TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

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How DMO’s and Hotels Can Help Conferences Become More Accessible

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Wheelchair user Sylvia Longmire using a lift to attend a social gathering at a recent TedX conference.Sylvia Longmire, president of Spin the Globe, refers to herself as an accessible travel agent, blogger, disabled veteran and MS’er. She is also one of the most influential—and opinionated—voices reviewing destinations, cruise lines, hotels and attractions from a wheelchair user’s point of view. She doesn’t hold back. In a recent blog piece, she discussed the challenges of attending conferences and conventions.  

Our Take: Please, share this post with Meeting Planners, an integral part of our industry, who can use her suggestions to make their events more inclusive. Longmire’s spot-on advice can help raise awareness and improve accessibility conditions. We’re looking forward to what she writes next.

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Must-read: “Don’t Let a Disability Keep You from Exploring the World”

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Cover of book with three men standing on a mountain one in a backpack (which is Kevan)We Carry Kevan is the true story of how six friends carried one man across three countries. “Don’t let your disability stop you from exploring the world,” says Kevan Chandler in his new book, and documentary, and yes, even a Ted Talk. The man is unstoppable. Read more here.

The author is on a mission to redefine independent travel for wheelchair users like himself. And that he has. You can even buy the same backpack he designed for the trip. It will be available for purchase this summer. Details on his website.

 

 

 

 

Opinion: Three Words People With Disabilities Want You To Say

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people discussing an issue in a group about 13 of them young wearing ties and casual workwear

Surprise! If you guessed that technology was top of the list for people with disabilities, you may be overthinking things, according to this first-person essay published in Vox.com. It caught our eye because, honestly, people with disabilities are the experts when it comes to travel and mobility challenges and we’re taking every opportunity to listen to their points of view. Oh, and the three words they want you to say most? WE’VE GOT RAMPS.

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Legal Update: New York Investigates Destination-Trolling Lawyers

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man pointing finger wearing suitA recent NBC news investigation shows the top ADA lawsuits—2,338 of them in New York alone—are initiated by a small number of nefarious lawyers targeting malls, colleges, wineries, galleries, and other destinations.

If you know someone who’s been hit by one of these drive-by lawsuits, you know how disruptive and costly it can be to resolve the issue. 

How can you protect yourself from drive-by lawsuits? And when will this trend end? 

A few bottom-fishing lawyers who prey on people with disabilities to make quick money ultimately cast shade on both well-intentioned lawyers and the disabled community making reasonable claims for equal access. Just like able-bodied customers, they have the right to a website they can navigate, a restaurant where there’s room for them to sit, a hotel that has an accessible bathroom and a ramp to be used for stairs. Don’t panic—and do educate yourself. The best approach for now: Watch the NBC news report and don’t panic. Instead, make yourself familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

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Travel Pro, Speaker, and Trendmaster Bill Geist Joins TravelAbility Summit Board 

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For more than 20 years, Bill Geist has been pushing the envelope, challenging the status quo and calling out sacred cows and buffoons in the process. He also is quick to praise—and share news about— the truly innovative people, processes and projects he sees. Through his newsletters and speaking engagements, he provides high-level information and thought leadership on the top Destination Marketing news. We are pleased to welcome him to our growing TravelAbility Summit Advisory Board. You can find his work at  https://dmoproz.com.