TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Uncategorized

“Achoo! Will Plexiglass Dividers Make Post- Pandemic Airlines Feel Safe?’

by

A mock-up of an interior with 3 seats, the middle turned in the opposite direction. Pretty genius! illustration courtesy Avio Interiors

The New York Post reports on an Italian company, Avio Interiors, that’s already designed the latest in virus-proof comfortable airplane seating. While there are no wheelchairs seats yet, there are some serious upgrades including more space and plastic germ shields. (You have no idea how far a sneeze droplet can travel until you’ve ridden the New York City subway.)

OUR TAKE: If airlines are going to go back to cattle car mode to survive, adding plexiglass seat dividers to their existing protocols and create opposing-facing middle seats may at least one way to mitigate the risk of infection 

Meet Parakeet and Learn Dozens of Virtual Conference Hacks in One Day

by

THE MEETING FOR VIRTUAL MEETING PLANNERS

New Event Space—the digital one. This virtual one stop shop event will be held on September 10th and 11th. Originally conceived as a dress rehearsal for TravelAbility Week, the goal is to help meeting planners plan smarter and make their events sing. As readers of this newsletter you know, TravelAbility comes at a crucial time. Instead of white- knuckling it through the upcoming months, we’re helping the travel industry prepare to attract 77 million baby boomers who will be aging into a disability over the next decade. In a nutshell, here’s our mission for the event. PARAKEET will: 

  • Reduce confusion by inviting the top platforms and API’s to demo based on unique features
  • Showcase cutting-edge tech that best replicates human engagement.
  • Highlight the most creative ways other organizers have used platforms

Now all you need to do is tell a colleague about us! You can find news about Parakeet (including a downloadable list of the 112 virtual conference platforms we researched and an explanation of the methodology) here.   

One Woman Making Disability History—for Decades

by

Judy H wearing a red sweater and smiling and finishing up her TedTalks speech. She is on set
Judith Heumann on set during her Ted Talk (smiling, wearing a red sweater).

No history of the ADA is complete without the mention of trailblazers, particularly Judith Heumann, author of a new book on her lifelong advocacy, a primer on how to get into good trouble. Heumann is also featured in CripCamp, the fearless and funny history of a summer camp for kids with disabilities in the 1970s that led to lifelong friendships and activism. Barack and Michele Obama produced the documentary. Here are a few of our favorite links to her work, including her new book, Netflix documentary, and a terrific Ted Talk and a brand-new profile of her in the New York Times.   See scenes that hit the cutting room floor, just released, here.

Radical New Ideas for Flying Post Covid-19

by

a couple who are asian wearing masks heading to a baggage claim

Better leave some extra time before you board that flight. NPR’s Marketplace explores what systems may be in place to protect you and your fellow passengers when flying takes off again. Read more.

Major Tour Operator Using “Well Being Directors” to Oversee Safety on Trips

by

A set of items laid out in preparation for a trip including jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, passport, disinfectant, mask, gloves, shirt

The Travel Corporation, which owns 30 travel brands, announced new wellbeing policies for its guided vacations.  The Well-being Directors will be trained in supplier engagement and compliance, daily monitoring of distancing, and hygiene standards. They will offer personal support to guests who have any questions or concerns relating to wellbeing measures while traveling. See more.