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What’s New for 2026: TravelAbility’s Next Wave of Accessibility Initiatives

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As the accessible travel industry approaches a major demographic shift, TravelAbility is rolling out a set of initiatives designed to help destinations, venues, and vendors move from intention to action. These programs focus on practical solutions, clear information, and scalable tools that make the transition from ADA compliance to welcoming easier to implement and to sustain.

Here’s what you have to look forward to this year:

  • TravelAbility Operation 2030: A long-term strategy preparing the travel industry for 2030—when all baby boomers will be over 65 and an estimated 50.1 million Americans will be living with a disability. The goal: future-proofing travel through proactive, inclusive planning.
  • Plug-and-Play Accessibility Catalog: A vetted collection of innovative technologies and products that venues can easily integrate to solve specific accessibility challenges.
  • DAC Pilot Programs: The following will take place in collaborative testing environments led by the Destination A11y Club to validate new accessibility solutions.
    • Accessibility Travel Information Day: A DAC initiative that helps uncover, consolidate, and promote clear accessibility information by refreshing accessibility pages, engaging local partners and disabled reviewers, and amplifying those updates through a coordinated national awareness day on July 27.
    • Accessibility Leaders Masterclass: A pilot education program for local stakeholders that combines expert masterclasses with hands-on technology showcases.
  • TravelAbility Approved Convention Centers: A formal accreditation for venues that meet rigorous standards for inclusive infrastructure and comprehensive staff training.
  • Travel Industry Vendor Partnerships. Help travel industry vendors to bundle the Accessibility Playbook and starter kit into their new business and renewal proposals, making accessibility part of the sales conversation from day one

The Future of Inclusive Travel Takes Center Stage at TravelAbility Summit 2025

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The 2025 TravelAbility Summit in Sunriver, Oregon, marked a true turning point for inclusive travel through record attendance, powerful storytelling, and partnerships that prove accessibility is shaping the future of tourism.

Nearly 200 industry leaders, from DMOs and hotels to tech innovators and disability advocates, came together under the theme “The Future of Inclusive Travel.” Ideas flowed, connections sparked, and the message was clear: accessibility is the heart of good hospitality.

“One of the most gratifying things to me is that the conference has added a moral dimension to the travel industry, creating purpose in attendees as they learn how to make a real difference in the world,” said Jake Steinman, Founder and CEO of TravelAbility. “This is what drives change. The next step is leadership buy-in, and the Longwoods study we presented gives the data to back the purpose. By partnering with AARP, we’re bridging today’s disability travel with tomorrow’s aging market.”

New This Year: Film Fest, Influencer Project, and More

This year’s Summit unveiled a series of firsts designed to keep accessibility at the forefront of tourism growth:

  • The TravelAbility Film Fest premiered during the event, celebrating powerful, real-world storytelling that builds empathy and understanding through the lens of accessible travel.
  • The Influencer Project paired destinations with disability creators to tell authentic accessibility stories and reach new audiences hungry for representation.

Partnerships in Action

This wasn’t a summit centered on talking, we were serious about doing.

Destinations took big steps – from partnering with Wheel the World to commit to accessibility verification and transparency, to moving forward with the Accessibility Playbook or connecting with innovators to transform spaces.

“This community is ENGAGED, we’re PASSIONATE, and we have a SOLID PLAN,” said Robert Harris, Manager of Global Accessibility at Royal Caribbean Group. “I came away with so much energy and so many ideas—now, to put them to work in a sequential, developmental, and sustainable way.”

Panels featuring disabled travelers grounded the discussions in lived experience, turning data into empathy and empathy into strategy.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap a record-breaking year, TravelAbility’s mission is clearer than ever: to educate, empower, and connect the industry so every traveler feels welcome.

Next year, we’ll take the momentum to Tampa, Florida, on November 9-11th, 2026 where we’ll continue helping host cities become models of accessibility.

“Our goal is to help future host cities become examples of what’s possible,” said Steinman. “We’ll help them implement plug-and-play innovations to create destinations truly worth celebrating.”

INNOVATEAble Pitchfest 2025 Results: The Envelope Please…

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The virtual competition took place last Friday, July 25th, and highlighted impressive pitches from:

  • ADAPTS: A lightweight transfer sling for safer mobility in tight or inaccessible spaces.
  • BoardSafe Docks: Adaptive kayak launches and floating docks that expand waterfront access.
  • Koda: AI-powered live captioning that works on any device, no app required.
  • Lotus: A smart ring that controls devices with a simple point—no Wi-Fi or rewiring needed.
  • RightHear: Audible wayfinding for blind and low vision travelers navigating indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • ScanMeHome: A QR-code ID system that helps quickly reunite loved ones who may wander.
  • Touch2See: 3D Tablets that let blind sports fans follow the action in real time.

