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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Tourism

TravelAbility Taps Former BrandUSA CMO, Staci Mellman as Strategic Advisor to Advisory Board

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

TravelAbility, a leading organization dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities, is proud to announce the appointment of Staci Mellman as a strategic advisor and Advisory Board member focusing on expanding the organization’s reach across the USA and enhancing its brand visibility among destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and travel professionals.

With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, Staci previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at both Brand USA and VISIT FLORIDA, where she led groundbreaking initiatives to make travel marketing more inclusive, authentic, and accessible. She spearheaded efforts to expand accessibility across Florida, creating inclusive content series and advertising campaigns—one of which was recognized by AdWeek as a Top 10 Accessible Brand Campaign of 2020.

Key Areas of Staci Mellman’s Focus:

  • Raising Awareness: Increasing TravelAbility’s recognition among DMOs, travel brands, and industry leaders.
  • Industry Education: Providing resources and best practices to help destinations attract and serve travelers of all abilities.
  • Advancing Inclusive Marketing: Helping travel brands communicate accessibility efforts in an authentic, engaging, and impactful way.

“I have always believed that travel is a fundamental experience that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability,” said Mellman. “By working with TravelAbility, I hope to help travel brands and destinations create more inclusive experiences that connect with and serve travelers of all abilities. Travel is not just about seeing new places—it’s about feeling welcome, represented, and empowered to explore the world.”

Strengthening the Future of Accessible Travel

TravelAbility remains dedicated to bridging the gap between the travel industry and the disability community. With the appointment of Staci Mellman, the organization is poised to make even greater strides in creating a more inclusive, accessible future for travelers everywhere.

“Staci is genuinely one of the most inspiring and creative individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past six years. Her passion for data was matched only by her commitment to positive activism. As the leader of Visit Florida, she spearheaded numerous campaigns that highlight the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities and her goal was clear: she wanted to make Florida the most accessible state in the country. We’re honored to have her as part of our advisory board.”

Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbilityFor more information on TravelAbility’s initiatives, visit https://travelability.net/

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Filed Under: Advisory Board, Disability Awareness, Tourism, Travel, Travel Industry People

News from the TravelAbility Community

February 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Disability Awareness, Parks and Public spaces, Tourism

ITA Partners with TravelAbility to Enhance Accessibility in Travel and Tourism

February 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has announced a significant new strategic partnership with TravelAbility, aimed at promoting inclusive and accessible tourism experiences. This collaboration is a vital step forward in advancing the goals outlined in the National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

A Commitment to Inclusive Tourism

This partnership highlights the ITA’s dedication to fostering a vibrant and sustainable travel industry that benefits everyone. Through a series of joint events, webinars, outreach initiatives, and training programs, ITA and TravelAbility will empower industry stakeholders to adopt accessibility initiatives. This effort is expected to unlock new opportunities to attract international travelers and increase spending in the United States.

 “Accessibility is a critical component of a competitive travel and tourism industry,” stated Brian Beall, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism at ITA. “This partnership with TravelAbility reflects our shared vision of ensuring the U.S. is a welcoming destination for travelers of all abilities while contributing to economic growth and job creation.”

Enhancing Travel Experiences for All

TravelAbility brings its expertise to the table, assisting travel organizations in seamlessly integrating accessibility into product development, visitor services, and marketing efforts. This is particularly important as approximately 1 in 6 travelers has a disability, and improving their experiences can significantly contribute to tourism growth.

Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility, emphasized the progress made in the U.S. regarding accessibility: “Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not perfect, its 35 years of implementation have made the United States the most reliably accessible destination in the world. While many other countries have only recently introduced their own disability laws, every new or renovated hotel, attraction, restaurant, and museum in the U.S. since 1990 is designed to be accessible.”

Driving Economic Growth

Since the launch of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy in 2022, ITA’s National Travel and Tourism Office has collaborated with various federal agencies to implement initiatives that create American jobs and stimulate economic growth through travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation. The United States is on track to meet a key goal of welcoming 90 million international visitors, who are projected to spend $279 billion annually, by 2026—one year earlier than anticipated.

ITA’s Strategic Partnership Program aims to leverage the efforts of trade associations, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, and other organizations to further ITA’s mission of supporting the international competitiveness of U.S. industry and promoting U.S. exports, including travel and tourism goods and services.

About the Organizations

International Trade Administration (ITA) 

The ITA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, serves as the premier government resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. With operations in over 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses in exporting and expanding globally, and ensures fair trade by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information, visit [www.trade.gov]

 TravelAbility 

TravelAbility is a pioneering organization dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities. The organization aims to create a world where everyone can explore and enjoy travel without barriers. By raising awareness and fostering partnerships within the travel industry, TravelAbility is committed to making travel a more inclusive experience for all.

This partnership between ITA and TravelAbility marks a significant advancement in the travel and tourism sector, ensuring that accessibility becomes a fundamental aspect of the industry, ultimately benefiting travelers of all abilities.

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Filed Under: Government, Tourism

News from the TravelAbility Community

January 14, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Triumphs of our own – How the TravelAbility Community is Leading Accessibility Innovators in Transforming Travel and Tourism Worldwide

Susie D.: The Language Architect Behind Meta’s Accessibility Movement

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Wonders Within Reach’s 2024 Accessible Travel Awards

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Wheel the World’s Accessibility Makeover in Kalamazoo

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Accessible to All: Visit Vacaville Focuses on Inclusivity

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State Tourism Funds Go to Good Use in Southern Colorado

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Google Introduces PaliGemma 2: The AI That Sees

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Live a Disability Experience in NYSCI’s Human Plus Exhibit

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Mesa’s Journey Toward Becoming a Fully Inclusive and Accessible Destination

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Autonomous Cars Meet Accessible Rides in Houston WAV Pilot

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The Nature Conservancy Pioneers Equitable Access on New York trails

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Mesa Welcomes Every Body for Spring Training

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Accessible Landing Pages, Tourism, Travel

Around the Web

January 14, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Information and inspiration from around the web.

Delta Recalculates: Making the Flight Map Work for Everyone

Read HERE

Nutcracker Dances Into Sensory-Friendly Territory

Read HERE

Crowdsourcing Inclusion: How Iowa Is Redefining Accessibility Mapping

Read HERE

Wilderness vs. Wheels: The Adirondacks’ Debate on Inclusive Access

Read HERE

Outdoor Freedom: State Parks’ Accessibility Movement

Read HERE

Europe’s Most Accessible Cities

Read HERE

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Editorial, The Arts, Tourism, Travel

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