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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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How Choose Lansing Chose Its New Name and Its Focus on Accessibility: Q & A with Julie Pingston, President and CEO of the DMO

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The DMO's new logo: Choose Lansing with Choose in bright orange and Lansing in big blue letters. The tagline below reads Plan on Something Greater

Julie Pingston is not one to coast or think small. She and her team at Choose Lansing just unveiled a new name, a new logo, and new taglines based on nearly a year of research and design. And the unveiling was no soft rollout. How about halftime of a Michigan State football game? But Julie is on to the next huge project. In a few weeks, the DMO will host their inaugural accessible travel summit. TravelAbility Insider Editor Dan Tobin was fortunate to catch a few minutes with Julie to talk about how to capture the highlights of a diverse region, the passion that drives her commitment to accessibility, and what she has learned from a year in the Destination A11y Club.

DT: I really love your new logos and I thought it was great that you explain the thinking behind the changes on your website. Why did you decide to do that?

JP: We worked almost a year on the rebranding and we had gone through such an extensive process and we had come to an outcome that we were so proud of. We wanted to explain everything that went on behind it so that people could understand some of the choices we made. Our name is now Choose Lansing instead of Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is a lot shorter for one thing. Our research told us that when people are planning things for our region they value how we partner with them and help them make choices. So that ties into the word “choose.” And we are a regional organization so the tagline “Plan on something greater” represents the idea of the entire region. And we used a pinpoint icon with the star inside to show we’re a capital city. Then the different colors showcase that we have a lot of diversity and different options here. So it was all very purposeful. 

The day after we launched the new name and logo, we showed it in our Spartan football stadium during the first home game and 75,000 people got to take a look at it. And the crowd liked it so that was very exciting.  

DT: I’m hearing a couple of layers of meaning in the logo design. One is the idea of diversity. It also seems to speak to your flexibility and your customization, that you provide choice

JP: That’s exactly what we’re trying to convey.

DT: What were the key ideas that came out of the research?

JP: You know, we are a destination with a big 10 university and a state capital and a lot of other resources. How do we best portray all of that? That’s how we came up with the central idea of choosing.  If you come here we’ve got lots of things to choose from; we’ve got lots of opportunities. We have trails and outdoor recreation and we also have urban destinations. The main point to our clients is that we are going to be engaged with you at all levels and really give that positive experience.

DT: How did you get started with the accessibility assessments and your focus on autism? 

JP: We started with our work with accessibility related to neurodiverse opportunities. A number of our attractions and other locations were looking to add programming so we proactively brought people together within the community to find tools create programming for those traveling on the autism spectrum or with other neurodiversities. Our job as the destination marketing organization is to let people know that we have all these opportunities here. We have a couple of programs that were drawing people from throughout the state. But we wanted to  find more things for those families to do so they are not always going to the same place every time they come here. And our attractions really did step up and every single one of them basically created something that was pointed toward more neurodiversity. 

We then just put out the word out in the marketplace  that we had all of these opportunities. We also had the opportunity to add training to our front line staff so we partnered with the Michigan Autism Association and residential options and they trained more than 1000 people so far on how to help guests with accommodations and understanding all the different needs that travelers might have. That really gravitated throughout the community because suddenly we were not being asked to train exclusively our hospitality businesses but we were being asked to train all kinds of businesses. That was six years ago and then we were intent on making our destination accessible in all ways and for all needs. The pandemic slowed us down a little bit but we were always very intent on moving forward to provide opportunities and information about all the accessibility points in our community. 

On October 26 we are doing our inaugural tourism accessibility summit for all of our hospitality partners and anybody who really wants to learn how to heighten the guest experience by providing information and just doing more being more aware.

DT: How are you measuring the results of all these great initiatives? Are you looking at the bottom line or are you looking more at customer service and satisfaction?

JP: Both definitely. We have seen more people travel here looking for these resources that we have put into place. Some of our attractions do track where their visitors come from that participate in the programming and we have seen an increase in the number of visitors from further away and in and staying over. I always think of something Jake Steinman says:  At some point we’re all going to be in need, having mobility issues and needing all the accommodations we can find. So I just think of this work on accessibility as planning for the future.

DT: Choose Lansing was invited to join TravelAbility’s Destination A11y Club last year. What are you taking away from that group so far?

