TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Travel

Will This Be the Most Accessible Airport in America?

by

Mockup of new Kansas City International Airport terminal.

The Kansas City International Airport is building a new terminal facility, and it will feature significant accessibility improvements for travelers with disabilities.

Justin Meyer, the airport’s deputy director of aviation, told KMBC News that he wants the new terminal “to be one that equips future travelers to be able to see the world.” Features of the new terminal, which is set to open in March 2023, will include an all-inclusive play area for children and families with special needs, service animal relief areas, nursing rooms and adult changing tables in bathroom facilities.

OUR TAKE: New construction is an opportunity to embrace universal design, creating spaces that are accessible to everyone. It appears as though the Kansas City Airport will be one of those places, installing accommodations designed for a profoundly expansive range of disabilities.

To read the full story, click here.

Beach Cruising for All: Check out this new Beach Wheelchair Rental Concession in Florida

by

Wheelchair under sun shade umbrella.

Wheelchair users can now rent an accessible ride on the sand in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Crabby’s Beach Wheels opened earlier this year in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The family-owned business provides customers with a wide variety of beach wheelchairs to choose from, including a powerful electric chair known as the “King.”

OUR TAKE: In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of destinations and businesses making beach wheelchairs available for rent to disabled tourists, and the availability of these chairs has become a key consideration for many in the planning of accessible vacations.

To check out Crabby’s Beach Wheelchairs online, click here.

Featured image courtesy Crabby’s Beach Wheelchairs.

TravelAbility’s Accessible Landing Page Project featured in USAE News

by

Last month, USAE News interviewed TravelAbility Founder Jake Steinman about the Accessible Landing Page project, which encourages DMOs to produce information resources that will attract travelers with disabilities. 

To get the full story, click here.

Ahead of the Curve: 5 DMOs with Landing Pages for Disabled Travelers

by

One of the key priorities for TravelAbility Summit is to promote the adoption of accessible landing pages, where destinations can communicate with disabled travelers and provide information to help them explore the local area. Landing pages are the best and most cost-effective way to provide accessible travel information. Resources included on these web pages can be used not only by visitors, but also by members of the local community who may have a disability or who have a family member or friend with a disability.

Here are 5 DMOs that have started this journey, and what we like most about their accessible landing pages.

Destination BC

Screenshot of Destination British Columbia website.

What we like about this site: This is an industry CMS site where over 5,000 tourism businesses have an opportunity to input information about their products and services, making it possible for the Province to promote them to numerous audiences. So far, 400 businesses have entered their accessible information and the province is committed to accessibility for all as one of their values. 

Visit Indy

Screenshot of Visit Indy website.

What we like about this site: They began by adhering to the “Nothing about us without us” mantra by bringing together local disability organizations for input and feedback.  The site not only features visual presentation of accessible attractions but links to additional information and tips. It also includes resources like transportation options, special needs travel agents, etc.

I Love NY Accessibility Guide

Screenshot of I Love NY website.

What we like about this site: The website is filled with robust features and a sortable database of nearly 100 accessible attractions, although the accessibility section is buried in the planning tab.

Accessible Valley Forge

Screenshot of Valley Forge DMO website.

What we like about this site: The accessible landing page provides information about accessible attractions and public transportation, as well as links to local news stories of interest to the disability community.

Accessible Vancouver

Screenshot of Vancouver CVB website.

What we like about this site: The page is laid out well, with links to the information and resources that disabled travelers care about most: accessible transportation, accommodation and things to do.

Meet Houston Vandergriff: 48 States and 22 Countries with Down Syndrome

by

Houston Vandergriff standing with three female family members in front of a lake during the winter.
Credit: Katie Vandergriff/Instagram

A family chronicles their travel to 48 states and 22 countries through the brilliant photography of their son, who has Down Syndrome.

He’s got the eye of Picasso, the talents of a Hollywood super-star, and the heart of a kindergarten teacher. Meet Houston Vandergriff, a talented young man who also happens to have Down Syndrome. He expresses his passion for life in the arts. He’s a globe-trotting photographer, actor, performer, advocate, and sports enthusiast. Houston’s untarnished love for people shines easily through his Down Syndrome, touching people’s hearts in ways few others could.

Read the complete feature in the latest issue of Neuro Brilliant Magazine.

OUR TAKE: The TravelAbility slogan is All Means All, and Houston’s travels are proof-positive that the disabled travel market is wide and diverse. How is your organization preparing to welcome travelers like Houston and his family?