TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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Feedback from 120MM Users Puts Accessibility on Google Maps

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A #localguide checks out the view and amenities.

With the “Accessible Places” feature enabled, business and points of interest with wheelchair-accessible entrances are marked with a wheelchair icon along with information about whether accessible seating, restrooms, and parking are available, according to a Gizmodo story.

OUR TAKE This change shows the power of crowdsourcing. According to Google, the change came about after  Google put out a call for accessibility information contributors in 2017. Since then, 120 million users posted updates on Google Maps regarding the presence of wheelchair-accessible facilities and now they’re not hiding in the ‘about’ section so they’re super easy to find. Plus, it’s a tiny trivia moment for us. One of the companies at our first summit, Wheel the World, was an early supporter of this initiative, which was part of #localguides. 

We Will Not Be Out Sanitized! How 13 Hotel Chains are Making Themselves Clean and Safe

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scrubbing with rubber gloves that are blue and spray bottle and paper towel

In an effort to allay traveling consumers’ fear of contracting Covid-19, the leading hotel chains are practically falling over one another in an effort to demonstrate that their safe and clean initiatives are developed in conjunction with top health organizations. Each hotel’s protocol starts with guidance from the Center for Disease Control. On top of that, each hotel group is also collaborating with a panoply of respected health brands for validation. Here are the details:

The Marriott International Global Cleanliness Council is made up of advisory members: a senior corporate scientist, food safety and public health for Ecolab; an infectious disease specialist at Adventist Healthcare; and the professor of food microbiology in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University.

Hilton has incorporated CleanStay with Lysol Protection, a scientific approach to cleaning practices and product offerings. Experts from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team also advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning and disinfection protocols. 

Hyatt’s Global Care Initiative involves an accreditation process by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) at all 900 hotels worldwide. The hospitality brand plans to introduce a GBAC STAR accreditation through a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program.

The IHG Clean Promise team is working closely with medical experts at the  Cleveland Clinic to develop guidance and resources for hotel teams on returning to work and keeping guests safe in this new environment. 

\Four Seasons “Lead with Care” is a collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, the leading global division of health care and research. Johns Hopkins blesses its new global health and safety program and provides ongoing, real-time guidance on the evolving Covid-19 situation.

Cleanliness Protocols for 13 Hotel Groups Globally

Hotel ChainClean + SafePrimary Brands
Accor GroupAll SafeFairmont, Sofitel 
Best WesternWe Care CleanBest Western, BW Collection, Sure Stay
Choice HotelsCommitment to CleanChoice, Quality Inn, Clarion, Comfort Inn
Extended StayStay ConfidentExtended Stay America
Four SeasonsLead with CareFour Seasons hotel and resort
G6Covid UpdateMotel 6
HiltonClean StayHilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree. Hampton Inn,  
Hyatt HotelsGlobal Care CommitmentHyatt, Hyatt Regency, Destination Hotels
IHG HotelsFresh TakeHoliday Inn, Intercontinental, Kimpton, Embassy Suites
Loews HotelsSafety and Well BeingLoews Hotels and Resorts
MarriottCommitment to CleanMarriott, JW Marriott, Ritz Carleton
OmniSafe and CleanOmni
Radisson HotelsSocial ResponsibilityRadisson, Radisson Blue
WyndhamCount on UsWyndham, Ramada, Days Inn, Travelodge, Howard Johnson

We’ve also added a cleanliness 101 session to TravelAbility Summit 2020. Find the agenda, here.

Bright New Ideas For TravelAbility Summit October 12-14, 2020

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gorgeous handing lightbulb with bright pink background

It’s clear that our focus should be on offering the industry reliable, simple-to-follow resources in this new COVID-19 market. That’s what we’re doing. Our 2020 Virtual TravelAbility Summit and Launchpad will highlight items that you need to know now, including training staff, gaining trust, and learning lessons from peers. As the industry changes, for better or for worse, we’re proud to make ourselves of service.

Note: To be on top of the news, our program will change to reflect any new realities for the travel industry in this crisis. Stay safe.

Try Game Theory to Secure Your Preferred Airline Seat

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drawing of inside an airplay with three rows of 2 seats
It even comes with a game board!

Ultimate traveler John Morris of the blog wheelchairtravel.org found himself in 4A instead of his favorite, 4F on the last flight he was scheduled to take pre-pandemic. No problem, he masterminded a plan, “I decided to play a classic game of chicken with Mr. 4F, hoping that fear of coronavirus would cause him to surrender the seat.” Find the seat map, or game board, here.

 OUR TAKE: This is pure genius in a six-feet-apart world. John even gave readers the gameboard or seat plan, above.

Will a Digital Jigsaw Puzzle Leave Your Heart in San Francisco?

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a San Fran view made into a puzzle

Offering six jigsaw puzzles (free) for people sheltering in place, San Francisco Travel just put a lock on people’s focus—at least for a while.  Visitors to their site can ‘see’ PIER 39 sea lions, gaze upon the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park or the skyline at Dolores Park, take a ride on a cable car or enjoy views of The Golden Gate Bridge. They are available to try, here. 

OUR TAKE: The organization’s tagline is “by the time you’ve solved all these puzzles, it’ll be time to start planning your next trip to San Francisco.” This follows the common wisdom that positivity, paired with a few free experiences (puzzles!), keeps visitors coming to your site. They may also draw in new travel fans.