JP: So much. It’s been very beneficial to us as a destination to be able to have the resources of the other members so that we can ask questions or share an idea. TravelAbility has also created a wonderful playbook for DMOs that we’ve been able to use locally with our partners. You know, you don’t know what you don’t know and then you start going through this playbook and all of a sudden they’re discovering things that they never thought about, It gives information in a very easy to digest format. Everyone can take that information and then make change within their venue or their property or their attraction. We use the playbook as a guideline to steer people and that’s how we got to the tourism summit where we can pull all that together as a destination and showcase for everybody. 

DT: It sounds like you’re playing a key leadership role in this work of raising awareness. But you’re also playing a convener role of shining a light on what venues and attractions are doing and bringing them together. 

JP:  That’s absolutely accurate. Our goal is to just bring all the things that are happening together so that we all can share and create that destination wide experience for all that come here. It’s not like you can only go to this hotel or this attraction to find that experience. You can go anywhere in the region. 

DT: Is there any particular moment you can  point to that crystallizes why you do this work? 

JP: Our theater does sensory-inclusive performances. The first one I went to I met several families and every single one of them said that they had never had the opportunity to go out together as a family before. I have a good friend who has a son with autism and she has taught me that when her son was young she could never go to a theater or a museum or any kind of art gallery. And now you know those opportunities are available because of the work that we’ve done for those on the autism spectrum. And when I see these families at the theater and the children are all dressed up everyone looks so excited . . .  it’s a beautiful experience and that’s how I know that we are on the right path. I tear up. 

Our Takeaway: Julie Pingston is a standout in our field–a great leader, bridge-builder, and advocate.


Travel Michigan’s Dave Lorenz Wins National Award as State Travel Director

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Dave Lorenz, State Tourism Director of the Year,. speaking at a podium at ESTO. (Photo Credit: U.S. Travel Association)

Travel Michigan’s Dave Lorenz has been named the State Travel Director of the year for 2023 by U.S. Travel’s National Council of State Tourism Directors If the Council had a Triple Crown Award, Dave would probably win that too. Not only has he revitalized the state’s tourism industry (and he has the stats to prove it), he has also played a leading role in accessibility and sustainability. Under Dave’s Leadership, Travel Michigan invested in developing a website promoting accessible travel options in the state, and recently launched a grant program to encourage local destinations to improve accessibility for disabled travelers. And in his spare time he has championed sustainability by promoting the expansion of electric vehicles throughout the state. 

“Dave was the first travel director in the country to recognize the potential for accessible travel,” commented Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility. “And through his leadership, Michigan was the first state to provide matching coop marketing to DMO’s for accessibility assessments. A true visionary.” Read more.

Our Takeaway:  The Council could not have chosen a more deserving recipient of the award than Dave Lorenz. We’re proud to claim Dave as a member of TravelAbility’s Advisory Board for the past five years. He puts into action our core principles of accessibility leadership and innovative marketing.

Scenes from the Summit

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30 Attendees from th etate of Oregon pose for a group shot
Oregon wins the award for most attendees at the Summit! Go Team!
Mike May of APH with his guide dog speaks with one of th eSummit attendees
Mike May and a Summit attendee chat during the break
Cory Lee in a power wheelchari chats with Craig Kennedy in a wheelchairfrom Open Doors organization
Social Media Influencer Cory Lee chats with Craig Kennedy from Open Doors
Taylor Aguilar wearing large sunglasses adn carrying a white cane poses with Houston Vandergriff
Documentary Filmmaker and TravelAbility Fellow Taylor Aguilar and Summit photographer/influencer Houston Vandergriff
John Sage in a wheelchair and wearing a white shirt chats with Shira Stanfield sitting in a wheelchair
John Sage of Accessible Travel Solutions and Shira Standfield from Parks Canada chat during a break in the sessions

Utilizing Influencers to Market Your Destination’s Accessibility

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photo ofTravel Influencer panel at the Emerging Markets Summit Kristy Durso in a wheelchair wearign red dress adn cowboy boots, Cory Lee in his power wheelchair wearing khaki pants adn a green shirt, Chelsea Bear on her scooter wearing a floral printed shirt, Jennifer Allen sitting in a chair wearing a white sweater and floral print jumpsuit, Houston Vandergriff wearing brown pants and a white shirt

(L-R): Kristy Durso, Incredible Memories; Cory Lee, Curb Free with Cory Lee; Chelsea Bear, The Real Chelsea Bear, Jennifer Allen, Wonders within Reach; Houston Vandergriff, Downs and Towns.

