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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Mobility

TravelAbility Summit Session Cheatsheet: In Conversation with Sasha Blair-Goldensohn

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When you leave your house, do you know if you’ll be able to access the place you’re going? Can you get through the door? Use the restroom? Find an accessible path? These are questions many people with disabilities face every day. One helpful tool is Google Maps’ accessibility features. At the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, our CEO Jake Steinman sat down with Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, Google Maps’ Disability Inclusion Lead and wheelchair user, to discuss his story, how Google Maps is making accessibility visible, and how individual advocates can drive meaningful change. Read our one-page recap below.

2026 TravelAbility Tampa 2026 ad featuring a group of people including a wheelchair user enjoying a mead in downtown tampa. the summit dates are listed.

Want to be part of these conversations in real time? Join us at next year’s TravelAbility Summit, taking place November 9-11, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. The summit brings together destinations, venues, and industry leaders committed to making travel and events more inclusive for everyone.

Session Recap

Jake Steinman and Sasha Blair-Goldensohn on stage at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit.

October 15, 2025 

Speakers 

Overview

Sasha Blair-Goldensohn shared his personal journey from Google Maps engineer to accessibility activist after a life-altering spinal injury in 2009. His experience navigating the world in a wheelchair exposed major gaps in accessibility—not just in infrastructure, but in information. Sasha used his platform at Google and through legal advocacy to expand elevator access in NYC, influence global mapping standards, and make accessibility information visible to millions of users around the world.

Key Insights

  • A single individual can create systemic change in infrastructure, policy, and global products.
  • After becoming disabled, Sasha recognized that accessibility in maps was broken: you could find great restaurants, but not whether you could get in the door or use the bathroom.
  • His activism helped secure a legally binding agreement forcing the NYC subway system to install elevators—tripling the installation rate.
  • Google Maps now displays accessibility icons by default, not just for disabled users—because accessibility benefits everyone (wheelchairs, strollers, deliveries, aging travelers).
  • 50 million+ places worldwide now have verified accessibility data through Google Maps.
  • 125 million Local Guides contribute to crowd-sourced information, adding global scale.
  • Accessibility details continue to expand: entrances, restrooms, parking, seating, hearing loops, and more.
  • AI tools are enabling destinations to generate custom accessible maps with simple prompts—no big development team needed.
  • New features in development include visual AI street descriptions for blind / low-vision travelers.

Actionable Takeaways for Destinations

  • Encourage local businesses to update their own accessibility info on Google Maps—it’s free and visible to travelers everywhere.
  • Use Maps’ accessibility features in marketing: “highly-rated wheelchair accessible cafés in ___”.
  • DMO staff can create custom accessible maps using Google’s “Build with AI” tool.
  • Add QR codes on websites or printed guides linking directly to Google Maps with accessibility filters applied.
  • Partner with Local Guides or disability advocates to verify accessibility information at scale.
  • Advocate for infrastructure improvements—Sasha demonstrated that legal action + public visibility works.

Notable Quotes

  • “Disability isn’t those people over there — it’s all of us.”
  • “Nobody signs up for this community, but once you’re in it, you realize its beauty.”
  • “You can find soup dumplings… but can you get in the door or use the bathroom?”
  • “When the icons are on by default, accessibility becomes real for everyone.”
  • “A single person really can change the world.”

What to Know Before Hosting an Adaptive Sports Event 

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Adaptive sports events build community, elevate destinations, and create meaningful access for athletes with disabilities. In this session recap from TravelAbility Summit 2025, leaders from Richmond Region Tourism, the National Ability Center, and TravelAbility came together with athlete ambassador Sue Ellen Henneberry to share what it truly takes to host adaptive sporting events that work. Drawing on real-world experience, the panel explored how destinations can balance inclusion, logistics, and collaboration to deliver high-impact events that empower athletes and leave a lasting local legacy.

2026 TravelAbility Tampa 2026 ad featuring a group of people including a wheelchair user enjoying a mead in downtown tampa. the summit dates are listed.

Want to be part of these conversations in real time? Join us at next year’s TravelAbility Summit, taking place November 9-11, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. The summit brings together destinations, venues, and industry leaders committed to making travel and events more inclusive for everyone.

