TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Trends

Shaping Accessible Travel: Destination A11y Club Members Drive Innovation

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What began as a space to connect around the TravelAbility Playbook has evolved into something far bigger. The Destination A11y Club (DAC) is no longer just sharing ideas. It’s launching pilots, influencing policy conversations, embedding accessibility into education, and building tools that will shape how destinations prepare for 2030 and beyond.

Here’s a snapshot from February’s DAC meeting.

Jake Steinman, Founder, TravelAbility

The 2030 “Moonshot” + Convention Center Pilot

Following a 47-stop listening tour that included meetings with Destination DC and VISIT FLORIDA, Jake shared two major initiatives:

1. TravelAbility Approved Convention Centers (Pilot Launching)

A new program designed to align accessibility with sustainability-level standards. Five DAC DMOs will pilot the program. Coverage from USAE will provide marketing and gauge interest.

2. America 250: Accessibility Handbook

Along with the DAC, TravelAbility is developing an accessibility framework to support America 250 celebrations — with a legacy impact that extends beyond 2026. The goal is to position DMOs as the accessibility hub connecting transportation, planning, disability services, and city leadership.

3. Plug-and-Play Accessibility Guide

TravelAbility has compiled vetted InnovateAble products, affordable, scalable solutions for convention centers, cities, and hotels, creating an actionable menu of improvements tied directly to the 2030 demographic shift.

Destination Updates from the Field

Tami Reist, CEO, Visit North Alabama

Launched a first-of-its-kind accessible adventure guide and distributed $500 micro-grants across her 16 counties to spark tangible improvements—from sensory rooms and Braille signage to automated doors for independent wheelchair access—now compiling the results into a regional booklet tied to America 250. She’s leveraging the initiative to engage congressional and transportation leaders on the coming 2030 accessibility surge, while also pushing the hotel industry to confront unmet demand for accessible rooms and rethink compliance as both an economic and community imperative.

Molly Barbeiri, Visit Tampa Bay

Announced that early bird registration is now open for the upcoming TravelAbility Summit in Tampa, alongside monthly strategy calls with TravelAbility positioning the city as a model accessible destination of the future. As part of that effort, Tampa is working with a the host hotel to transform two ADA rooms into hands-on accessibility showrooms featuring InnovateAble style “catalog” products, inviting hotels and attractions to tour the spaces daily and accelerate adoption across the destination.

Cassie & Rami, Visit Charlottesville

Hosted their third annual “Tourism for All” conference, drawing 125 tourism professionals and centering accessibility with a dedicated panel. Secured a $10,000 grant from Virginia Tourism Corporation to bring Houston Vandergriff of Downs & Towns to the destination for a three-day, history-focused itinerary aligned with America 250. Houston’s project now appears in 100,000 printed visitor guides, which also feature a new accessibility page directing readers online—work that has already inspired Tennessee State Parks to pursue a similar collaboration, with Charlottesville next presenting on accessibility at the Virginia Association of Museums Conference.

Kate Lieto, Experience Grand Rapids

Launched a new AI Accessibility Agent in partnership with Wheel the World, the result of nearly a year of development. The visitor-facing chatbot includes accessibility details for roughly 500 mapped venues—sourced through the local disability network, Wheel the World data, and hosted influencers—and can answer both broad trip-planning questions and highly specific ones, like exact hotel bed heights, with more enhancements still to come.

Claire Mouledoux, Visit Alexandria

Launching a new destination campaign that, for the first time, features a traveler with a visible disability in the primary cast, signaling a meaningful step forward in representation. With new senior operations leader Mary Ronaldo championing accessibility internally, the team is continuing staff-wide training with Visitable and hosting a “Welcoming Travelers with Disabilities” member program this April at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus—embedding accessibility across marketing, operations, and membership efforts.

Julie Pingston, Choose Lansing

Launching a walking study with AARP to train stakeholders on infrastructure improvements that benefit both residents and visitors.

