Mobility

Best Practices: Accessible Landing Page

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

By Jennifer Allen

While planning an upcoming campaign between Destination Ann Arbor and Wonders Within Reach, I popped over to their website to scout out family-friendly accessible highlights for our itinerary. I was blown away by how easy it was to find accessible options. This is the kind of website my family needs for planning a trip. Here are some of the things that made it easy to find what I needed:

Multiple ways to find the accessibility landing page. I could access the landing page from the “Plan a Trip” tab or from the “Accessibility” option at the bottom of the page, but I could also find a wide variety of itinerary ideas on the blog.

Diverse itinerary styles through the blog. Typically, if I find an accessible landing page for a destination, it’s an added bonus if they have an accessible itinerary with wheelchair friendly options. Destination Ann Arbor has multiple blog posts featuring accessible attractions. Instead of following an itinerary for a handful of accessible options, I can choose from accessible adventures, inclusive parks, trails, and outdoor activities, and sensory-friendly things to do – or create my own itinerary using all of the above. The blog posts include all of the details we need for each location, including trail chair loans and transportation.

Wheel the World Certified. As a verified destination with Wheel the World, I have a fool-proof way to book accessible accommodations and activities I need. It’s also another easy way to find accessible opinions, based on our own filters.

Shared lived-experiences. The plethora of photos and videos make it easy to confirm what will and will not work for us. I can visit with the confidence that wheelchair users have gone before and it’s worked for them – because I see it on their website.

Rabbit trails aren’t usually an issue for me, because there’s typically one tab with limited information showing all of my accessible options. I immensely enjoyed getting lost in ideas as I clicked through endless extensions of articles and itinerary options.

Around the Web

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Celebrities, major brands, and global initiatives for inclusion.

Actress Selma Blair on How Her Disability Impacts Travel

New Filmmaking Guidelines Show Inclusion Isn’t What We Thought it Was

Rare Accessible Ice Palace in Adirondacks

New Training Program for Accessible Travel Planning

Australia Doing Away with Accessible Rooms – The accessible hotel room will be a relic of the past – replaced by an integrated modularity and customization that offers personalized, universally adaptive accessibility.

Silver Train Makes New Tracks for Inclusion in China

The Right Equipment Gets Everyone on the Slopes at these Ski Destinations

Honda Creates the Scenic Drive for Visually Impaired

New Tactiles Bring Hogwarts to Life for Blind Fans

Shark Tank India Highlights Groundbreaking Disability Innovations

UN Tourism and AccessibleEU Partner for Global Accessible Tourism

Red Roof’s New Initiatives Give Back through Inclusion

Presentation of the Month

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore emerging trends, challenges, and solutions in making travel more accessible for all. Last year’s summit included a panel of six influencers sharing their insights on how disabled content creators amplify authenticity in accessible destinations.

Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Want to learn more from disabled content creators? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, happening at the beautiful Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025. The event will feature more panels with disability influencers, as well as exciting networking opportunities, including influencer speed dating sessions. Learn more and register today at travelability.net.

Leveraging the Insight of Content Creators to Amplify Authenticity

📌 Summary

♿ Disability Representation: Creators discuss their experiences growing up with disabilities, the challenges they faced, and how they now use their platforms to educate and inspire others.
✈️ Accessible Travel Challenges: Issues such as lack of accessible infrastructure, untrained staff, and misinformation on accessibility are highlighted as major barriers.
📱 Social Media and Awareness: Creators emphasize how social media plays a crucial role in spreading awareness, breaking stigmas, and educating people about disabilities.
📊 Audience Demographics: The panelists describe the diversity of their followers, ranging from individuals with disabilities to those seeking to learn more about inclusivity.
💡 Solutions for Accessibility: Suggestions include better staff training, clearer accessibility information online, and greater empathy from businesses.
🤝 Collaborating with Destinations: Content creators outline how they work with travel destinations to promote accessibility, including creating blog posts, social media content, and consulting on accessibility improvements.
📈 Impact of Authenticity: The importance of genuine representation and transparency when showcasing accessibility is emphasized, as misleading portrayals can be harmful.
⚠️ Handling Negative Experiences: Panelists discuss how they manage situations when accessibility falls short, advocating for constructive feedback and open dialogue.

🔢 Insights Based on Numbers

80% of blind people are unemployed, highlighting the need for workplace inclusivity.
A viral TikTok video with 25 million views showed the global interest in disability representation.
Many influencers have traveled to 40+ countries, demonstrating the demand for accessible travel.

Follow these Creators on Socials!

Alex Stratikis (Autism Adventures)

Instagram: @autismadventuresabroad

Facebook: @AutismAdventuresAbroad

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ns7/

Chelsea Bear

Instagram: @realchelseabear

Facebook: @realchelseabear

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseabear/

Jessica Ping (The Rolling Explorer)

Instagram: @therollingexplorer

Facebook: @therollingexplorer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajordanping/

Sassy Wyatt (Blind Girl Adventures)

Instagram: @sassywyattofficial

Facebook: @SassyWyattOfficial

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sass-wyatt-08ba46111/

Houston Vandergriff (Downs and Towns LLC.)

Instagram: @downsandtowns

Facebook: @downsandtowns/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/downs-and-towns-houston-vandergriff/

Top 20 Searched Destinations on Wheel the World (2024)

January 14, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

In 2024, Wheel the World, a leading booking engine for accessible travel, provided insights into the most searched destinations over the past year. This data reflects the growing interest in accessible travel options and highlights the preferences of travelers seeking inclusive experiences.

Top 20 US Destinations

New York, NY
Las Vegas, NV
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
Maui, HI
Alaska (Statewide)
Honolulu, HI
Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
Los Angeles, CA
Boston, MA
New Orleans, LA
Florida (Statewide)
San Diego, CA
Myrtle Beach, SC
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nashville, TN
Atlanta, GA
Seattle, WA

Analysis by Region

East Coast (35%)
West Coast (25%)
South (25%)
Hawaii & Alaska (10%)
Midwest (5%)

Key Observations

1. Diverse Destinations: The list features a mix of urban centers, beach destinations, and natural wonders. Cities like New York and Las Vegas are popular for their vibrant culture and entertainment, while places like Maui and Alaska attract those seeking natural beauty and adventure.

2. East Coast Dominance: The East Coast accounts for 35% of the top destinations searched, indicating a strong preference for major cities like New York, Miami, and Washington, DC. This could be attributed to the region’s rich history, cultural attractions, and accessible transportation options.

3. Significant Southern Appeal: The South also represents 25% of the top destinations, with Orlando and Miami leading the charge. This reflects the popularity of theme parks, beaches, and warm weather, making it a favored choice for families and vacationers.

4. West Coast Representation: The West Coast, with destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, captures 25% of the searches. This region is known for its diverse landscapes, entertainment, tech hubs, and cultural experiences, appealing to a wide range of travelers.

5. Hawaii and Alaska: The inclusion of Hawaii and Alaska highlights the interest in beach and natural outdoor options, catering to those seeking relaxation and adventure.

6. Midwest Underrepresentation: The Midwest only accounts for 5% of the top destinations searched, suggesting that travelers may prioritize coastal and urban experiences over the more rural and less densely populated areas of the Midwest.