaxon. He’s nonverbal and autistic, and like many on the spectrum, he has intense sensory sensitivities. That meant wearables like GPS trackers or bracelets weren’t an option — he simply couldn’t tolerate them. Yet the fear of him wandering off and not being able to tell anyone who he was or how to reach me kept me awake at night.

I realized there was nothing in the marketplace that could meet his needs. Families like mine were left without a practical, immediate way to reconnect if their loved one got lost. That’s when I started building ScanMeHome: a simple, universal solution that doesn’t rely on batteries, devices, or apps — just a QR code that anyone can scan to instantly connect to a parent or caregiver.

The Problem it Solves

ScanMeHome bridges the dangerous communication gap when someone can’t speak for themselves. In those critical moments — whether it’s at an airport, a beach, a theme park, or even a neighborhood walk — a quick scan of the code gives first responders, staff, or good Samaritans immediate access to contact details and instructions to help reunite families.

Use Cases

  • Families: Parents of children with autism or other communication challenges.
  • Seniors: Those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
  • Travel & Tourism: Airports, hotels, and attractions offering ScanMeHome to guests, creating safer and more inclusive travel experiences.
  • Schools, camps, and events: Adding a layer of safety in group settings where wandering risks are high.

For families
Memberships start at $9.95/month or $99/year, with a 7-day free trial. During the trial, families can immediately access ScanMeHome by printing their own digital QR code or ordering iron-on tags.

For destinations & organizations
ScanMeHome also offers bulk membership programs as well as flexible short-term visitor passes, making it easy for destinations and partners to provide added safety and inclusion to the communities and travelers they serve.

At its heart, ScanMeHome was built so families like mine can experience the world with less fear and more freedom — knowing there’s always a way home.

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Autism, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Family Travel, Hidden Disabilities, Innovation of the Month, Neurodiversity, Technology

September News from the TravelAbility Community

September 5, 2025 by lkarl

Sophie Morgan’s Visit to Bend Oregon Featured in Conde Nast | Outdoor Adventure Belongs to Everyone

A scenic view of Bend, Oregon, featuring the Deschutes River with people floating on rafts and kayaks. The river is lined with lush greenery and modern homes in the foreground, while the Old Mill District with its three iconic smokestacks and shops stands prominently in the background, framed by forested hills and a clear blue sky.

Bend, Oregon. It is one of those places people talk about with a kind of reverence. “Oh, Bend,” they’ll say, drawing out the vowel like there is a secret there that will only be revealed when you go. A renowned outdoor adventure capital, it draws climbers, kayakers, and powder chasers in droves. But as a wheelchair user….

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Pure Michigan | disABILITY PRIDE: How Accessible is West Michigan?

A colorful grid pattern of pastel squares in various colors serves as the background for text reading "disABILITY PRIDE" in bold lettering

Access isn’t only about ramps and doorways. It’s about being able to move, speak, live, learn and belong with independence, safety and dignity. But in West Michigan…

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Explore Minnesota | New Ely Resort Features Fully Accessible Lodging and Activities for All to Enjoy… Together

A person in a wheelchair fishes from a boat, with other people nearby and water visible in the background, overlaid with "Kare 11 extra" text branding.

Great challenges sometimes inspire great ideas.

That’s the case at one of Ely’s newest resorts, which offers a more accessible gateway to Minnesota…

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Discover Los Angeles | Los Angeles Reaffirms Accessibility Goals Ahead of 2028 Paralympic Games

A person in a wheelchair wearing a red cape poses heroically against a city skyline backdrop, embodying strength and empowerment.

Ahead of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined Council member Imelda Padilla, International Paralympic Committee Chief Paralympic Games Officer Colleen Wrenn, LA28 Chief…

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XRAI and Dallas Fort Worth | XRAI Glass to Pilot Real-Time Captioning and Translation at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

A woman in casual clothes walks outside an airport terminal, pulling a wheeled suitcase and looking at her phone.

We’re proud to share that XRAI Glass has been selected to pilot our real-time captioning and translation technology at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) this summer, helping to improve communication at some of the airport’s most critical touchpoints….

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Visit California | Visit California Launches Accessibility Hub to Support Travellers with Disabilities

 A man in a wheelchair sits by a wooden bench in a grassy coastal area overlooking the ocean. He is wearing a white cap and light-colored clothing, facing away from the camera toward the blue sea and horizon.

Visit California is making it easier for travellers with disabilities to plan their perfect Golden Coast getaway with the launch of its new Accessibility Hub, an online platform designed to streamline accessible travel across the state, without wading through scattered sources….

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Wheel the World | Explore Siouxland Is Now ‘Destination Verified’ for Accessible Travel

A decorative wooden sign reading 'SI♥UXLAND' sits on a wooden table. The letters are painted in white and blue, with a red heart symbol replacing the 'O' in 'Siouxland'. Blue chairs are visible in the background around the table.

Explore Siouxland has earned ‘Destination Verified Status’ from Wheel the World’s Accessibility Verified Program.

Wheel the World is a travel platform that verifies and catalogs accessible and…

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Visit Florida | America’s Best Small Retirement Town Has Pristine Beaches, Accessible Activities, and 320 Days of Sunshine a Year

 Aerial view of a white sand beach with clear turquoise water and a long wooden fishing pier extending into the Gulf. Beachgoers are scattered across the sand with umbrellas and chairs, while sand dunes with sea grass are visible in the foreground.

With 320 days of sunshine, plenty of parks, and no state income tax, Panama City Beach (PCB) is an affordable small-town gem (population 19,393) on Florida’s Panhandle that’s increasingly capturing the attention of retirees…

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Sassy Wyatt and Alex Stratikis | 8 Disabled Travellers Reveal What Makes a Destination Truly Accessible for Them in Conde Nast

A man in a light blue t-shirt stands against an ornate historic wall featuring elaborate Renaissance-style frescoes with painted panels in warm oranges and reds, circular medallions, arched windows with metal grillwork, and a central painting of a figure on a white horse.

What does it really mean for a place to be accessible? As a wheelchair user, I’ve spent the past 20 years travelling, writing, and speaking about accessible tourism. I’ve crawled off trains when assistance hasn’t…

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Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Airport Unveils Free ASL App to Aid Hearing-Impaired Travelers, Enhancing Accessibility and Communication

A pair of blue wireless earbuds sits in an open white charging case on a gray desk surface, with one earbud inside the case and the other resting beside it. In the background are blurred desk items, including a smartphone, a gold pen, a laptop, and what appears to be a blue and brown desk accessory.

In a positive move towards inclusion and accessibility, Harry Reid International Airport in  Las Vegas has introduced a complimentary service designed to assist hearing-impaired travelers….

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Adaptive Sports, Airlines, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Hidden Disabilities, Mobility, Neurodiversity, Parks and Public spaces, Tourism, Transportation, Travel, Vision

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