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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Neurodiversity

August News from the TravelAbility Community

July 31, 2025 by lkarl

This summer is HOT with TravelAbility community action! From camping to flying, this community is shaking up the very foundations of travel. Check out the latest achievements and well-earned accolades from your fellow changemakers.

Jan Bonnville | Recapturing that Special Outdoor Feeling

A smiling woman reclines on a three-wheeled adaptive recumbent bike on a beachside trail, wearing sunglasses, a gray beanie, green vest, and black pants. Next to her sits a large Bernese Mountain Dog with its tongue out, also appearing to smile. An orange safety flag extends from the back of the bike. The dry, sandy terrain and open sky evoke a sense of freedom, adventure, and companionship in the outdoors.

For me, the saddest part of living with multiple sclerosis and losing mobility was no longer being able to go for walks. I loved strolling in the park, marveling at the stunning diversity of foliage…

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Sassy Wyatt | Guide to Digital Accessibility

 Illustrated book cover for “The Smart Marketer’s Guide to Digital Accessibility” by Sassy Wyatt, featuring a red-haired woman and a blind man with a white cane working together at a table, with a guide dog sitting nearby.

I lost my sight at 22. That changed everything. But what made life harder wasn’t the blindness itself, it was trying to live in a world, especially a digital one, that wasn’t designed with disabled people in mind.

Suddenly I couldn’t finish my degree because the platforms weren’t accessible. I couldn’t apply for jobs because the forms weren’t usable. I couldn’t even use social media in the same way as everyone else, not because I didn’t want to, but because the tools weren’t built to include me.

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Visit Lauderdale | Destinations Moving in the Right (Accessible) Direction

Two people in separate boats navigate a misty, tree-lined river at dawn; the scene is quiet and atmospheric, with dense fog obscuring the background and creating a sense of mystery and solitude.

As the demand for inclusive travel continues to grow, TripAdvisor has unveiled a new initiative aimed at providing accessible travel experiences for all. In collaboration with Visit Lauderdale, the site has introduced a dedicated landing page that focuses on accessible destinations and…

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Visit California | Autism Certified Cities and Sensory Friendly Destinations

 Children explore a brightly lit, interactive museum space featuring a large circular color mixing machine, colorful light installations, and various hands-on exhibits designed to engage sensory play and learning.

California’s attractions are designed for everyone to enjoy, including neurodivergent travelers and individuals with autism or sensory-processing sensitivities…

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Visit Mesa | MFA Announces First Grant Recipients

Graphic showing a desert landscape with tall cacti in the foreground and a hazy city in the distance. Centered in the image is the official IBCCES Certified Autism Center (CAC) seal. A yellow ribbon below the seal reads “Certified Autism Center.” Curved text above and below the seal reads: “Congratulations Grant Recipients!”

We’re excited to announce the inaugural recipients of the Mesa For All Autism Certification Grant Program!

The Mesa For All Foundation received 10 applications from Mesa-based businesses eager to become Autism Certified. After careful review, the board selected three outstanding recipients. The grant application opened in April 2025 in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Month and closed on June 16…..

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Taylor Aguilar | The Blind Movement TV Show

Logo for "The Blind Movement" featuring bold black text next to a stylized pair of sunglasses with a white cane tucked behind the ear, set against a marbled yellow and white background.

In 2020, filmmaker Taylor Leigh Aguilar suddenly and unexpectedly lost her sight. She took a leave of absence from film school at Loyola Marymount University to attend the Colorado Center for The Blind…

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Visit Lauderdale | Planning an Accessible Trip Just Got Easier with TripAdvisor’s New Tool

An older man in a power wheelchair rolls along a beach access path, holding a large black umbrella for shade and carrying plastic bags on the chair’s handles, with a crowded beach scene in the background.