Session Recap

October 13, 2025 

Speakers 

● Toni Bastian – Director of Accessibility & Tourism Sales, Richmond Region Tourism 

● Jamie Starr – Director of Marketing, National Ability Center 

● Kristy Durso – Founder, Incredible Memories Travel / Ambassador, TravelAbility ● Guest Contributor: Sue Ellen Henneberry, Athlete Ambassador, Sportable 

Session Overview 

This session explored how destinations can successfully host adaptive sporting events—balancing inclusion, logistics, and community collaboration. Drawing from the experiences of the National Ability Center in Utah and Richmond Region Tourism in Virginia, panelists shared best practices for designing accessible, high-impact events that empower athletes with disabilities and engage local communities. 

Key Insights 

  • Inclusive adventure as tourism driver: The National Ability Center (NAC) has evolved over 40 years from a veteran ski program into a year-round adaptive recreation hub with 6,000 participants and 33,000 experiences annually. 
  • Community integration: NAC welcomes families and caregivers alongside participants, emphasizing shared adventure over separation. 
  • Economic impact: Adaptive events generate substantial tourism spending and strengthen brand identity through inclusion. 
  • DMO leadership: Richmond Region Tourism partnered with Sportable to host the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Championships—welcoming 400 athletes, 10,000 spectators, and $1.1 million in annual tourism revenue. 
  • Training and collaboration: Over 2,500 airport, hotel, and attraction staff in Richmond received disability etiquette training through partnerships with Visitable and MobilityWorks. 
  • Universal design in venues: Facilities like the Henrico Sports & Events Center were built beyond ADA compliance, incorporating lived-experience consultation from Six Wheels Consulting. 

Actionable Takeaways 

  • Plan collaboratively: Include athletes, disability organizations, and accessibility experts from the start. 
  • Invest in training: Frontline staff interactions shape visitor impressions more than measurements or specs. 
  • Communicate transparently: Avoid blanket “fully accessible” claims; provide detailed accessibility info so travelers can make informed decisions. 
  • Anticipate logistics: Coordinate with connecting airports, rideshares, and DME suppliers for seamless travel. 
  • Show, don’t tell: Use video tours and athlete testimonials to visually demonstrate accessibility.
  • Leverage tech and data: NAC uses Salesforce and updated IT systems to manage participant flow and experience tracking efficiently. 

Notable Quotes 

  • “Accessibility isn’t a destination—it’s about meeting individual needs so everyone can experience your destination.” — Kristy Durso 
  • “Don’t be afraid to bring an adaptive event to your city. With community collaboration, you can do it.” — Tony Bastian 
  • “It’s not about separate spaces—it’s about shared adventure.” — Jamie Starr
  • “Videos showing accessibility give people the freedom to explore without fear.” — Sue Ellen Henneberry

Rosie Roaming: Learn Through Real Travels of Disabled Content Creators

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By Rosie Dunn

Rosie Dunn smiling and holding up a U.S. passport, wearing a black tank top and gold necklace against a pink background.

Rosie Dunn is a content creator and travel writer who shares online about her travels and experiences as a full-time manual wheelchair user of over 20 years. Rosie has been to 39 states and 20 countries. Her passions include inclusive and stylish design, hotel and resort accessibility, connecting with other disabled women, exploring new places, travel photography, and disability representation. She has earned a B.A. from The University of Notre Dame and a MSc in Disability Studies from University College Dublin. Rosie is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Belmont University in her hometown of Nashville, TN. She will be doing her doctoral capstone in inclusive design. 

@RosieRoaming

Wheelchair Travel Tips

✈️ navigating life & travel on wheels

🗺️ 20 countries, 39 states & counting

My Best & Worst Experiences In Europe So Far

I’ve traveled to 16 countries in Europe in my wheelchair- here are some of my best and worst experiences so far. There are so many great things to see in Europe, so picking “bests” can be subjective. Also, my bad experiences don’t mean the cities aren’t necessarily worth visiting if you’re a wheelchair user!

