TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Travel

Taking in the Grandeur of the Grand Canyon with an Autistic Son

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Group of people looking out over the Grand Canyon from a viewing platform.

Lisa Winner, a photographer, shared with National Geographic some of the challenges her son, who is autistic, faces when traveling. Despite her love of the outdoors, Lisa says that “There are many surprises in nature—and anyone who loves an autistic person knows surprises are not their jam.” She recounted the difficulty her son faced when visiting the Grand Canyon, where he was distressed by the unfamiliar environment.

Parents like Winner are encouraging governments and businesses to make outdoor recreation areas more accessible to those with autism. To learn more about Lisa’s family, their trip to the Grand Canyon and how public places can be made autism-friendly, see the article in National Geographic.

Let’s Roll: What Should (and Shouldn’t ) be Part of a Wheelchair Accessible Tour

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Wheelchair user in front of Machu Picchu ruins.

Data from the United Nations reveals that 15% of the global population has one or more disabilities, and there is an increasing demand for accessible travel and tour opportunities. The industry is recognizing this opportunity, and an increasing number of tour businesses are working to make their offerings accessible to disabled travelers.

In an article for Arrival, Jenna Blumenfeld offers tips to operators of tours, activities and attractions on how to make their products accessible.

Blumenfeld suggest that operators should carefully scrutinize the tour route to check for potential accessibility barriers, such as steps, and to plan alternate routes that are more accessible. She also suggests that operators should secure or contract accessible transportation to meet the needs of mobility-challenged guests, and to ensure that every employee and tour guide treats customers with compassion – their journey was not an easy one!

To read the full article and to learn more tips for making tours and attractions disability-friendly, visit the Arrival website.

TravelAbility Collaborates on the Launch of Accessible Journeys, A New Digital Magazine

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Melange Accessibility for All magazine cover.

TravelAbility announces its strategic partnership with Mélange Magazines for the publication of a quarterly digital magazine specifically aimed at travellers with disabilities and seniors. Mélange Accessible Journeys, will publish its first issue on March 1st, 2022. Designed to be an accessible travel and tourism resource, the magazine will enhance the travel experiences for travellers with special requirements. 

“We are very excited about the collaboration with Mélange,” commented TravelAbility’s Jake Steinman. “They have the publishing expertise and the experience building a successful Travel & Lifestyle magazine as well as, publishing Accessibility for All, a sister publication that reaches over 800,000 readers in 63 countries.”

TravelAbility is dedicated to training the travel industry – destinations, attractions and hotels – about how they can become more welcoming to people with disabilities,” said Steinman. “Now, working with Mélange, we will be able to expand our archives of over 300 newsletter items into full stories that travellers with disabilities will enjoy and use.”

Mélange Accessible Journeys will be the ultimate starting point for travellers seeking destinations that are equipped with the conveniences people with disabilities and seniors need for a comfortable and enjoyable vacation experience. The magazine will reside on digital newsstands, easily accessed from any digital device. It will also be available on both the TravelAbility and Mélange’s websites.

“Multiple synergies exist between our two companies in the collective passion to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and seniors,” Mélange’s Debbie Austin stated, “and we’re delighted to launch this partnership with TravelAbility, a recognized leader in the accessible travel space.”  

Leveraging the capabilities of both companies, Accessible Journeys will deliver valuable content in a user-friendly format, highlighting accessible travel possibilities around the world. Debbie Austin added: “We are indeed excited about the journey ahead.”

Note: Be the first to learn about marketing and promotional opportunities with the magazine contact: daustin@readmelange.com

Visit Florida Creates YouTube Series to Highlight the State’s Many Accessible Features

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As part of their commitment to being inclusive for all visitors, Visit Florida is the first state to develop a 6-part video series highlighting accessible travel opportunities, which they have called Limitless Florida. Each of the videos are between 2-4 minutes in length and feature a different experience.

In the series’ first video, Visit Florida highlights unique, wheelchair accessible opportunities in Sarasota:

Accessible scuba diving attracts many disabled people to Florida, including St. Andrews State Park in Panama City:

In this video, an accessible sailing opportunity off the coast of Cedar Key is featured:

An Army Veteran – and amputee – shares how Kiteboarding has reconnected her with nature:

Florida is one of the world’s top places for cycling, with paved bike trails in all corners of the state:

Biking and kayaking opportunities in the Florida outdoors boost mental health by offering breathtaking views and an incredible way to stay active:

OUR TAKE: These six videos share just a piece of what Florida has to offer travelers with disabilities, and as the state continues its work to become the most accessible destination in America, we look forward to future additions to the Limitless Florida series.

Taking a Wheelchair Accessible Trip, No Planning Required

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Three children, one a wheelchair user, standing high above a beach.
Image courtesy Jennifer Allen/Wonders Within Reach.

Accessible travel without a plan? One family has figured it out.

Jennifer Allen and her husband recently took a trip to Boston with their children (one of whom uses a wheelchair), but didn’t have time to plan for accessibility.

Based on things they’d learned over previous trips to Nashville and St. Augustine, and positive experiences with a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour company, they were confident in having a good time, even without a thoroughly researched itinerary.

Their past experiences with Old Town Trolley Tours had been a hit, and the same held true in Boston, with the company offering trolleys with wheelchair accessible lifts.

For more information about their trip, and how they made it possible, check out Jennifer’s article on Wonders Within Reach.

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