TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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Have You Signed & Shared? 50K Say We Must Standardize Hotel Bed Heights

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Why can’t all hotel bed heights be the same? [photo of bed with pillows including an emoticon poop pillow]

The most frequent question about hotel room accessibility asked by blog readers concerns bed height — why are hotel beds so tall? Tall beds may be ‘in’ right now, but they are a major accessibility barrier to wheelchair users, who face difficulty in transferring between uneven surfaces, explains blogger and Advisory Board Member John Morris. 

 Our take: First, the reason why beds are not a uniform height: the ADA does not set a maximum bed height requirement as well as the fact that a large number of semi-ambulatory disabled people need a taller bed. Turn concern into action by signing the Change.org petition Morris found after doing some digging and join 50K other folks who have done the same. To sign the petition on Change.org, click here. 

Is easyTravelseat the Breakthrough Wheelchair Travelers Have Been Waiting For?

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A woman in her wheelchair on the tarmac happy to be traveling with her EasySeat.

Sure, it’s a seat you can use on the airplane, but it’s so much more. Designed by disabled entrepreneur Josh Wintersgill, who was recently named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the UK,  easyTravelseat, can go with you on outings to the beach, help you to get into a pool with or without the use of a hoist and experience a day touring by car. Boats, hot-air ballooning, and helicoptering aren’t out of the question either.   

Our take: This British entrepreneur is on the cutting edge of a massive movement to make multi-use accessible designs at affordable prices. Of course, safety comes first. This one has gotten the thumbs up from several UK experts and is being praised for how easy it is to use.  

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Lawsuit in 2020

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[Guy wearing dark suit buttoning it up on stairs.]

ADA Title III lawsuits flooded federal courts in 2019 and will likely continue to do so in 2020 with new theories for the courts to consider, according to the Seyfarth report. Get the details on lawsuits filed (10,206) in 2019. And watch these trends, including Braille Gift Card Lawsuits and multiple lawsuits regarding hotel reservations and accommodations. The easiest way to boost your knowledge of ADA standards, accessible design and technical assistance in 2020? Read about the law on this website.

OUR TAKE: Someone recently joked—we should start saying there are three things nobody can avoid—death, taxes and accessibility lawsuits. But seriously, as the 30th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act comes up in July, it is fact that you will hear about accessibility as a big issue. TravelAbility’s Advisory Board and newsletters will continue to offer the latest advice. 

7 Attendees Speak Their Minds About TravelAbility Summit 2019

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crowd at San Francisco reception talking during conference to other attendees
Attendees socialize at the hotel and talk all things accessibility, tech and more.

Here are seven comments from TravelAbility Summit attendees that were either posted online or sent to us via e-mail. We are humbled. -Jake, Tricia, Denise, and the TravelAbility Team.

When Travel and Disability Intersect

  • “I found the Summit to be a fascinating and educational three days. In targeting the intersection of disability and travel I think you’ve locked on to a critical conversation. Coming from the disability side, I knew there was work to be done but if I’m being honest, I had no idea how much there is and how large the disconnect is between the two communities. In conversation after conversation I was both shocked at how little many of the travel industry representatives knew or understood about accessibility and disability while also being impressed by their genuine desire to learn and their openness to new ideas. That combination makes me think that the TravelAbility summit could grow into something much, much bigger and even more impactful.”  Ian Ruder, New Mobility Magazine

Innovative Business Owners

  • “What a fantastic, first ever, TravelAbility Summit! This was truly a don’t-miss conference. My colleague and I met innovative business owners, bloggers, disability experts, fellow DMO’s championing accessibility issues, and so many incredible professionals. Thank you for making this worthwhile summit happen. I can’t wait to work with everyone in the coming months and attending TravelAbility Summit 2020!  Judi Durant, Ft. Myers CVB

 People Are Just Glad You’re Trying

  • “Such a great first-time conference! I learned so much and made so many great connections. The top two things I learned at the conference were: It’s OK if you don’t know exactly what language to use or how to approach the topic of accessibility. People will be glad you are trying and there are great resources and experts along the way to help you. We also learned how people can help us make our destinations, websites, social media, hotels and restaurants accessible to all travelers.” Carol Astley, Travel Oregon 

Awareness + Empathy

  • “Two takeaways: First, we are early in the journey of providing equal access to the joy and benefits of travel for people with disabilities (mobility, vision, hearing, autism and more.) This journey starts with awareness, empathy, and understanding of the nuances and issues that need to be solved. Second, this group of attendees is made up of pioneers and leaders who have the vision and passion to make a true difference. We need to move from discussion to action, even if small. Aira is here to help.” Troy Otillio, Aira 

 Strong Connections

  • “This conference and the people that were included resulted in an event that was inspiring, timely, poignant, and truly educational through listening and empathy. I made some strong connections. Some are real opportunities to make a difference if we work collaboratively with other companies. Thank you for including and featuring me in the program and letting me know how I and Pegasus as a company can further support you with future TravelAbility events or any other work that you do. Nate Lane, Pegasus

Baby Steps Work!

  • “First let me just congratulate you on, really, an impressive event. And second, let me thank you for including Open Doors in it. Your dedication to the cause is obvious not just in pulling off a major – not to mention brand new – event, but also in how to present yourself and your passion for accessible tourism. I’ve always said it takes just one champion to make a huge difference and you’ve proven that point once again. TravelAbility was a huge stepping-stone for the disability community but the real impact I saw was in the industry—and that’s exactly where it needs to be. You brought together strangers who all have a common goal of universal access in an industry that all people, regardless of limitations, want to be a part of.  Eric Lipp, Open Doors Organization

And Last But Not Least, Awesome Talent

  • “As I leave San Francisco I am reminded of the amazing week I’ve had here at the first-ever TravelAbility Summit. So many awesome speakers, companies and presentations! Congratulations to Jake Steinman and his team for a great conference.” Ron Petit, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Paralympian Deserves Medal for Scouting Out Accessible Beaches

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Paralympian wearing a medal blue jacket huge smile
photo courtesy TEAM USA [Paralympian Rausin holds a medal and wears her TEAM USA blue jacket]

USA Paralympian Arielle Rausin has loved the beach in Florida since she was young child growing up there. But because she didn’t grow up with ADA accessible mats (imagine them like sturdy rubber runways), her family had to drag her across the sand to get to the water, according to a Tampa-area Fox13 news piece. New ADA accessible Mobi Mats installed by the city of Tampa make the trek from car to shore a breeze. Rausin said the mats make such a huge difference she’s committed to recording and posting the best accessible beaches she finds online—all 660 miles of them if she can. No surprise there.

OUR TAKE: The wheelchair accessible beach mats aren’t new. According to its website, Mobi Mats has been making them for parks and recreation departments for 20 years. So what’s changed? Greater awareness and planning for millions of tourists and locals. “It’s not just people in wheelchairs, it’s people who use walkers, it’s people with baby strollers, it’s for everybody,” said one visitor interviewed in the news piece. These portable mats are a good example of using Universal design that is movable.