Worst “Shower Chair”: Hotel Zermama

Reclined lounge-style chair placed inside a hotel shower stall, positioned away from the controls and illustrating an inappropriate and unsafe substitute for a proper shower chair.

My mom and I stayed at Hotel Zermama in Zermatt, Switzerland. We enjoyed our stay, except for their shower accommodations. As a “shower chair”, the hotel provided me with what was clearly a lounge chair. It was in no way appropriate for me to use as a shower chair – it was reclined and the only orientation that it could fit in the shower was facing away from the controls and soaps. When I got to the hotel and saw the monstrosity that they put in my shower, I hopped in to take photos to send to my friends and share with my followers, because it looked absolutely ridiculous. When I was transferring back into my wheelchair, the “shower chair” tipped over and I fell to the ground. Thankfully, I was not injured. I have been using a shower chair for over a decade and this is the first time I’ve ever fallen in the shower. Later that night, I had to take a shower, and had no other choice but to use the shower chair. I did not fall, but I had to have my mom’s assistance with showering because I couldn’t reach anything or transfer safely without her help. This is nowhere near the first time I have encountered an inadequate shower setup when traveling, but it is the most ridiculous.  

Simple shower chairs with a back are easily available for purchase for $60 on Amazon. I do not see an excuse for every hotel to have at least 2 of these for their guests to use. I am a paying customer and should be able to safely take a shower at a hotel! I am tired of poor design and a lack of consideration preventing me from showering independently when I travel. I shouldn’t have to have the help of my mom when a design change (or $60 purchase for a hotel) could completely prevent this outcome and give me some dignity back. Thankfully, I am comfortable with my mom helping me (although it is incredibly frustrating to need her help)- but if I was traveling with anyone else, or alone, I wouldn’t be able to shower safely…

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Learn how to work with Rosie Here

ADAPTS Transfer Sling: Faster, Safer, Emergency Evacuations

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Two people demonstrate an evacuation assistance device, supporting a seated woman at an accessibility and safety exhibit.

Imagine an emergency that requires an evacuation. The general feeling of panic and uncertainty. The rush to get to safety. Now imagine your wheelchair is stowed…somewhere else. People with disabilities have enough obstacles to overcome while traveling. Safety during an evacuation shouldn’t be one of them.

ADAPTS to the Rescue

ADAPTS reduces the risk of injury and speeds evacuation. Use it to transfer the passenger from a wheelchair to their seat, leaving it on the seat. Then, during an emergency evacuation, ADAPTS can be carried by two crew members or by the passengers immediately behind and across the aisle from the disabled passenger.

Our dream is that ADAPTS will someday be readily available on every airline, cruise line, passenger train and bus—just like life vests, oxygen masks and other safety equipment.

Not Just for Evacuations

Because it’s portable, compact and lightweight, ADAPTS can be used for everyday transfers around the home and anywhere!

Check out some of the ways others are using ADAPTS here.

The ADAPTS Story

Yellow adaptive evacuation seat secured in an airplane aisle seat, designed for passenger mobility assistance.

The seed that would become ADAPTS was first planted in Robin Wearley’s mind in 2005, as she sat in the window seat during a flight home to San Francisco. Filling the other two seats were an elderly man and his wife, who was brought onto the plane in a wheelchair. At the conclusion of the flight, Robin and her two seatmates were required to remain in their seats until all other passengers had deplaned and a wheelchair could be brought on board.

As they wheeled the elderly woman off the plane, a flight attendant thanked Robin for being patient, adding that he hoped it hadn’t been too much of an inconvenience. It wasn’t, but it got Robin thinking—what if the outcome of the flight had been different? What if they didn’t have the luxury of time? How would that woman—or her husband and Robin, who couldn’t move until she did—have gotten safely off the plane?

A dozen years later, after more flights and several conversations with a travel-savvy friend who happens to be a triple amputee, Robin’s idea began to take root. She grabbed her yoga mat and some rope, and fashioned the first prototype of the ADAPTS sling. Convinced she was onto something, she cut up a Slip-n-Slide® and refined her design. She created a third prototype from light cotton muslin, before turning the design over to a seamstress, who created the pattern and instructions for mass production. 