Travelers looking to plan an accessible getaway may have a new first stop at TripAdvisor. The site, in partnership with Visit Lauderdale, introduced a landing page for accessible destinations and experiences, where reviews from fellow…

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Wheel the World | Survival to SafariNew Tool

Wheeltheworldlogo

Years ago, Lee and his wife, Ginny, were planning the trip of a lifetime: a safari in South Africa. But just weeks before, everything changed — Lee got sick, and ended up losing all four of his limbs. The trip never happened. Until now.

Watch Here

Sunflower Lanyard Program | Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all Who Want to Travel

A box filled with green sunflower lanyards, symbolizing hidden disabilities, sits on a table with the words “Hidden Disabilities” printed on the front, alongside a sunflower graphic and a QR code.

The Rapid City Regional Airport partnered with local organizations for  Wings of Wonder. The event’s goal is to help people with disabilities easily navigate the airport from the moment they park their car until they find their seat on the plane…

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AARP | Accessible Campgrounds

Two yellow-orange tents are set up in a peaceful forest clearing, with tall pine trees casting long shadows as golden sunlight filters through the trees.

The rising costs of accommodations can be one of the biggest barriers to taking more trips. One way to keep travel more affordable is to consider the many campsites available across the U.S….

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National Parks | How U.S. National Parks are Becoming More Autism Friendly

A sunlit forest trail winds through towering sequoia trees, with a few visitors visible in the distance, and wooden fences guide the accessible path through the dense, majestic landscape.

The sense of peace is palpable along the Big Trees Trail in California’s Sequoia National Park. All around my family, 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees—some of the world’s oldest and largest—stand in quiet solitude in a mountain landscape suited….

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Visit Richmond and John Morris | Richmond, VA, Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

A panoramic view of downtown Richmond, Virginia, featuring a mix of modern and historic buildings, a long freight train crossing a trestle bridge over the James River, and autumn-colored trees lining the riverbanks.

Incorporated in 1742, Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the oldest cities in the United States. Located along the James River, the city has been at the center of…

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Visit Florida | Best Destinations for Senior Travel

A group of older adults strolls along a tropical garden pathway lined with vibrant flowers and palm trees, with mountains and the ocean visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Winter often brings a desire for cozy escapes and relaxing getaways, but as people grow older, their travel preferences and habits often shift. International trips may lose their appeal due to challenges like mobility issues, health concerns, and the complexities of travel logistics….

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Travel Oregon | Travel Oregon Awards Nearly $6.2M to Dozens of Groundbreaking Projects Across the State

Travel Oregon Logo

Travel Oregon is awarding nearly $6.2 million to 65 groundbreaking projects that it says will transform visitor access across the state while also strengthening local economies.

The 2024-25 Travel Oregon Competitive Grants Program was designed to increase access…

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Travel Oregon Accessibility Grants

Travel Oregon is seeing the fruit of their awarded accessibility grants. Check out these grant-funded projects.

Prineville Golf Course Unveils Cart for People in Wheelchairs

A man drives an accessible single-rider golf cart across a scenic golf course in Prineville, Oregon, surrounded by grassy hills and clear blue skies.

Derek Shike is a 31-year-old medical coder in Portland. Golf wasn’t always his cup of tea.

“For me, golfing, I always thought it was…

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Oregon Adaptive Sports Receives $60,000 to Implement Adaptive Paddling Program

Three cyclists, including one using an adaptive handcycle, ride along a dirt trail through a pine forest on a sunny day, showcasing accessible outdoor recreation.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, a Bend-based nonprofit,  has received $60,000 from Travel Oregon to expand the adaptive mountain biking program and introduce an adaptive paddling program for locals and visitors with disabilities…

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Dirty Freehub’s Inclusive Gravel Cycling Campaign Empowers Riders with Disabilities

A cyclist rides along a gravel trail in a scenic, dry landscape surrounded by shrubs and trees, while an inset image of the "Western Oregon All Access Gravel Guide" cover shows a rider on a similar trail through golden fields with Mount Hood in the background.