The judges praised the caliber of entries and noted just how tough the competition was this year. With so many standout innovations, choosing winners wasn’t easy. In the end, real-time announcements revealed the final rankings:

1st Place (tie): BoardSafe Docks and Lotus
2nd Place: ScanMeHome
3rd Place: Koda

People’s Choice Award: Scan Me Home

Special thanks to our judges: Nick Nerbonne of Travel Michigan, Chris Maher of Samaritan Partners, Autumn Saxton-Ross from the National Recreation and Park Association, and Kristine McConnell of Travel Oregon.

Stay tuned for videos and special features highlighting each innovation!

Calling All Filmmakers: TravelAbility Launches Inaugural Film Festival Showcasing the Future of Accessible Travel Storytelling

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TravelAbility is proud to announce the launch of its First Annual TravelAbility Film Festival, a dynamic new showcase celebrating excellence in accessible travel video storytelling.

Premiering at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit (October 13–15 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon), the festival will spotlight short videos that explore accessibility with originality, purpose, and impact. From lived experiences to destination campaigns, the Film Festival honors the creators, brands, and advocates who are reshaping how accessible travel is seen and shared.

Accessibility is not just a trend; it’s a critical aspect of how travel is evolving. Accessible storytelling is already happening across platforms, from destination marketing videos and social media reels to firsthand accounts of travelers with disabilities. However, until now, there hasn’t been a central place to honor these creators and the work they’re doing. The TravelAbility Film Festival fills that void, bringing together creators who are reshaping the narrative surrounding accessible travel.”

travelandtourworld.com

Submit Your Entry Today

Promotional flyer for the 1st Annual TravelAbility Film Festival. The top section features the festival name in bold text: “TravelAbility Film Festival – Celebrating the Best in Accessible Travel Storytelling.” It notes the festival will debut at the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, held October 13–15 in Sunriver, Oregon. Below, the submission details appear gray text (see caption for details). A small image of the TravelAbility Summit 2025 logo and a scenic photo of the Sunriver venue is included, along with a gold graphic of a vintage film camera in the bottom right corner. The background includes a blue filmstrip and dotted design elements

Submissions are now open in three categories:
• Destination Marketing Organizations
• Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants
• Content Creators & Influencers

Each entry must be submitted as an MP4 video no longer than 5 minutes, with participants limited to one category per submission.

Submissions will be accepted through August 15, 2025, or until the limit of 75 entries is reached.

View the full guidelines and submit your entry below!

Learn More

Finalist videos will be screened live during a special session at the TravelAbility Summit in front of travel professionals, destination marketers, and accessibility leaders. A diverse jury comprised of filmmakers, disabled travelers, and inclusive marketing experts will evaluate submissions. The top three videos in each category will be recognized, and one standout will be awarded Best in Festival.

Our goal with this festival is to amplify the voices and visual storytelling of those leading the way in accessible travel. We’re excited to honor creativity, inclusivity, and innovation in ways that inspire the entire travel industry.”

Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility.

New Pop Up Masterclass Workshop Series Launch: Cultivating Accessibility Leaders

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We’re excited to introduce the Cultivating Accessibility Leaders Masterclass Series, a new, in-person workshop series from TravelAbility taking place in three regions across the U.S. — the South, East, and Midwest.

Ideal for DMOs, DMCs, airports, hotels, museums, attractions, event venues, this series delivers hands-on training to empower teams and leaders to assess, improve, and promote accessibility initiatives within their organizations. 

What You’ll Learn:

· How to evaluate current offerings and identify gaps
· Tools and training methods that work
· Best practices for marketing accessibility and inclusive storytelling
· Low-cost adaptive solutions across mobility, sensory, hearing, and vision access
· Lived insights from disabled travelers and influencers

You’ll also have the opportunity to earn the Accessibility Leader Certificate of Completion, recognizing you as a leader in the field with the requisite knowledge to fulfill that role. The program has been developed in partnership with Rosen College of Hospitality Management to recognize inclusive leadership in travel.

Learn More

The first stop? Orlando!

A promotional graphic for the TravelAbility Cultivating Accessibility Leaders Masterclass in Orlando, FL on September 19, 2025. On the left, the TravelAbility logo appears above bold blue text reading “Cultivating Accessibility Leaders Masterclass, Orlando, FL |September 19, 2025.” Beside, a circular photo shows a panel discussion with seated attendees. Yellow and blue ribbon-like graphics curve around the photo and side of the graphic.

A One-Day Masterclass for Accessible Travel Leadership

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, FL
Price: Early Bird – $595 through August 2nd | Regular – $795 through September 1 | Late/Onsite $995 

All registered attendees of The Cultivating Accessibility Leaders Masterclas get a special $500 discount off their registration for the 2025 TravelAbility Summit.  

Be part of a growing movement to make accessible travel standard, not special. We hope to see you in Orlando.

Register Today!

Save the Date! The second stop will be Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on December 9th, 2025!

Thank you to our host, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and to our major sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, as well as Visit Orlando, for their generous support in making this initiative possible.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Your name and email will never be sold to third parties.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Your name and email will never be sold to 3rd parties.