  • $199
  • ADAPTS is made of the material used for life-vests and is water-resistant and flame-retardant to comply with FAA safety standards.
  • ADAPTS weighs 1.15 pounds. It measures 11″ x 11″ x 2″ when folded into a tote. Industrial tested to hold at least 450 pounds!
  • Hand wash or wipe with a soapy sponge and air dry.
  • When unfolded it fits the seat on an airplane or a chair and attaches at the top.
  • There are six handles, two on each side, one at the top, and one at the bottom so that two to six rescuers can move a person swiftly to first responders. 

Want to know more? Check out these videos! 

Watch ADAPTS InnovatAble Pitch below!

INNOVATEAble Winner, BoardSafe Docks, Is Making Waves with Its Adaptive Kayak Launch

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BoardSafe Docks, a first place winner in TravelAbility’s 2025 INNOVATEAble Pitchfest,  has built its reputation on designing and manufacturing specialized, accessible waterfront products. Among its most notable accessible innovations is the Adaptive Kayak Launch, first developed in 2014 at Leaser Lake in Kempton, PA.

Watch project video here: 

Today, BoardSafe offers a full range of customized products, including adaptive kayak launches, courtesy boat docks, accessible fishing piers, gangways, pedestrian bridges, and rowing centers. With more than 20 years of experience, the company is recognized as a trusted leader in the commercial dock-building industry, providing turnkey solutions from design through manufacturing and installation for projects nationwide.

BoardSafe’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its craftsmanship, customer service, and ability to solve complex accessibility challenges.

The Adaptive Kayak Launch was born out of collaboration. In 2014, the Kempton Area Lions Club, Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation, and Team River Runner, an adaptive paddling organization, approached BoardSafe seeking a safer, more accessible way to get paddlers with mobility challenges onto the water. Their group was growing, their needs were becoming more diverse, and they were challenged in finding a safe way to access the water for paddling.

Working closely with paddlers in wheelchairs, BoardSafe’s engineering and manufacturing team refined design features, tested ideas, and eliminated barriers. The result was an innovative launch system that made safe, independent, and inclusive access possible. That project set the foundation for BoardSafe’s line of ADA-compliant gangways and universally accessible products.

The Problem a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch Solves

Traditional docks and launches often present barriers for people with mobility challenges. BoardSafe’s Accessible and Adaptive Kayak Launch addresses these obstacles with features such as:

  • ADA-compliant aluminum gangway
  • Parallel boat slide for stable entry
  • Tiered boarding bench with pull-out seat
  • Roll cage with overhead grab bar and hand straps, and pull bars
  • A cradle that keeps the kayak steady when entering and exiting

These elements ensure safe, independent, and universal access for all paddlers, including those who use wheelchairs, older adults, children, and beginners. The inclusive design makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the freedom and recreation of paddling.

Common Uses

BoardSafe works with landscape architects, city planners, and engineers to create or enhance access to lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas. Their primary customers include:

  • Municipalities, counties, and state parks
  • Water trail organizations
  • Urban and commercial waterfront revitalization projects

Because the docks and gangways are floating systems, they adapt to fluctuating water levels caused by flooding or tides, making them well-suited for a wide variety of environments.

Factors That Influence Pricing

The cost of a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch depends on several variables:

  • Size and complexity – Larger or more advanced systems require additional materials and labor.
  • Materials – Durable, commercial-grade aluminum adds long-term value but increases upfront costs.
  • Custom options – Adaptive features like grab bars, pull straps, or tiered benches are tailored to user needs.
  • Gangway and chute length – Length depends on site conditions and ADA slope requirements; some reach 100 feet.
  • Installation site – Geography, water conditions, and anchoring needs determine overall system design.
  • Foundation requirements – Options range from precast foundations to poured concrete for high-current or tidal areas.
  • Installation process – Labor, equipment, tools, and insurance are included in project costs.

BoardSafe offers a wide range of modular components that can be customized to site-specific conditions. Project costs vary greatly—from as little as $20,000 for a simple clip-a-launch to several hundred thousand dollars for complex, large-scale systems. Because of the many variables, precise pricing requires a site evaluation and engineering. Boardsafe offers an initial consultation free of charge.

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