Video of the Month

Disabled Travelers Share The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

June 5, 2025 by lkarl Leave a Comment

The sometimes shocking experiences of real disabled travelers.

At the TravelAbility Summit, disability advocates and travel and hospitality professionals come together to reimagine what inclusive travel can truly look like. The event blends practical workshops, expert panels, and meaningful conversations that empower destinations, brands, and organizations to create more accessible experiences for all.

At last year’s summit, a panel of disabled travelers shared their firsthand experiences—the good, the bad, and the eye-opening. Lived experience remains the most powerful measure of true inclusion. We’re excited to keep the conversation going at our 2025 Summit in Sunriver, Oregon, taking place October 13–15th. Learn more and register today!

Watch the video below and explore the timestamped summary. How does your destination measure up?

At the 2024 TravelAbility Summit: Kristy Durso (TravelAbility, Incredible Memories Travel), Jessica Jordan Ping (The Rolling Explorer), Craig Radford (360 Direct Video), Sassy Wyatt (Blind Girl Adventures), and Talia Salem (Marriott).

Summary

Opening with Vulnerability – A wheelchair user shares a deeply personal and emotional experience of inaccessibility in Vancouver’s airport restrooms, transforming a humiliating moment into a story of compassion and advocacy.
➤ Restroom Accessibility Issue
Fairmont Hotel’s Kindness – The Fairmont Hotel provided sanctuary and dignity, reinforcing the power of empathy in service and influencing future travel recommendations.
➤ Fairmont’s Response
Denied Experiences on Honeymoon – Jessica recounts being refused full participation in a planned ATV adventure due to assumptions about her limb differences, underscoring the need for autonomy and transparency.
➤ Adventure Denied
Advocacy for Honest Accessibility Info – The discussion emphasizes how honesty about accessibility levels is more beneficial than misleading claims.
➤ Transparency in Accessibility
Communication Barriers for Deaf Travelers – Craig details a disappointing hotel and theatre experience where inadequate communication efforts highlighted systemic gaps in serving deaf guests.
➤ Lack of Accessibility for Deaf Guests
Navigational Struggles for Blind Travelers – Sassy shares multiple challenges at airports and train stations, from forced wheelchair use to being abandoned without communication or support.
➤ Travel Disorientation for Blind Travelers
Train Access Without Support – Despite being in a wheelchair and having heavy luggage, Sassy was left alone to navigate a train station without announcements or assistance.
➤ Abandoned at the Train Station

Insights Based on Numbers

While this session is anecdotal, the stories reflect pervasive issues affecting millions, particularly the frequent failures in communication and physical accessibility at transport and hospitality venues.
Real-time lived experience remains the most powerful metric for evaluating accessibility.

How the Industry can Make Travel More Inviting to Blind and Low Vision Travelers

April 30, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore how to make travel more accessible for everyone. Last year’s summit included a panel of blind travelers who shared the challenges they’ve encountered and offered insights on how destinations can eliminate barriers to blind travel.

Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Want to learn more? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025, where you can connect with industry experts and disability advocates dedicated to making travel more inclusive for all.

Summary

🏨 Accessible Hotel Experience: Hilton integrates “Be My Eyes”, allowing blind guests to receive assistance in navigating their rooms and amenities.
🚖 Ride-Share Challenges: Blind travelers face cancellation issues with Uber/Lyft due to guide dogs. Some drivers refuse to pick them up, causing major inconvenience.
🌎 Consistency in Accessibility: Industry experts emphasize the need for standardized Braille signage placement, so blind individuals can easily locate information.
🗺️ Navigation Solutions: GPS apps, breadcrumb tracking, and NaviLens QR codes are proposed to enhance navigation in hotels, parks, and public venues.
🏕️ Accessible Outdoor Travel: Blind hikers prefer better trail markings and audio guidance over excessive infrastructure changes.
🏛️ Inclusive Museums & Attractions: Museums should provide tactile maps, high-contrast signs, and digital audio guides for blind visitors.
🐕 Service Dog Challenges: Despite legal protections, hotels and ride services often misunderstand service dog policies, leading to unnecessary restrictions.
🔊 Elevator Accessibility: Adding audio announcements to elevators improves accessibility, making travel easier for blind and visually impaired guests.
🌍 Advocacy & Industry Standards: Experts encourage travel organizations to advocate for more accessible experiences, including better training for staff and public awareness initiatives.

Insights Based on Numbers

20-40% of guide dog users face rejection from ride-share services due to misinformation or discrimination.
Hilton’s partnership with “Be My Eyes” enables guests to receive real-time visual assistance from trained personnel.
273 Oregon State Parks are working towards better accessibility through improved signage, GPS solutions, and advocacy.

Watch the full session on YouTube!

How do Hotel Owners and Senior Leaders Really Feel about Accessibility?

