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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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Glidance Wins InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest: Revolutionizing Mobility for the Blind

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Tampa Bay, FL – July 18, 2024 – In a groundbreaking event celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Glidance emerged as the champion in the InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest. The competition, hosted by TravelAbility and held in conjunction with Destinations International’s annual convention, showcased cutting-edge innovations designed to remove barriers for travelers with disabilities. The Final Four were selected from over 45 companies seen at CES, CSUN, Abilities Expo and through an extensive product hunt.

The winner: Glidance: Pioneering Self-Guided Mobility for the Blind

Glidance, the world’s first self-guided mobility aid, combines artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology to create a robotic version of the service dog. Designed specifically for individuals with visual impairments, Glidance offers a revolutionary solution for navigating airports, hotels, and public spaces. Judges were impressed by its affordability and potential impact on the blind community.

“Amos Miller, the founder of Glidance, faced a critical question during the competition,” noted Jake Steinman, curator of the InnovateAble program. “Would this device render guide dogs obsolete? His response was insightful: While there are 9 million blind individuals in the U.S., there are only 80,000 guide dogs. Glidance fills a crucial gap and has ample room for growth.”

Other Remarkable Innovations

The InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest also featured three other remarkable innovations:

  1. AccessRec (Mobility): Co-founded by the creator of Mobi Mats, AccessRec introduced the concept of universally designed beaches. Their line beach mats, beach wheelchairs, and other recreational accessories make beaches, lakes, and uneven surfaces accessible to all.
  2. 360 Direct Video (Deafness): Empower 360 leverages AI-enabled American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in multiple languages. These avatars provide real-time ASL interpretation via video, enhancing communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers.
  3. Neurodiversity/Autism: Travelers with hidden disabilities and a sunflower lanyard that is now recognized in over 240 airports in over30 countries around the world .

TravelAbility and Destinations International remain committed to fostering innovation that empowers travelers of all abilities. The InnovateAble @DI Pitchfest exemplifies their dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible travel industry.

About TravelAbility: TravelAbility is a leading organization dedicated to advancing accessible travel and tourism. Through partnerships, education, and advocacy, TravelAbility strives to make travel a seamless experience for everyone, regardless of ability.

About Destinations International: Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, representing over 6,000 professionals from 600 destinations in 15 countries. Their mission is to drive economic development through travel and tourism.

Announcing the 10 Finalists for InnovateAble 2024

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Dive into InnovateAble 2024, The Shark Tank of Accessible Travel Tech, on ADA’s 34th Anniversary

Get ready for an inspiring virtual showcase like no other! On July 26, 2024, we’re celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a groundbreaking event that’s all about empowering travel for those with disabilities. “I’m thrilled to announce InnovateAble, a unique pitch fest that’s reminiscent of Shark Tank, but with a twist,” said Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility. “It’s dedicated to showcasing assistive technology, services and innovations that promise to revolutionize travel for people with disabilities and seniors.”

Event Details:

  • Date: July 26, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific Time on Zoom
  • Format: Quick-fire 3-minute pitches with a 7-minute Q&A

This event is not just a competition: it’s a beacon of innovation, organized by the forward-thinkers at TravelAbility. The TravelAbility team spent hours researching over 45 companies/products and after an exhaustive process selected 12 finalists to present to our panel of judges. We’re proud to share that past participants have raised a staggering $563.4 million in funding, proving that these innovations are not just visionary but also viable.

GlidanceThe world’s first self-guided mobility aid combines AI and sensor technology to create the first robotic guide dog.
Travel GeniusLocation intelligence platform that detects accessibility features using AI technology.
Hero HingeBattery operated units inserted in door hinges to automate doors so they can be opened with push-button, by app or by voice.
RollzCreates colorfully innovative rollators that can be converted to wheelchairs.
360 EmpowerAI enabled ASL interpreters in multiple-language avatars that come in via video to provide ASL interpretation.
KultureCityThe leading non-profit for training on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with hidden disabilities.
Be My EyesConnects blind or visually impaired individuals with AI mobile app for real-time video interpretation via video calls.
ContactaA network of hearing loop installers throughout North America and Europe.
True OmniAdding accessibility to kiosks at visitor centers, welcome centers and information desks.
CTI One Corp:AI enabled rollators for that can be summoned from your phone.
Ostrum TechAirport assistance platform which brings all aviation stakeholders and passengers together.
WhimbleProviding trained companions for travel and accessibility concierges for events and festivals.

