TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Transportation

Wanderlust and AdvenChair Scale Mountains Together 

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A collaboration between two outdoor industry pioneers that launched in 2024 yielded a prestigious award last week, even as they were building on the foundation of their teamwork this year.  

Thanks to a grant from Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund, AdvenChair, an innovative leader in all-terrain wheelchairs, and Wanderlust Tours, Central Oregon’s trailblazer in naturalist-guided adventures, combined to offer a successful series of “AdvenTours” last year.

AdvenTours gave people of all ages with mobility challenges the chance to experience some of Oregon’s most inspiring natural places matching AdvenChair’s unmatched durability, safety, and comfort with Wanderlust’s unique style of education, interpretation, and environmental appreciation. 

At the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism held at the Portland Convention Center last week, AdvenChair and Wanderlust Tours were honored with the Partnership Award, which recognizes that leveraging traditional and non-traditional partnerships enables organizations and businesses to maximize their budgets, employee capacity, and skill sets to create an increase in efficiencies and a higher-level of aligned outcome. 

According to an announcement from the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon):

“Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair won the Oregon Partnership Award for their innovative collaboration to enhance accessibility to Central Oregon’s outdoor experiences for individuals with mobility challenges. By combining Wanderlust Tours’ expertise in guided outdoor adventures with AdvenChair’s all-terrain adaptive wheelchairs, the partnership has created inclusive, immersive tours that allow individuals with mobility issues to explore iconic locations such as Smith Rock State Park and Lava Lands National Monument. This initiative, supported by tourism grants, not only promotes Central Oregon as an accessible, inclusive destination and improves visitor experiences, but also fosters community engagement and exemplifies how creative collaborations can drive positive change.”

Courtney Braun, Owner of Wanderlust Tours, was naturally excited and honored to receive the Partnership Award.

“What started as a great partnership idea from Geoff Babb [AdvenChair’s Chairman] has blossomed into something big and meaningful,” said Braun. “We’re proud to be seen by the tourism community for making the outdoors accessible in Central Oregon. It means that there is great support and momentum for ensuring that all those who desire to adventure are able to do so, regardless of their age or ability.”

AdvenTours begin where the pavement ends.

For Lincoln Foreman, a geologist and stroke survivor, and frequent AdvenTour participant, the appeal of the AdvenChair/Wanderlust partnership is threefold. Not only does the AdvenChair enable him to access the trails of places like Smith Rock State Park where he can actually touch the volcanic tuff, it allows him to enjoy the experience with his wife Cathy and interact with other individuals who share his love for natural sciences, as well as to learn about local history, geology and culture from Wanderlust’s engaging guides. 

“Being able to access nature beyond the pavement – actually way past the pavement – together is something we’ve never been able to do since Lincoln’s stroke 15 years ago,” said Cathy Foreman. “So having these opportunities is really important to both of us.”

Get close to nature, as well as friends and family.

In addition to the pre-arranged AdvenTours, AdvenChair is also available to Wanderlust for special custom tours with advanced reservations. Last year, AdvenTour guests ranged from a six-year-old girl with Down’s Syndrome visiting Crater Lake National Park for the first time to a grandfather who got to explore Smith Rock State Park with more than three dozen family members.

AdvenChair’s Geoff Babb was equally delighted with the growing relationship with Wanderlust Tours and for the recognition they’ve received.

“I’ve witnessed the smiles from so many people who wouldn’t be out in the wilderness without the AdvenChair,” said Babb. “Whether it’s a family with a child who is disabled or a grandparent who can be with their grandkids on their favorite trail as they pass the love of the outdoors on to future generations, it’s very heartwarming to see. We are just so grateful to collaborate with a group like Wanderlust Tours who love the outdoors as much as we do and know how to share it.”

About AdvenChair:

AdvenChair is an all-terrain wheelchair designed for people with mobility challenges who want to venture off the beaten path and experience the grandeur of the wilderness. It is the brainchild of Geoff Babb, a fire ecologist and avid outdoorsman from Bend, Oregon, who loved to ski, mountain bike and backpack with his wife and twin boys until a near-fatal brain stem stroke on November 10, 2005 forced him to use a wheelchair.  

While the stroke forever changed his ability to move, Babb soon discovered that the biggest obstacle to experiencing a simple outing on local trails with his family again was not so much his body, but the frailties of common wheelchairs. Rather than lobbying for wheelchair-accessible wilderness trails, Babb chose to develop a wheelchair capable of adapting to the trails, and the AdvenChair was born.

On November 10, 2017, exactly 12 years to the day after his stroke, Babb survived a second brain stem stroke, which was a major setback. Yet it made him more determined than ever to share his all-terrain chair with other people dealing with permanent or temporary limited mobility. While developing the first AdvenChair, Babb also launched The Onward Project, LLC, to inspire, encourage and enable outdoor adventures for people of all abilities.

To learn more about AdvenChair and follow its journeys on social media, visit advenchair.com.

About Wanderlust Tours:

Since 1993, Wanderlust Tours has welcomed guests to vibrantly share the natural and cultural history of Oregon in order to instill appreciation and protection of the environment. We hold great respect for the natural surroundings of our beautiful central Oregon landscape and hope to introduce people to these delicate ecosystems while maintaining a low impact on the environment. Wanderlust Tours is made up of people who are passionate about the intricacies of nature. We thrive on sharing our knowledge and passion for the natural world with those who join our tours!

