TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

TravelAbility Summit

Planning Accessible FAM Trips: Expert Tips from the 2024 TravelAbility Summit

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Last year’s TravelAbility Summit brought together disability influencers, destinations, and travel professionals in hands-on sessions, panels, and networking opportunities. One highlight was the FAM trip presentation, designed to help destinations and creators get the most out of these collaborative experiences. It offered practical guidance on planning your first FAM trip and making the most of influencer collaborations.

Building on that momentum, the 2025 TravelAbility Summit will bring even more opportunities to connect and learn. Taking place October 13–15 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, this year’s Summit features:

  • Panel discussions with industry leaders and influencers sharing best practices
  • Speed-dating sessions connecting destinations directly with creators
  • Hands-on training for growing influencers on how to work effectively with destinations

Watch the video and summary below from last year’s FAM Trip Presentation to help you to prepare for your first FAM trip, before booking your next influencer.

Summary

  • 📣 Reframing the Session Title – Introduction and highlighting that all fam trips—especially accessible ones—can be both tricky and rewarding to plan.
    ➤ Session Introduction
  • 🧳 Campaign with North Alabama – Highlights a 2025 yearlong campaign involving 10 creators to promote accessible experiences in North Alabama.
    ➤ North Alabama Campaign Overview
  • ✅ Basic Fam Trip Planning – Reviews essential planning steps: define objectives, carefully select creators, manage logistics, set content expectations, and measure ROI.
    ➤ Fam Planning Essentials
  • 💬 Matchmaker: Creators and Content – Urges planners to choose creators who align with their mission rather than just follower count, valuing niche engagement.
    ➤ Creator Alignment Strategy
  • 🛎️ Ensure True Accessibility – Check properties and activities for actual, not assumed, accessibility—including sensory needs—before the trip.
    ➤ Checking for True Accessibility
  • 🧠 Plan with Sensory Awareness – Discusses the importance of pacing and sensory-friendly planning to avoid overwhelming creators.
    ➤ Pacing & Sensory Inclusion
  • 🧍‍♂️ Train Partners on Etiquette – Educate hospitality partners on disability etiquette and guest preferences, down to details like greetings and interaction style.
    ➤ Partner Training on Inclusion
  • 🤝 Appoint On-Site Support – Assign a trained liaison to support creators during the visit, respecting personal boundaries and logistical needs.
    ➤ On-Site Support Role
  • ⌛ Create Space to Create – Schedule downtime for influencers to recharge and produce quality content, avoiding overstuffed itineraries.
    ➤ Build in Creation Time
  • 🏛️ Communicate Access Details Honestly – Inform creators of what is and isn’t accessible so they can decide how to engage with each experience.
    ➤ Transparent Access Communication
  • 🎁 Intentional Surprises & Emotional Hooks – Share examples of emotionally resonant experiences that built loyalty and lasting relationships with creators.
    ➤ Meaningful Surprise Stories
  • 📈 Share Results Widely – Encourage destinations to share content performance and creator praise to build future support and advocacy.
    ➤ Sharing & Advocacy

Insights Based on Numbers

  • 📊 ROI measurement and content repurposing are often neglected, undercutting the long-term value of influencer investments.
  • 🤝 Emotional experiences during trips drive ongoing creator advocacy—highlighting the power of authentic connection over logistics.

Josh Loebner Shares How Accessibility Marketing Has Gone Mainstream

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Accessibility isn’t a niche – it’s the new standard. At last year’s TravelAbility Summit, Josh Loebner gave a talk on how what was once seen as a compliance checkbox is now a creative frontier. From fast food to fine dining, Super Bowl ads to global travel, accessibility is shaping the way the world connects. 

Clients like Coca-Cola and Ford are proving that inclusive design is central to modern branding. This session dives into why accessibility matters to everyone—and how it’s becoming the gold standard across industries.

Watch the video and dive into the summary below! For more insights like this, join us in Central Oregon for the 2025 TravelAbility Summit from October 13th to October 15th at the Sunriver Resort. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, meet accessible travel influencers, and stay up to date on new innovations in assistive technology for the travel industry.

Register Today!

Summary

  • 🎙️ Introduction and Personal Background
    Josh Loebner shares his 20-year journey in advertising, his PhD focus on disability inclusion, and his leadership at VML as the Global Head of Inclusive Design.
    Watch here
  • 🏆 Creative Accessibility in Advertising
     Accessibility is shifting from compliance to creativity. VML’s initiatives, like winning the Grand Prix Lion, illustrate how design can be both imaginative and inclusive.
    Watch here
  • 🌍 VML’s Global Reach and Clients
     VML is a vast global agency with 30,000 employees and notable clients such as Ford, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, all integrating accessibility into diverse brand strategies.
    Watch here
  • 📈 Accessibility Goes Mainstream
     Search trends and public interest in accessibility are on the rise. It’s now seen as relevant to everyone, not just those with disabilities.
    Watch here
  • 🧏 Captioning for All
     Captioning is widely used, even by those without hearing loss, enriching media experiences through creative and nuanced text.
    Watch here
  • 🍔 Accessible Advertising Examples
     Wendy’s global campaigns are cited as inclusive. Accessibility is considered at all touchpoints, including fast food and fine dining experiences.
    Watch here
  • 🚗 Accessibility in Travel and Public Spaces
     The video explores how accessibility is integrated across travel experiences—from airports to local venues—highlighting thoughtful design.
    Watch here
  • 🏪 Retail Accessibility
     Retail giants like Walmart and Target now have accessibility centers and leads, showing industry-wide commitment to inclusion.
    Watch here
  • 📱 Innovative Scenic Audio App
     A powerful example involving a Scenic audio app for blind users uses AI and generative tools to create immersive travel experiences.
    Watch here
  • 🔮 Future of AI and Accessibility
     VML aims to make all ads accessible by 2025 using AI for audio descriptions and captions—blending tech and inclusion.
    Watch here

Insights Based on Numbers

  • 🌐 30,000 Employees at VML: Emphasizes the scale and global capability of the agency.
  • 📊 Rising Google Trends: The year-over-year growth in accessibility-related searches shows societal shifts.

