Technology

Join us for the Only Assistive Technology Pitchfest Curated for the Travel Industry

July 6, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

The InnovateABLE pitchfest will be held July 26th in recognition of ADA34 commemorating the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participating companies represent the cutting edge in accessible technology and innovations that can be introduced through the destination marketing channel.

When: July 26th

Where: Via Zoom ( a link will be sent upon receipt of your RSVP)

What: A 3 minute video pitch from the company with a 7 minute Q/A with a panel of judges
comprised of investors and travel industry professionals
Time: 10AM PDT- 12:30PM PDT

Reserve Your Spot Today!

RSVP: Space is Limited to the first 150 attendees

The Agenda (all times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

10-10:15 AM	Welcome and Introduction to the Judges

10:15-10:25 AM	Rollz

10:26-10:36 AM	Glidance

10:37- 10:47 AM	Whimble

10:48-10:58 AM	Empower 360

10:59:00 AM-11:08 AM	True Omni

11:09-11:19 AM	Be My Eyes

11:20-11:30 AM	We Hear You (Hero Hinge)

11:31AM- 11:41 AM	Kulture City

11:42-11:53 AM	Contacta

11:54-12:04 PM	Sign Speak

To Learn More Visit our web-site and learn about our outstanding panel of Judges.

Announcing the 10 Finalists for InnovateAble 2024

June 4, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

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

Glidance	The world’s first self-guided mobility aid combines AI and sensor technology to create the first robotic guide dog.
Travel Genius	Location intelligence platform that detects accessibility features using AI technology.
Hero Hinge	Battery operated units inserted in door hinges to automate doors so they can be opened with push-button, by app or by voice.
Rollz	Creates colorfully innovative rollators that can be converted to wheelchairs.
360 Empower	AI enabled ASL interpreters in multiple-language avatars that come in via video to provide ASL interpretation.
KultureCity	The leading non-profit for training on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with hidden disabilities.
Be My Eyes	Connects blind or visually impaired individuals with AI mobile app for real-time video interpretation via video calls.
Contacta	A network of hearing loop installers throughout North America and Europe.
True Omni	Adding 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 Tech	Airport assistance platform which brings all aviation stakeholders and passengers together.
Whimble	Providing 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.13-15^th 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

March 30, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

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.

Accessible Destination Landing Pages We Love and Why: Visit the Palm Beaches

March 30, 2024 by Dan Tobin

Screen shot of the accessibility landing page: A man with an artificial leg pointing to something in a large fish tank as he talks to his young boy.

Five things we love about the Palm Beaches landing page:

It’s comprehensiveness! Everything from nature trails to museums to transportation etc.
Details, details, details. Sensory-friendly bathrooms without hand air dryers or auto-flush toilets; the width of bike paths; service animal policies
The personal touch. First person itineraries by Cory Lee, deaf visitor Lily Yu, and local expert Cayetana Uranga, who has CP. And that’s just for starters!
Easy to navigate. Nothing better than a ton of information that is clearly organized.
Did we mention comprehensiveness? Specific concrete information related to vision impairments; deafness; autism; wheelchair accessibility; intellectual disabilities. . .