We are so excited to be partnering with AdvenChair and to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors and explore beautiful areas that initially may not seem accessible. With the AdvenChair off-road wheelchair, we can empower every member of our community in their quest for adventure!

Champions of Change: Steve Nelson Takes Accessibility to New Heights

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Steve Nelson’s journey into accessibility advocacy began with personal experience—but it was fueled by a deep care for others.

“I do have a personal connection to disability,” he shared. “I was diagnosed ADHD as a child, and as an adult I was diagnosed as being autistic and having other invisible disabilities.” Yet, it wasn’t just his own story that propelled him forward. While working in Guest Relations at a major entertainment and hospitality company, Nelson saw opportunities to better serve the disability community. “I began to advocate for us to make some local changes, and that eventually led to me being introduced to the Services for Guests with Disabilities team, who took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to make a career out of it.”

Today, Nelson serves as the Accessibility and Belonging Program Manager for Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines. He leads what he describes as “a first-of-its-kind operation in the airline industry”—The Disability Office. “We act as internal consultants and advocates who partner with the various divisions, stakeholders, and leaders across the organization to drive better accessibility,” he explained. “We want everyone to be able to feel like they belong when they fly with us, and that means we have to innovate and change how air travel works for the disability community.”

Creating that change, especially within a large and regulated industry, comes with its challenges.

“The common theme is that I have to remind people that I am on their side,” said Nelson. That includes both internal stakeholders and the communities he serves. “My goal isn’t to take over someone else’s job or to steal their thunder—I’m just there to keep them curious about what we can accomplish if we think outside of the box.”

At the same time, he’s realistic about the pace of progress. “It may seem like progress is slow or like a company doesn’t care enough, but I promise there is so much happening behind the scenes and it will be truly transformative.”

Among the many accomplishments in his career, Nelson is especially proud of one. “I’ll go back to basics and say I’m most proud of the Disability Rehearsal Flights we host at Alaska Airlines.” These events give travelers with profound disabilities the chance to experience the travel process—from check-in to boarding to taxiing down the runway—without ever leaving the ground. “They get a boarding pass, go through security, board an aircraft, and experience a brief taxi around the airport before deplaning.”

The flights aren’t just beneficial for the guests. “It even gives the best kind of training experience for our employees. No computer-based program can show you how to care from the heart as well as an experience with 70+ families can.”

Nelson believes that accessibility work is—and must be—rooted in listening to the people who are most impacted. “This is going to sound so cliché, but it has always been the people I serve,” he said. “I’m not just talking about the happy people who participate in a rehearsal flight, but also the folks who have not had the best experience.”

“People with disabilities are PEOPLE. They matter. They deserve to have dignity and autonomy.”

When asked what advice he’d offer to others working to move accessibility forward in 2025, Nelson is clear: “Practice telling a good story and don’t give up!” He’s seen firsthand how powerful storytelling can be.

“I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t care about individuals with disabilities… but I’ve met plenty who don’t know any better.”

That’s why he leads with empathy and real-life narratives rather than a list of demands. “Take your time and remember you are doing the work for people who don’t have a place at the table. It’s worth the effort… and if you’re me, always have a large black iced coffee in hand… it helps.”

Lived Experience: Sylvia Longmire’s high-flying Hawaiian experience

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By Jennifer Allen

Sylvia Longmire is the accessible travel writer behind Spin the Globe. She’s also a filmmaker and producer, bilingual voice actor, media personality, and disability rights advocate. 

Sylvia has been on a handful of helicopter tours around the globe, but her experience in Honolulu, Hawaii stands out in accessibility. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has an innovative way to make helicopter rides accessible to all. Sylvia Longmire shares her experience here.

When Guide Dogs and Allergies Collide—What Would You Do?

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Each month we try to address various accessibility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community. 

What Would You Do?


An Uber driver pulls up to a scheduled ride and sees that the passenger is accompanied by a guide dog. The driver immediately shares that he has a severe allergy to dogs and says that he can’t let the dog in the car. The passenger, who is blind, is now stranded. Neither the driver nor the passenger are sure of what to do. If you were the driver? The passenger? The platform? What would you do?

Responses from Social Media:

Tricia Roth | Director of Marketing and Engagement, TravelAbility

“I think the Uber driver should arrange for another driver to come asap and if the person is alone stay with them until the next driver arrives.It would be great for Uber to include some type of filter on the app that addresses this issue so it does not happen repeatedly.”

Instagram Users

“The platform/app should have an option to indicate “guide dog” for the traveler, and “allergies” while onboarding new drivers.”

“Uber could provide incentives to drivers to provide these services. The online platform should have accessibility options to connect people with disabilities with equipped drivers.”

“The driver needs to contact Uber before pulling away and Uber should send a new driver.”

“The platform could ask about guide dogs, but that could make it even harder to get a ride.”

All respondents agreed that Uber should be responsible for finding a replacement driver before leaving the passenger. Adding accessibility filters to the platform would help avoid the situation altogether.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

How the Industry can Make Travel More Inviting to Blind and Low Vision Travelers

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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.

Watch the full session on YouTube!

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