By Jennifer Allen

Disability travel influencers are changing the face of inclusion in travel. They offer destinations a unique opportunity to simultaneously promote and improve inclusion. Four influencers of diverse backgrounds came together at the 2023 Travelability Summit to share insights on how a DMO can partner with influencers for growth and change.

Jennifer Allen, of Wonders Within Reach shared “First, it’s a celebration of an accessible destination. I love to share places that families like mine can do with minimal obstacles. That’s worth sharing. Second, I create content for better representation and inclusion. We’re naturally drawn to places that reflect who we are – and a place that showcases wheelchair users shows me that it’s a place I can visit! So we create media for the destination’s content as well as for our own page. Third, we love to help improve inclusion as we go. A lot of destinations aren’t sure how accessible they are or are not, so we give feedback as we go, so that the destination can improve. We use a combination of things from video to photos to blog posts and articles.”

These strategies were consistent across panelists, showing the trifecta of change initiated by partnering with disability travel influencers – in addition to creating DMO marketing materials, they bring their own audience to the mix and offer constructive feedback to improve the visitor experience for all.

Cory Lee Woodard – Founder of Curb Free Cory Lee – Wheelchair Travel

Since starting his disability travel blog ten years ago, Cory Lee has visited every continent and built an impressive platform of information for wheelchair travelers. He is often the go-to for wheelchair travel information, because of his vast experiences. Facebook is his most engaged platform, with 65k followers. He has similarly high numbers on Instagram.

His favorite DMO partnerships are when he’s offered unique experiences, like adaptive skiing and rock wall climbing. It’s great to be able to experience, and showcase, a world of travel that goes beyond the standard museums and tourist attractions.

Cory has an organized pricing structure, starting at $1,000 a day, that makes it easy for DMOs to assemble a partnership.

Chelsea Bear – Content Creator behind Real Chelsea Bear – Scooter Travel

While Chelsea may seem newer to the scene of content creation,she grew her social media from 1K to 315K+ followers organically in just two years Chelsea. She has built a large following through sharing life through the lens of Cerebral Palsy, and she recently hit 100k subscribers on YouTube. More recently, she has begun utilizing that platform to share accessible travel adventures. She brings that same perspective to the travel industry, highlighting accessibility and improving inclusion through representation.

What she appreciates most from DMO’s is when they’re open to feedback when it comes to accessibility. “I never expect anywhere to be fully 100% accessible, but the most important thing to me is when the people are willing to listen and make changes. For example, I went to a restaurant once that didn’t have a ramp at the front so instead I had to go into the building through a backdoor that was completely out of the way. The owner took my feedback and worked with the city to get approval to add a ramp along the curb to create an easier access point for people who use wheelchairs. I think it makes such a difference!”

Her travel content follows the theme of her lifestyle content – sharing genuine and authentic content that creates a comfortable space for productive conversations.

Chelsea’s costs vary, since she works with each destination to create a customized approach based on the DMOs current marketing needs. She’s typically willing to work with different DMO’s and squeeze in as much as she can for their allotted budget, but it really depends overall.

Houston Vandergriff – Founder of Downs and Towns – Intellectual Disabilities Travel

Houston’s specialty is top notch photography. He’s traveled to 29 countries, 49 states, and all 95 Tennessee counties. His biggest platform is TikTok, with over 417k followers, and more than 7 million likes. He travels with his mom, Katie, and they’ve had front row seats to the changing attitudes of disability inclusion in the travel world. 

They’re favorite part of working with DMOs is contributing to the growing awareness for people with disabilities. They spoke about the importance of awareness in changing attitudes. Katie expressed that, “Showing a diverse range of travelers lets everyone be able to imagine themselves able to do the same thing. It’s empowering on an entirely different level.”  

When asked about their price scale, Houston’s mom, Katie, responded, “We’ll travel for food, and our bags are always packed!” They’re an incredible team, always up for an adventure.

