TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Mobility

Greece Ramps Up Accessibility By Retrofitting Over 200 Beaches With Ramps That Fully Submerge Wheelchair Users Into The Sea

by

picture o a beach in Greece with Thatched umbrellas

Our Takeaway: Here’s an example of a country drawing a line in the sand, so to speak. They are spending tens of millions of dollars to make Greece the most preferred beach destination in the world for beach lovers.

Describing access to the sea as an inalienable human right, Greek tourism authorities are retrofitting 287 beaches across the country with self-operating wheelchair ramps.

Self-operating means that wheelchair users can operate it by themselves without assistance from a friend or employee, offering a flexible freedom rarely found in difficult terrain such as beach sand.

So far, work crews have already installed the Seatrac system on 147 beaches, where disabled people can enjoy swimming in the country’s famous blue waters. Read More.

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

650 Famous People with Non-Visible Disabilities. How Many Do You Recognize?

by

Billie Eilish with neon green hair holding a microphone and singing

This website unearthed 650+ famous people with disabilities during our recent research on neurodiversity. What is an example of a disability? According to Disabled World it is:

“A disability is often used to refer to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment, mental illness, and various types of chronic diseases. A disability can be present from birth or occur during a person’s lifetime.”

Our Takeaway: Shining the spotlight on successful people with hidden disabilities helps remove the stigma associated with hidden disabilities and reinforces the notion that a disability is not an obstacle to success. Read More.

Roll Play: Wheelchair User Shows PCMA Meeting Planners how Columbus Convention Center can be more Inclusive.

by

Rosemarie Rosetti consults with the meetings and conventions industry on being accessible for all. Watch this video as she assesses the Columbus Convention Center with a team of meeting planners. Below you’ll find a series of bit-size videos (50 seconds – 90 seconds) where she dissects accessibility features at the convention center and offers a plethora of tips. 

Our Takeaway: We applaud Profession Convention and Meetings Association (PCMA) for including an accessibility field on their registration form, revealing that 33 of the 3300 attendees at their Columbus convention identified as having a disability, around half had mobility issues with the remaining reporting issues around blind/visual impairment, deaf/hard of hearing, or cognitive disorders.

Boomers are Booming. Are We Ready?

by

As the world’s population is growing older, the tourism industry will have to adjust, meaning that tourism should be more accessible and inclusive for this category of travellers. Specifically, segments in the tourism sector should adapt and offer more pleasant experiences for this demographic that will soon become the leading group. Adapting, according to Kelly Torrens, the vice president for Kensington Tours, could include more breaks, slower walks, offering assistance for different activities and selecting less difficult terrains, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Our Takeaway: Destinations that ignore this market will lose market share to destinations and experiences that proactively prepare to serve this booming demographic.