Kate Sappell, Travel Oregon

Concentrating on the DOJ’s digital accessibility compliance deadline, supporting partners in meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards through a statewide webinar and a new “Ask an Expert” program that offers up to five hours of one-on-one consulting with accessibility specialist Jen Macias. The team is also working to better connect physical accessibility assessments with the online visitor experience and will spotlight that progress at the Governor’s Conference in panels including disability advocate Sophie Morgan.

Toni Bastian, Visit Richmond

As host of this June’s TBEX, Visit Richmond created 19 pre-conference tours and ensured each one includes detailed, practical accessibility information on the event website—raising the bar beyond the typical “not ADA” label seen at prior conferences. The team used TravelAbility’s AI Companion to refine clear, respectful language for the descriptions, aligning with TBEX’s broader accessibility programming this year, which includes a keynote including Cory Lee, Leslie Walker, and Phoenyx Powell.

Kitty Sharman, TravelAbility

Nearly 3,000 students have completed an accessibility module based on the TravelAbility Playbook embedded within required coursework, helping scale accessibility education across the next generation of industry leaders.

Hot-Off-the-Press Data | Brian Searfoss, VP Client Engagement, Longwoods International

In partnership with TravelAbility, Longwoods analyzed 3,985 overnight trips (Jan–June 2025).

Key Findings:

  • 18% of U.S. travel parties include someone requiring accessibility services
  • 62% mobility-related
  • 20% hearing
  • 20% vision
  • 18% cognitive/neurodiverse

This is not an occasional traveler segment:

  • 36% take four or more trips annually
  • 58% strongly prefer returning to destinations that prove accessible
  • 80% of travelers with disabilities plan their own trips

Accessibility performance nationally is holding steady — but not improving. Some destinations saw satisfaction decline in 2024.

The takeaway: accessibility isn’t niche. It’s loyalty, frequency, and long-lead planning power.

TravelAbility Announces First-of-Its-Kind Disability Content Creator Database With A Total of 164M Followers

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This year, the TravelAbility research team has developed a first-of-its-kind content creator database, currently identifying 555 verified disability creators with active social accounts across major platforms. The aim is to establish a network of disability influencers who hold trust and influence within their specific disability communities, creating a reliable media resource for travel marketers and serving as a collective voice for advocacy. 

Over the past year, our team has worked to identify creators, collect contact information, and build relationships. The creators in the database create a wide range of content with some focusing specifically on travel and others sharing accessibility through everyday lived experience. Their voices are trusted within disability communities and offer destinations an authentic way to connect. 

As the initiative moves forward, TravelAbility will continue to expand engagement and refine how the database supports creators, destinations and industry partners. 

Snapshot: Disability Creator Representation

Disability Category Verified Creators Estimated Combined Reach
Mobility29267M
Neurodivergent 9952M
Blind/ Low Vision3213M
Deaf / Hard of Hearing359M
Chronic Disease588M
Dwarfism2617M
Mental Illness7 5M
Senior11650K
Speech Impediment 4180K
Invisible Disability673K
Plus Size227K

Why the Database Matters

Disabled and aging travelers are actively seeking information about destinations investing in accessibility. For many within the disability community, travel bloggers and social media creators who share their lived experience serve as trusted sources of guidance when planning trips. Their perspectives provide practical insight into how accessibility features function in real-world settings.

When destinations collaborate with disabled content creators to highlight their accessibility features, they ensure that the people who rely on those features know they are available.

Until now, few structured resources have helped destinations identify disability creators with relevant access needs and established trust within their communities. This initiative helps close that gap.

Creator Engagement: What We’re Hearing

To better understand creator interest, experience, and readiness for destination collaboration, TravelAbility conducted a brief survey with creators contacted through the database.

Response at a glance:

  • 74 creators have responded so far
  • 18.5 million combined followers across respondents

What we’re learning:

  • 58 creators already produce travel or travel-adjacent content
  • 15 creators are interested in entering the travel space
  • 52 creators have never participated in a FAM or press trip, despite strong interest

These early responses point to strong creator engagement and a clear access gap, highlighting an opportunity for more outreach and education.