Meet Our Esteemed 2024 InnovateAble Judges: 
Chris Maher, Founder, Samaritan Partners Investment Fund
Caryl Stern, Chief Impact Officer, LionTree Capital (formerly Executive Director of The Walton Family Foundation and Unicef)
Betty Siegel, Director of Office of  Accessibility, the Kennedy Center for the Arts and founder of the LEAD Conference, accessibility solutions for cultural and arts institutions
Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
Olivia Thomaszewski, Age Tech Collaborative, AARP
Zach Curry, VP Rooms Operations and Guest Experience, Marriott Corporation
Katy Roberts, Portfolio Manager, Racoon Media Group/Abilities Expo
 
 
About TravelAbility
TravelAbility provides thought leadership in accessible travel to improve the lives of people of ALL abilities and ALL ages, and aims to inspire and educate the travel industry to provide accessible experiences to help people with disabilities enjoy travel as much as everyone else. TravelAbility is also the host of the Emerging Markets Summit, the premier industry conference on accessible travel. The 2024 Summit will be held in San Francisco on Nov.13-15th at the Argonaut Hotel. For more information, visit www.travelability.net.
 
Contact: Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbility. jake@travelability.net. +1 415-339-0578

TravelAbility Trusted: ILA Pro from Translate Live

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Two women on either side of a front desk look at the different screens of the A-frame shaped ILA Pro translation device. Caption: "Someone just needs to step up to ILA, press the button and start speaking.

Translate Live: The ILA Pro merges top-notch software with smart product design

Translation software has made big strides in recent years, thanks in part to AI. Translate Live is setting itself apart from a crowded field of translation services by packaging their software in a very practical format. The ILA Pro features two screens that can be set up back to back in an A-frame that allows two people to have a real-time translated conversation. A perfect accessory for a visitor center, museum, or hotel front desk. The ILA Pro can translate  more than 100 languages including braille and ASL with the ability to connect to human signers. 

Watch the presentation Translate Live’s CEO and founder Peter Hayes submitted for the InnovateAble competition at EMS 2023.

TravelAbility Launches TravelAbility Trusted, a New Program to Promote Accessibility in the Travel Industry

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Sausalito, CA.  TravelAbility, the leading organization working to improve the travel experience for people with disabilities, has announced the launch of TravelAbility Trusted, a new program that aims to connect travel industry professionals with pre-qualified consultants, service providers, and cutting-edge innovations that can help them become more accessible and inclusive.

TravelAbility Trusted is based on the judges’ selections from five years of the InnovateAble Showcase pitch fest event, as well as the feedback from destinations about the viability for use by their industry partners.

“TravelAbility Trusted is our way of sharing our knowledge and network with the travel industry and making it easier for them to find the best resources and partners to meet their accessibility needs,” said Jake Steinman, founder, and CEO of TravelAbility. “We believe that accessibility is not only a human right, but also a business opportunity, and we want to help the industry tap into the growing market of travelers with disabilities and other emerging markets.”

TravelAbility Trusted Partners Comes to Life

In addition to its regular programming at Travelability’s EMS Summit, this year we will add an exclusive concurrent tabletop exhibit area where attendees can meet with TravelAbility Trusted vendors in person as well as half-day workshop on the travel needs of the aging traveler.  TravelAbility Trusted will also be promoted to the travel trade through TravelAbility Insider, a monthly newsletter with news, trends, and information about accessibility, and Accessible Journeys Magazine, a quarterly travel magazine for consumers. “TravelAbility is more than just an organization, it’s a movement,” said Steinman. “We are proud to be part of a growing community of travelers, innovators, and advocates who are working together to make travel easier and more accessible for everyone.”

TravelAbility Trusted Partners

Check out our current list of partners on our website:

Solution Providers: Innovations, technologies and amenities  https://travelability.net/trusted-problem-solvers

Services Providers: Provide consulting, assessments and advisory services: https://travelability.net/trusted-service-providers/

Jansport Designs Adaptive Backpacks for Wheelchair Users 

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Pen and ink sketches of four different Jansport backpacks hanging on wheelchairs in various waysl

You can hang any old backpack on a wheelchair handle. But what if you asked top designers to build a better backpack for use with a wheelchair? What would it look like? That’s what Jansport did with its new Adaptive Collection. Read More

TravelAbility TakeAway: It’s wonderful to see a leading backpack maker dedicate a collection for the adaptive market.