Jennifer Allen – Founder of Wonders Within Reach – Caregiver and Family Travel

When Jennifer received the diagnosis that her son would never walk, she envisioned herself spending the rest of his life trapped in their playroom. She had no idea that they could live life to the fullest with a wheelchair, because she had never seen someone else doing it. As she began to rediscover the world with a wheelchair user, she began to share the experience so that other parents wouldn’t have to learn the hard way. She built her audience through connecting with other parents who are trying to figure out how to get back to exploring and has an audience of 20k between Instagram and returning blog readers. 

Jennifer enjoys featuring the family fun side of accessible destinations, from trails and outdoor activities, to children’s museums and theme parks.

Jennifer’s prices are as diverse as her packages, since she does a combination of photography, video, UGC, content creation, and writing. Single posts for attractions start at $175.

An influencer campaign is a great marketing opportunity, since they offer a package deal of model/photographer/videographer, and sometimes writer, for one price. Influencers also  automatically extend the reach of a destination’s audience through their own connections within the disability community. All four influencers agreed that their favorite partnerships were with DMOs who showed a genuine interest in inclusion. Cory Lee even had an experience when he was asked to present his findings to the destinations leaders after his trip. They would all love to see this become a normal part of collaborations, because that’s where change comes from.

The Problem: Reaching the disability community with marketing efforts and representing diversity.

The Solution: Working with disability influencers to improve accessibility and spread the word.

Cory Lee:

Chelsea Bear:

Houston Vandergriff:

Jennifer Allen

  • Family travel (caregiver)
  • Over 12k IG followers and wide blog readership
  • Varied pricing by package, starting in low $100’s
  • jennifer@wonderswithinreach.com 

Accessibility Superstars Recognized by TravelAbility

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By Jennifer Allen

In a landmark initiative that resonates with the ethos of inclusivity and progress, Travelability proudly presents the first-ever Accessibility Superstars Awards. These awards shine a spotlight on individuals whose resolute dedication and visionary leadership have transformed the travel industry into a more accessible and welcoming realm. This distinguished group of accessibility superstars comprises trailblazers who have not only redefined standards but have also ignited a movement toward a world where every traveler, regardless of ability, can embark on enriching journeys without hindrance. In this inaugural edition, we honor remarkable individuals whose commitment to accessibility and inclusion has propelled the industry forward.In the dynamic landscape of travel and tourism, a group of remarkable individuals have been shining beacons, championing the cause of accessibility and inclusion. Their relentless efforts have not only transformed the way the industry perceives accessibility but have also set new standards that inspire us all. In this spotlight, we honor the superstars of accessibility whose dedication is driving us toward a more inclusive world of travel. As we congratulate our winners, let’s learn from their initiatives.

(Photos by Houston Vandergriff)

Jake Steinman congratulates Visit Orlando’s Danielle Hollander on being named an Accessibility SuperStar.

In a landmark initiative that resonates with the ethos of inclusivity and progress, Travelability proudly presents the first-ever Accessibility Superstars Awards. These awards shine a spotlight on individuals whose resolute dedication and visionary leadership have transformed the travel industry into a more accessible and welcoming realm. This distinguished group of accessibility superstars comprises trailblazers who have not only redefined standards but have also ignited a movement toward a world where every traveler, regardless of ability, can embark on enriching journeys without hindrance. In this inaugural edition, we honor remarkable individuals whose commitment to accessibility and inclusion has propelled the industry forward.In the dynamic landscape of travel and tourism, a group of remarkable individuals have been shining beacons, championing the cause of accessibility and inclusion. Their relentless efforts have not only transformed the way the industry perceives accessibility but have also set new standards that inspire us all. In this spotlight, we honor the superstars of accessibility whose dedication is driving us toward a more inclusive world of travel. As we congratulate our winners, let’s learn from their initiatives.

Orlando readily springs to mind as an exceptionally welcoming destination for numerous disabled travelers, and this recognition is well-deserved. The renowned attractions of the city have been thoughtfully made accessible to all, with a dedication that transcends mere compliance. A comprehensive and empathetic approach, aligned with the diverse needs of travelers, has been the cornerstone of these efforts. Projects initiated by Visit Orlando have brought sensory-friendly experiences to theme parks, empowered hospitality staff through disability-focused training programs, and seamlessly integrated accessibility information into marketing materials. These remarkable initiatives have collectively established Orlando as a destination that embraces visitors of all abilities.

