Tourism season has begun and both accessible destinations and disabled travelers are ready. Check out what Visit Richmond, Explore Prineville, and the National Park Service have done to prepare, then read about how our travelers kicked off the season.
Parks and Public spaces
How the Industry can Make Travel More Inviting to Blind and Low Vision Travelers
Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore how to make travel more accessible for everyone. Last year’s summit included a panel of blind travelers who shared the challenges they’ve encountered and offered insights on how destinations can eliminate barriers to blind travel.
Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Want to learn more? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025, where you can connect with industry experts and disability advocates dedicated to making travel more inclusive for all.
Summary
- 🏨 Accessible Hotel Experience: Hilton integrates “Be My Eyes”, allowing blind guests to receive assistance in navigating their rooms and amenities.
- 🚖 Ride-Share Challenges: Blind travelers face cancellation issues with Uber/Lyft due to guide dogs. Some drivers refuse to pick them up, causing major inconvenience.
- 🌎 Consistency in Accessibility: Industry experts emphasize the need for standardized Braille signage placement, so blind individuals can easily locate information.
- 🗺️ Navigation Solutions: GPS apps, breadcrumb tracking, and NaviLens QR codes are proposed to enhance navigation in hotels, parks, and public venues.
- 🏕️ Accessible Outdoor Travel: Blind hikers prefer better trail markings and audio guidance over excessive infrastructure changes.
- 🏛️ Inclusive Museums & Attractions: Museums should provide tactile maps, high-contrast signs, and digital audio guides for blind visitors.
- 🐕 Service Dog Challenges: Despite legal protections, hotels and ride services often misunderstand service dog policies, leading to unnecessary restrictions.
- 🔊 Elevator Accessibility: Adding audio announcements to elevators improves accessibility, making travel easier for blind and visually impaired guests.
- 🌍 Advocacy & Industry Standards: Experts encourage travel organizations to advocate for more accessible experiences, including better training for staff and public awareness initiatives.
Insights Based on Numbers
- 20-40% of guide dog users face rejection from ride-share services due to misinformation or discrimination.
- Hilton’s partnership with “Be My Eyes” enables guests to receive real-time visual assistance from trained personnel.
- 273 Oregon State Parks are working towards better accessibility through improved signage, GPS solutions, and advocacy.
Best Practices: California Opens Up Public Lands to ALL People
The EXPLORE Act, or the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act, is designed to improve access to outdoor spaces, including people with disabilities, veterans, and children. BLM is digging in to both improve access, and to share all that’s already available. Last month, they highlighted seven accessible outdoor destinations spanning the length of California, along with details on accessible trails and resources to help you experience each destination. Inclusive experiences such as accessible camping, fishing, and trails in Northern California; virtual tours and accessible wetlands in Central California; online exploration of a historic lighthouse on the coast; and sensory-friendly experiences and accessible learning tools in Southern California—are all designed to ensure public lands are welcoming and usable for everyone.
Outdoor destinations can be one of the most daunting spaces for removing barriers, but BLM is showing all that is possible as they work to create adventures for all to enjoy.
Read more here: https://www.blm.gov/blog/2025-04-10/blm-recreation-sites-available-all-exploring-accessibility-californias-public-lands
Around the Web
Information and inspiration from around the web
How a Paralyzed Man Moved a Robotic Arm with His Thoughts
This Open Caption Technology Creates a Better Experience for Both Hearing Impaired and Hearing Audiences
Collaborate with Our Designing for Accessibility Project
EpilepSki Returns to Vermont Making Winter Sports Accessible for All
From Accidental Tourist to Adaptive Travel Host
British Airways Launches a Dedicated Customer Service Team for Disabled Passengers
Noble County Spotlights Accessibility Through New Project
‘Making Our Parks More Welcoming and Inviting’: Tennessee State Parks Hires Accessibility Coordinator
Travel and Leisure Shares how Blind Travelers See the World in Ways Beyond the Visual
News from the Travelability Community
From California and British Columbia to Germany and around the globe, the TravelAbility community is making waves – and headlines.
Visit California | Ventura County Legislator Pushing to Make State Parks More Accessible to Those with Disabilities
Destinations International | Beyond Boundaries: Stories of Resilience and Inclusion in Accessible Travel
Destination BC | Invictus Games 2025: Why British Columbia is becoming a Hub for Accessible Winter Adventure
Shaping the Future of Accessible Tourism at ITB Berlin 2025
Lane County, Oregon | Accessibility Projects Work to Make Mount Pisgah Arboretum More Welcoming
Wheel the World | Accessible Travel Tips from Our Community
Incredible Memories Travel, Royal Caribbean, and Easy Access Travel | Accessible Travel Revisited: Readers Have Questions, Suggestions
Morgan’s Studio Launches with New Inclusion Unlimited Series
WAYMO | Ride For Two: Our Eyes-free Adventure
(Watch the full adventure on YouTube)
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