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.

What are the Top 10 Trends in Accessible Travel?

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Last year’s TravelAbility Summit featured a presentation revealing The Top Ten Trends for Accessible Travel in 2025. Read a summary and watch the full video below!

Summary

  • 🚕 Accessible Transportation Revolution
     Ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft face legal pressure to become wheelchair accessible. Rental cars now offer adaptive features and Ford introduces models with audio descriptions for blind users.
    Watch here
  • 🛫 Airports Embrace Universal Access
     New airport renovations include cutting-edge accessibility upgrades—like changing rooms—highlighted by Portland Airport’s initiatives.
    Watch here
  • 🧠 Smart Tech Enhances Navigation
     Google Maps adds wheelchair-accessible routes. Hotels now feature voice-activated controls and AI travel planners for a seamless, informed experience.
    Watch here
  • 🤫 Rise of Sensory-Friendly Destinations
     Quiet areas in airports and stores (e.g., Walmart) cater to neurodivergent travelers. Autism-friendly travel packages are growing in popularity.
    Watch here
  • 🛌 Universal Design in Accommodations
     Wider doorways, roll-in showers, and height-adjustable furniture are being adopted into architectural blueprints, making spaces inherently inclusive.
    Watch here
  • 🌍 Virtual Reality Previews
     Travelers can explore destinations through VR before visiting. Tools like 360° hotel room tours boost planning confidence.
    Watch here
  • 🧗 Inclusive Adventure Tourism
     Tools like Be My Eyes and Aira assist blind travelers in hiking and outdoor activities. Oregon leads with grants funding these innovations.
    Watch here
  • 🏖️ Accessible Beach Access Innovations
     Greece installs ramps into the sea for wheelchair users. Sensory-safe beach areas are being designed for neurodiverse visitors.
    Watch here
  • 📋 Nano Training for Hospitality
     Scandinavian hotels use sub-50-second videos to train staff on disability service—an efficient way to boost service quality.
    Watch here
  • 📺 Inclusive Representation in Media TV shows and marketing campaigns are increasingly spotlighting autism and disability. Large firms like Unilever are leading with inclusive messaging.
     Watch here

Watch Here

These trends aren’t just hypothetical—they’re being discussed, demonstrated, and accelerated at the TravelAbility Summit, where accessibility leaders, tourism professionals, and innovators come together to share solutions and spark progress. Join us October 13–15, 2025, at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon to experience the conversations shaping the future of travel. From live hands-on workshops and expert presentations to networking with changemakers, the Summit is where the next wave of accessibility innovation begins.

Register Today!

Meet the 2025 INNOVATEAble Finalists: 9 Breakthrough Travel Accessibility Solutions Pitching at ADA 35

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The world’s only pitch event showcasing innovations, technologies and amenities that make travel easier for people with disabilities.

Dive into 7th Annual InnovateAble 2025, The Shark Tank for Accessible Travel Innovations technologies and amenities to Celebrate ADA 35

Get ready for an inspiring virtual showcase like no other! On July 25, 2024, we’re celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a groundbreaking event that’s all about empowering travel for those with disabilities.

I’m thrilled to announce InnovateAble, a unique pitch fest that’s reminiscent of Shark Tank, but with a twist. It’s dedicated to showcasing assistive technology, services and innovations that promise to revolutionize travel for people with disabilities and seniors.”

Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility.

Event Details:

  • Date: July 25, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM Pacific Time on Zoom
  • Format: Quick-fire 3-minute pitches with a 7-minute Q&A
  • Location: Zoom – Open to registered attendees of the 2025 TravelAbility Summit.
Register Today
Learn More

This event is not just a competition: it’s a beacon of innovation, organized by the forward-thinkers at TravelAbility. The TravelAbility team spent hours researching over 45 companies/products and after an exhaustive process selected 9 finalists to present to our panel of judges. We’re proud to share that past participants have raised a staggering $563.4 million in funding, proving that these innovations are not just visionary but also viable.

2025 Line-Up Includes:

Mobility

Rio Mobility designs lightweight manual and power attachments that can effortlessly convert most standard wheelchairs into power wheelchairs capable opening off-road as well as on-road experiences.

ADAPTS is a portable transfer sling designed for safe, manual wheelchair transfers in inaccessible places such as airplanes, hotels, or stairwells.

BoardSafe Docks is the leading designer and manufacturer of premium aluminum floating docks and adaptive launch systems.

Effortless Lifts, an innovative boat mobility system specifically designed to facilitate access to water-based activities for individuals with mobility impairments.

Deafness/Hard of Hearing

Koda is a powerful, device-agnostic live captioning platform that uses AI and data to boost accessibility, engagement, and retention at events—no downloads required.

Blind and Low Vision

Tourch2See provides tablets allowing blind and visually impaired community to attend live sporting game.

RightHear is an audible wayfinding system that helps enhance accessibility, by enabling visitors to navigate indoor and outdoor spaces more independently.

Neurodiversity

Scan Me Home is a simple ID system using QR codes—on an app or iron-on patch—to help quickly reunite lost loved ones who may have eloped with their families.

Lotus is a wearable ring that lets people with limited mobility control home devices by simply pointing—no apps, rewiring, or Wi-Fi required, and it’s travel-friendly too.