Dirty Freehub, a Bend-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting gravel cycling adventures, is launching a new statewide campaign to empower and inspire people with visible and non-visible disabilities to explore Oregon by gravel bike…

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NE Oregon Projects Receive State Tourism Grants

A lake with a mountain in the background

Six projects and programs in Northeastern Oregon have received big state tourism grants.

Travel Oregon announced Monday, June 30, it has awarded $6.2 million….

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ADA 35 Lineup

TravelAbility logo with the tagline "Celebrating ADA35"

We’re only at the beginning of TravelAbility’s lineup of events to celebrate ADA’s 35th anniversary. Here’s what’s on the schedule!

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

Updates from Travelability Summer Advisory Board meeting

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

TravelAbility’s board meetings are where accessibility champions drop big news and remind us that accessibility never sleeps.

Please welcome our newest board members: Kathy Brown of Visit Orlando, Carol Giuliani of Senior Travel Companion Services, and Robert Harris the new leader of global accessibility for Royal Caribbean Group.

Wheel the World to launch AI Accessibility Travel Advisor prototype with Experience Grand Rapids.

KultureCity is opening two new KultureCity sensory rooms in the Salt Lake City airport at the end of August, complete with training and certifying TSA personnel. They’re also bringing on 22 Visit California welcome centers.

Downs and Towns have taken on seven influencer trips this year – six of which were through TravelAbility contacts.

Travel Michigan is up to four locations that have become Destination Verified through Wheel the World.

Destinations International and TravelAbility are working with UnchainedAi to develop an AI companion for the TravelAbility Playbook.

Airbnb hosted an inclusive travel event in Brussels. The event brought together different organizations and thought leaders to discuss making Europe a more inclusive destination.

New York City Tourism and Conventions announced that the MTA will add 12 more accessible subway stations across four boroughs, with plans to make at least 60 additional stations Ada accessible. That will enable nearly 70% of all subway rides to start or end at accessible stations.

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Filed Under: Advisory Board, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Neurodiversity, Transportation

Live Nation and KultureCity Partner to Create Sensory Accessible Concerts

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

The largest sensory accessibility partnership ever brings inclusion to live entertainment.

Live Nation is proud to announce a collaboration with KultureCity to certify 25 Live Nation-operated venues across the U.S. and Canada as Sensory Inclusive™, setting a new standard for hospitality and accessibility in live entertainment. 

Each venue in the partnership has received KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, which includes:

  • Sensory Training: Crew members are trained to recognize and support the needs of fans who may think or process things differently.
  • Sensory Bags: Reusable bags filled with items to reduce sensory overload and enhance comfort for fans of all ages.
  • Venue Signage: Clear indicators for quiet zones, sensory bag pickup locations, and other helpful guidance.
  • KultureCity App Integration: Allows individuals to find certified venues and prepare ahead of events.

Fans can look out for signage directing them to sensory bags, headphone zones, and designated quiet areas. These resources are available at no cost for individuals or families who may need them during their visit. Live Nation crew have dedicated team members focused on accessibility and inclusion, ensuring fans receive the support they need throughout their experience. 

“We’re committed to making sure fans feel welcome at our venues and we’re extremely proud of this certification,” said Karl Adams, Head of Venue Operations for Live Nation.

Thanks to our partnership with KultureCity, our venues are taking a new approach to hospitality and improving fan experience.”

Certified venues include Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront (Richmond, VA) and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (Tampa, FL).

With an eye to the future, Live Nation will certify an additional nine indoor venues this Fall.

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Conferences & Events, Museums & Attractions, Neurodiversity, The Arts

INNOVATEAble Pitchfest 2025 Results: The Envelope Please…

July 30, 2025 by lkarl

The virtual competition took place last Friday, July 25th, and highlighted impressive pitches from:

  • ADAPTS: A lightweight transfer sling for safer mobility in tight or inaccessible spaces.
  • BoardSafe Docks: Adaptive kayak launches and floating docks that expand waterfront access.
  • Koda: AI-powered live captioning that works on any device, no app required.
  • Lotus: A smart ring that controls devices with a simple point—no Wi-Fi or rewiring needed.
  • RightHear: Audible wayfinding for blind and low vision travelers navigating indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • ScanMeHome: A QR-code ID system that helps quickly reunite loved ones who may wander.
  • Touch2See: 3D Tablets that let blind sports fans follow the action in real time.