March 19, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore emerging trends, challenges, and solutions in making travel more accessible for all. Last year’s summit included a panel of hotel leaders who discussed their experiences and perspectives on accessibility in hotels, emphasizing its importance and the industry’s challenges in implementing inclusive practices.

Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Looking to learn more? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, happening at the beautiful Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to engage with key players from the hospitality industry, travel sector, and disability space—all focused on making travel more accessible for everyone.

Learn more and register today at travelability.net.

💰 Business Impact & Litigation Concerns – Many hotel owners cite fear of litigation as a major barrier to improving accessibility, with examples of lawsuits impacting the industry financially and influencing decision-making.
🌏 Global Accessibility Perspectives – Insights on accessibility from different regions, including Taiwan and Europe, highlight varying degrees of inclusivity, with some newer hotels being more accessible than older establishments.
👥 Personal Experiences with Accessibility – Several panelists share personal stories about their connections to individuals with disabilities, reinforcing the importance of improving accessibility in hotels.
📊 The Growing Market for Accessible Travel – Data shows that the demand for accessible travel is increasing, with baby boomers aging and requiring more accommodations, creating a business case for prioritizing accessibility.
🔧 Affordable Solutions for Accessibility – Simple and cost-effective modifications, such as adding shower chairs and adjusting door mechanisms, can significantly improve the guest experience for individuals with disabilities.
🎓 Staff Training & Hospitality Mindset – Proper training for hotel staff on accessibility issues is crucial in ensuring a welcoming environment, with examples of how small gestures and proactive communication can enhance guest experiences.

🔢 Insights Based on Numbers

26% of the population has a disability, but the figure drops to 15% when excluding minor impairments.
In 2019, 12.7 million travelers with disabilities took 81 million trips, spending $58.7 billion.
Baby boomers are aging, with 40% identifying as having a disability by age 65, increasing demand for accessible accommodations.
Insurance costs have risen by 256% since 2019, adding financial pressure on hotel operations.

Watch the full video here.

Presentation of the Month

March 10, 2025 by Eliana Satkin

Each year, the TravelAbility Summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, and disability advocates to explore emerging trends, challenges, and solutions in making travel more accessible for all. Last year’s summit included a panel of six influencers sharing their insights on how disabled content creators amplify authenticity in accessible destinations.

Check out the panel’s key takeaways below and click the YouTube link to rewatch the session. Want to learn more from disabled content creators? Don’t miss the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, happening at the beautiful Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, October 13-15, 2025. The event will feature more panels with disability influencers, as well as exciting networking opportunities, including influencer speed dating sessions. Learn more and register today at travelability.net.

Leveraging the Insight of Content Creators to Amplify Authenticity

📌 Summary

♿ Disability Representation: Creators discuss their experiences growing up with disabilities, the challenges they faced, and how they now use their platforms to educate and inspire others.
✈️ Accessible Travel Challenges: Issues such as lack of accessible infrastructure, untrained staff, and misinformation on accessibility are highlighted as major barriers.
📱 Social Media and Awareness: Creators emphasize how social media plays a crucial role in spreading awareness, breaking stigmas, and educating people about disabilities.
📊 Audience Demographics: The panelists describe the diversity of their followers, ranging from individuals with disabilities to those seeking to learn more about inclusivity.
💡 Solutions for Accessibility: Suggestions include better staff training, clearer accessibility information online, and greater empathy from businesses.
🤝 Collaborating with Destinations: Content creators outline how they work with travel destinations to promote accessibility, including creating blog posts, social media content, and consulting on accessibility improvements.
📈 Impact of Authenticity: The importance of genuine representation and transparency when showcasing accessibility is emphasized, as misleading portrayals can be harmful.
⚠️ Handling Negative Experiences: Panelists discuss how they manage situations when accessibility falls short, advocating for constructive feedback and open dialogue.

🔢 Insights Based on Numbers

80% of blind people are unemployed, highlighting the need for workplace inclusivity.
A viral TikTok video with 25 million views showed the global interest in disability representation.
Many influencers have traveled to 40+ countries, demonstrating the demand for accessible travel.

Follow these Creators on Socials!

Alex Stratikis (Autism Adventures)

Instagram: @autismadventuresabroad

Facebook: @AutismAdventuresAbroad

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ns7/

Chelsea Bear

Instagram: @realchelseabear

Facebook: @realchelseabear

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseabear/

Jessica Ping (The Rolling Explorer)

Instagram: @therollingexplorer

Facebook: @therollingexplorer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajordanping/

Sassy Wyatt (Blind Girl Adventures)

Instagram: @sassywyattofficial

Facebook: @SassyWyattOfficial

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sass-wyatt-08ba46111/

Houston Vandergriff (Downs and Towns LLC.)

Instagram: @downsandtowns

Facebook: @downsandtowns/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/downs-and-towns-houston-vandergriff/