Initial Success and What’s Next

In its early stages, the Content Creator Database is already fostering new connections within the TravelAbility community. For the inaugural TravelAbility Film Festival, creators from the database submitted content, including several previously unknown to our community—like 3rd-place winner Vineet Victor—whose work was showcased to a room full of DMOs at the Summit. The database also enabled TravelAbility to welcome more disabled travelers to speak and participate in networking sessions, adding a richer tapestry of lived experiences to the Summit.

As we move into the next stage of this project, we plan to create more opportunities to inspire collaboration and deliver real value for all participants.

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!

Advice Line: Lessons with Kristy Durso Part One

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Accessibility isn’t about ‘them.’ It’s about all of us.”

When you meet with a city council or tourism board, what single statistic or story most effectively demonstrates the importance of investing in accessibility?

There are a few ways I like to answer this question, but the most impactful is leading with the numbers—because numbers don’t lie and they tell a powerful story.

I’ll often ask travel professionals, “How much do you think people with disabilities spend on accessible travel?” The guesses are usually way off. Some say $10 million, maybe $10 billion if they’re thinking big.

But the truth? Between 2019 and 2020, people with disabilities spent $58.7 billion on accessible travel in the U.S. alone.

And that’s just a fraction of the potential. Many travelers with disabilities still hesitate to travel because they’re afraid their needs won’t be met. Imagine how much higher that figure could be if more destinations were truly inclusive.

It’s also important to realize this isn’t a small group. According to the CDC, 27% of American adults have a diagnosed disability. That’s more than one in four people. This is a major market segment, not a niche.

I also love sharing a moment from my keynotes. I’ll ask the audience, “Who here has a disability or a family member with a disability?” Usually about a third of the room stands. Then I break down what a disability actually includes—vision impairments like wearing glasses, neurodivergence, temporary conditions—and by the end, nearly the entire room is on their feet. It’s a powerful visual. Accessibility isn’t about “them”—it’s about all of us.

Another stat I share: families with a disability spend 30% more when they travel. Sometimes that’s due to extra equipment, but often it’s because better service means their needs are met. If an average family spends $3,000 on a trip, a family with accessibility needs might spend $4,000. Multiply that by how often we travel in larger groups, return to places that treat us well and tell our communities—it adds up fast.

Take Disney World. Ask any U.S.-based accessible travel group where to go, and the first answer is always Disney. Not because of specialized programs, they’ve actually phased some of those out, but because their customer service is consistently excellent. They meet guests’ needs first. That reputation alone has made them a leader in accessible travel, supporting everything from food allergies to wheelchairs to neurodivergencies.

So when I speak with tourism boards or councils, I focus on both sides: the emotional connection and the financial return. Accessibility is the right thing to do—but it’s also smart business. You’re not just meeting needs. You’re building loyalty, encouraging repeat visits, driving higher spend and fueling powerful word of mouth. And in tourism, where everything centers on customer service, that’s everything.

Check back next month for Part Two! Noble Studios conducted a thorough interview with Kristy Durso going over the many facets of creating a destination that is truly for everyone. This series is pulled directly from the interview. Click here for the full interview. 

Kristy Durso is sitting in her wheelchair on the beach, smiling over her shoulder with the beautiful turquoise ocean in the background.

Featured public speaker, accessibilities advocate, entrepreneur, Army veteran, and military wife Kristy Durso is Travelability’s Ambassedor and owns and operates Incredible Memories Travel, a full-service travel agency that assists everyone, including those with accessibility needs. She has three children, one who has autoimmune issues and food allergies, another on the spectrum, and another with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. 

News from the TravelAbility Community

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Wheel the World & Travel Michigan | Grand Rapids Gains “Destination Verified” Status for Accessible Travel

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Lynn Osmond Joins Wheel the World and TravelAbility to Champion Accessible Travel Nationwide

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Cannes Film Festival & Visit California: The American Pavilion to Launch Inaugural “California Day”

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EnChroma | EnChroma Glasses Come To Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival For Color Blind Visitors

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Visit Florida | Survey Reveals: Top Winter Destinations and Travel Trends for Seniors in 2025

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Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program & Autism Doublechecked | 4 Qualifying Questions Travel Advisors Should Ask Clients with Autism

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MMGY, Open Doors Organization | The State of Accessible Travel

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Blind Travels | What if You Could Touch a Sunset?

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