New York City Tourism and Conventions:  Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development at New York City Tourism + Conventions

Photo of Makiko Matsuda Healy wearing a yellow dress and Jake Steinman wearing a blue sweater and open colored shirt. He is presentign her with an award that is crystal with a blue star.

New York City’s travel landscape is transforming in a way that resonates with travelers of all abilities. This transformation isn’t just a result of individual effort, but also a reflection of the destination’s commitment to collaboration with disability creators and consultants. The visionary direction set by NYC & Company has manifested in an array of initiatives. From introducing accessible transportation options to crafting informative guides for accessible attractions, and engaging in meaningful partnerships with businesses to bolster their accessibility offerings, the city has truly become an embodiment of inclusive travel experiences.

New York has has also invited someone with a disability who can contribute lived experiences to the accessibility initiatives on their board; to work with a disability consultant; to set a plan in place to keep you accountable as you go; and to always be open to learning along the way.

Open Doors Organization, Craig Kennedy,  Program Director  (accepting for Eric Lipp, Founder)

Craig Kennedy sitting in a wheelchair wearing a plaid shirt accepts an award from Jake Steinman wearing a lightblue sweater and open collared shirt

Eric Lipp, the visionary mind behind Open Doors Organization, has dedicated his life to creating a more accessible world. His organization, which he founded after a personal experience with mobility challenges, has been reshaping the world for travelers with disabilities. Lipp’s unwavering positivity and passion to foster awareness, education, and collaboration is evidenced through Open Doors Organization and has transformed the way businesses and airlines approach accessibility. 

Open Doors organization’s groundbreaking Disability Travel Survey, conducted since 2002 with the Harris Poll,  and training programs have equipped countless professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to offer a more accessible experience. Open Doors is bridging gaps between travelers with disabilities and the travel industry, making them a true accessibility superstar.

Visit Mesa.  Alison Brooks, Director of Destination Experience and Advocacy

Photo o fJake Steinman in blue sweater and Aliosonon Brooks wearing a black floral print dress and holding a crystal award

Visit Mesa has channeled substantial effort into making the city a shining example of inclusive hospitality. Through strategic planning and collaborative endeavors, the destination has established itself as a role model for other locales aspiring to elevate their accessibility offerings. Under Visit Mesa’s guidance, the destination has been the first to join  hands with a range of forward-thinking companies featured by Travelability, including Aira, which provide visual interpreters for blind visitors, the pioneering Sunflower program, Wheel the World, AbleVU, Threshold 360 for know-before-you-go videos and, their most ambitious initiative: becoming the nations first Autism Certified Destination, with over 5000 individuals and 60 businesses being certified by IBCCES. 

Brooks shared how her own lack of awareness shaped her dedication to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and welcome. Her main advice to other destinations is to “just do it.” There is a lot of work to be done, and you’ll never be perfect, but the most important step is the first one.

Visit Lauderdale, Ivonne Macmillan, (Accepting for Stacy Ritter)

Visit Lauderdale, a leader in advocacy for accessibility and inclusion through its “Everyone Under the Sun” campaign, has taken significant strides to ensure an inclusive travel experience. Their dedicated landing page for visitors with special needs offers a curated list of accessible accommodations, attractions, theaters, beaches, and transportation providers, reflecting a commitment to inclusion. During Autism Awareness Month, Visit Lauderdale introduces tailored options for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), facilitating their exploration of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program discreetly offers assistance to those with visible and invisible disabilities. Moreover, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents a Sensory-Inclusive Season, featuring adjusted shows for individuals with sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities.  Additionally, they have adopted Aira to help blind visitors navigate the Lauderdale experience as well as Wheel the World  to provide accurate assessments of hotels and attractions and became a sponsor of the the Deaf Seniors Convention held this year in their destination. This comprehensive approach underscores Visit Lauderdale’s dedication to creating an inclusive travel environment for everyone.

These accessibility superstars have elevated the travel industry’s commitment to inclusion. Their passion, innovation, and unyielding determination to eliminate barriers have set new benchmarks for others to follow. As we celebrate their achievements, may we be inspired to embark on our own journeys toward a more inclusive world.