The Intersection of Travel and Disability
Each month we feature the 3-minute pitch from an innovation, technology or amenity presented at the 2024 InnovateAble Showcase held on July 26th.
Be My Eyes won Judges’ Selection with this pitch. Be My Eyes is a visionary platform connecting blind and visually impaired individuals in customer call centers and visitor centers with Chat GTP 4 AI visual interpreters. Check out their winning pitch, here.
Information and inspiration from around web.
TV Host: “Pets Are Treated Better On Planes Than Disabled People” | Business Insider
Making Shakespeare In Tahoe Accessible To Everyone | Sierrasun.Com
Travelmation Announces Inaugural Accessibility Cruise | Travelage West
A Round Up Of Free Travel Apps For Greater Accessibility And Convenience | Travel And Tour World
Spanish Tourist Office Releases “Launching Point” Report Designed To Spur Best Practices In Accessible Travel | Travel Weekly
Uae’s Amsaan Accessible Tours Introduces A Series Of Guided Tours In International Sign Language | Corporate-News – Gulf News
Sdc Launches Singapore’s First Accessible Beach Track Along With Inclusive Tours
Pottery Barn Adds Dozen Of Pieces Of Furniture Designed With Accessibility In Mind | Disability Scoop
This Travel Booking Site Just Made It Easier For Travelers With Disabilities To Find Accessible Campsites
In a dynamic display of innovation and commitment to accessibility, the 6th Annual InnovateAble Showcase took center stage on July 26th, commemorating the 34th anniversary of the ADA. Hosted by Travelability, this “shark tank” style event featured groundbreaking assistive technologies designed to break down barriers for travelers with disabilities.
Key Highlights:
Jake Steinman, founder of Travelability, summed up the event: “The InnovateAbile Showcase exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that’s creating a more inclusive world for everyone. These groundbreaking technologies not only enhance travel experiences but also reinforce the spirit of the ADA, a law that has made America the most accessible country in the world.”
Congratulations to all of the InnovateAble finalists. They were chosen from over 100 companies that TravelAbility vetted for the competition.
Finalists:
We Hear You (Hero Door Opener)
Judges’ Selection
People’s Choice (attendees)
Katy Roberts, Portfolio Manager for Racoon Media Group, which manages the seven Abilities Expo events through North America, commented: “As one of the judges, I was hugely impressed by all of the pitches, the professionalism, innovative and pioneering solutions to bring more independence to the disability community. I can’t wait to see how all these companies develop their ideas in the future.”
“This was an extraordinary selection of innovative technologies,” commented Chris Maher, Founder of Samaritan Partners. “We have invested in two of the companies that were featured. Assistive products that have a business-to-business application are very attractive to venture investors and private capital because they don’t require massive investment to reach the end consumers.”
Travelability: Travelability is a trailblazing organization dedicated to making travel accessible for everyone. Through events like the InnovateAbile Showcase, they champion groundbreaking solutions that redefine the boundaries of travel.
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:
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.
Information and inspiration from around the web.
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Six years in the making, Eastern Lake Park features adaptive pontoons and kayaks, and wheelchairs that work on sand and water.
Metro Bilbao’s full rollout of Navilens technology is set to boost ROI by revolutionizing accessibility for visually impaired passengers—setting a new standard for transportation systems worldwide.
“It’s no good hotels saying ‘we’re accessible’ or having the wheelchair symbol, because it doesn’t mean anything to anyone really.” Blue Badge Access Award winners are setting the example and changing this discourse.
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