TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Travel

Sage Inclusion Partners with Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

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The Alliance brings together hospitality industry leaders and strategic partners, such as Sage Inclusion, to address key challenges affecting the planet and its people, local destinations and communities. Improving inclusivity within the industry is one part of the Alliance’s Pathway to “Net Positive Hospitality,” which sets ambitious targets to create a prosperous and responsible global hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes. For example, the program’s framework outlines how organizations can measure, minimize and embed diversity and inclusivity within its value chain, with the aim to go beyond this and advocate for inclusivity beyond the value chain.To learn more visit Sage Inclusion

Our Takeaway: Sage Inclusion is the latest iteration of accessible travel entrepreneur John Sage’s effort to bring accessibility to the attention of the hotel community by combining it with sustainability to provide a one-two punch.

One Year Anniversary Edition of Accessible Journeys, Spring 2023 issue

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Accessible Journeys – travel without limits in a world where all are welcome.

The quarterly digital magazine Accessible Journeys has quickly become a leading resource for accessible travel information. A partnership between Mélange Publications and TravelAbility, the publication is a brand extension of the magazine, Accessibility for All.

Accessible Journeys features everything relevant to travel and accessibility: destination and accommodation guides, equipment reviews, travel tips, parenting information, innovative products, and more. It also shares expert input from bloggers, vloggers, and influencers – about 40 in each issue.

Launched in March 2022, Accessible Journeys grew from a circulation of 870 to 68,000 by the end of that same year. This growth is a testament to the importance of accessible travel and the valuable information the publication holds for everyone eager to explore the world.

Accessible Journey’s success is due in part to the editorial guidance provided by prolific leaders in the disability travel community. The Spring 2023 issue was steered by guest editor Cory Lee, who shared his insights into adventure travel. Guest editors Ashley Lynn Olson, Kay Kingsman, and Jennifer Allen have contributed their expertise in the past, keeping the publication on the leading edge.

Accessible Journeys provides value, insight, support and resources to the disability travel community.  

For advertising and marketing information contact Debbie Austin at daustin@readmelange.com

Read Accessible Journeys here

Canadian Family Takes the World’s First Autism Certified City to the Test

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picture of a glowing green scorpion

It could have sparked a meltdown, landing in a strange city and driving a child who needs routine and predictability to a Sonoran Desert Park full of scorpions, black widow spiders and rattlesnakes for a full moon hike. But Jennifer’s 10-year-old son, Charlie, took an instant liking to Arizona’s Lost Dutchman State Park, probably because of the philosophical storytelling of ranger Jackie Vallejos, and the feeling of anonymity that came with joining 40 strangers to explore the unfamiliar landscape.

“Is anyone scared of a mouse or a grasshopper?”, the ranger asked at the start of the 90-minute night hike. “How about venomous desert creatures such as spiders and snakes?”

Our Takeaway: Autism to Mesa.AZ is poised to become what Broadway is to New York. 80% of their hotels, attractions museums, restaurants, and tours not to mention, city police and fire departments, having all been autism certified through International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Read More.

Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck for Disability Families

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view of the Empire State building at sunset as seen from an airplane window

As with anything in life, airport security works a little differently for families with disabilities. Eventually, most frequent travelers end up looking at the benefits of Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck. Jennifer Allen shares her family’s experiences of traveling with a wheelchair and medical needs.

Our takeaway: For frequent travelers within the US, TSA pre-check is a useful service that’s worth every penny, even when traveling with or as someone with a disability.  Global Entry is for those who travel internationally to avoid onerous passport checkpoints upon returning to the U.S.  BTW:  TSA Cares is a helpline that theoretically provides travelers with disabilities additional assistance during the security screening process, (Call 72 hours prior at (855) 787-2227) but in practice few TSA airport managers have the time to train their agents on this service. Read More.

Travel Agent Survey: 61% Already Working with People with Disabilities

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B&W photo closely cropped of a wheelchair and steps

The world is not built for people with disabilities. As a full-time wheelchair user, Kristy Durso knows this well. What some simply see as an inconvenience — a heavy door, a tight airplane lavatory, or even the awkward placement of shower controls in a hotel bathroom — could pose a safety risk for her and other individuals with limited mobility. 

In fact, when Durso, the owner of Incredible Memories Travel, is on the road, she’s always scanning her surroundings, taking note of any obstacles that may ruin a future trip for a client with accessibility needs.

“Imagine if you got to a hotel room, and you are not able to get into the bed because it’s at chin height,” she said. “High beds are very fashionable, but a super-high bed means we can’t get in it. Or imagine that your shower had a lock on it, and the only way to get into that shower is if you call down to the staff and ask them to bring you the key. That’s the kind of thing that happens to us.”

Our Takeaway: That 61% of travel agents surveyed are already selling to clients and up to 80% want to learn more about accessibility is indicative of their client base aging into the next chapter of their lives in which disability, or caring for a spouse with a disability, is becoming a reality. Read More.