The judges praised the caliber of entries and noted just how tough the competition was this year. With so many standout innovations, choosing winners wasn’t easy. In the end, real-time announcements revealed the final rankings:

1st Place (tie): BoardSafe Docks and Lotus
2nd Place:
ScanMeHome
3rd Place:
Koda

People’s Choice Award: Scan Me Home

Special thanks to our judges: Nick Nerbonne of Travel Michigan, Chris Maher of Samaritan Partners, Autumn Saxton-Ross from the National Recreation and Park Association, and Kristine McConnell of Travel Oregon.

Stay tuned for videos and special features highlighting each innovation!

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Filed Under: Blind Travel, Disability Advocates, Disability Awareness, Hearing, Mobility, Neurodiversity, Parks and Public spaces, Technology, TravelAbility Events, Vision

What are the Top 10 Trends in Accessible Travel?

July 4, 2025 by lkarl

Last year’s TravelAbility Summit featured a presentation revealing The Top Ten Trends for Accessible Travel in 2025. Read a summary and watch the full video below!

Summary

  • 🚕 Accessible Transportation Revolution
    Ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft face legal pressure to become wheelchair accessible. Rental cars now offer adaptive features and Ford introduces models with audio descriptions for blind users.
    Watch here
  • 🛫 Airports Embrace Universal Access
    New airport renovations include cutting-edge accessibility upgrades—like changing rooms—highlighted by Portland Airport’s initiatives.
    Watch here
  • 🧠 Smart Tech Enhances Navigation
    Google Maps adds wheelchair-accessible routes. Hotels now feature voice-activated controls and AI travel planners for a seamless, informed experience.
    Watch here
  • 🤫 Rise of Sensory-Friendly Destinations
    Quiet areas in airports and stores (e.g., Walmart) cater to neurodivergent travelers. Autism-friendly travel packages are growing in popularity.
    Watch here
  • 🛌 Universal Design in Accommodations
    Wider doorways, roll-in showers, and height-adjustable furniture are being adopted into architectural blueprints, making spaces inherently inclusive.
    Watch here
  • 🌍 Virtual Reality Previews
    Travelers can explore destinations through VR before visiting. Tools like 360° hotel room tours boost planning confidence.
    Watch here
  • 🧗 Inclusive Adventure Tourism
    Tools like Be My Eyes and Aira assist blind travelers in hiking and outdoor activities. Oregon leads with grants funding these innovations.
    Watch here
  • 🏖️ Accessible Beach Access Innovations
    Greece installs ramps into the sea for wheelchair users. Sensory-safe beach areas are being designed for neurodiverse visitors.
    Watch here
  • 📋 Nano Training for Hospitality
    Scandinavian hotels use sub-50-second videos to train staff on disability service—an efficient way to boost service quality.
    Watch here
  • 📺 Inclusive Representation in Media TV shows and marketing campaigns are increasingly spotlighting autism and disability. Large firms like Unilever are leading with inclusive messaging.
     Watch here

Watch Here

These trends aren’t just hypothetical—they’re being discussed, demonstrated, and accelerated at the TravelAbility Summit, where accessibility leaders, tourism professionals, and innovators come together to share solutions and spark progress. Join us October 13–15, 2025, at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon to experience the conversations shaping the future of travel. From live hands-on workshops and expert presentations to networking with changemakers, the Summit is where the next wave of accessibility innovation begins.

Register Today!

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Airlines, Disability Awareness, Emerging Markets Summit 2024, Neurodiversity, Travel, TravelAbility Summit, Trends, Video of the Month

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