The Intersection of Travel and Disability
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.
A 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.
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.
To be sure that everyone on wheels can take advantage of the beach or uneven terrain this summer, why not roll out the ‘red carpet’ of accessibility? Beach Trax. The lightweight, foldable pathway gives portable access to every destination visitor regardless of the terrain.
The details: The best way to explain how easy the product is to use is to think of each ‘track’ as a highly-durable, thick square (imagine a doormat but BIGGER) that folds out in sections. (Or instead of taking our word for it, watch co-founder Kelly Twichel roll it out in seconds, here.) They’ve also kept the price reasonable. Beach Trax (sold in sets of 10) are $650 each.
About the company: The San Diego-based company’s co-founders, both occupational therapists, were inspired to create Beach Trax when fellow adaptive surfers were looking for a way to get to the water independently.
Want more details on the product and Twichel’s work?
Last February, NBC’s Harry Smith went climbing with Erik Weihenmayer, the adventurer who has conquered some of the most dangerous places on earth. He also happens to be blind. Click here to watch the TODAY show video, including the end, where every newsperson at the table looks scared out of their mind just talking about the climbs Weihenmayer lives to complete. It’s really an amazing story that puts life in perspective.
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