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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

universal design

From TravelAbility Summit 7.0: Preparing for the Silver Tsunami of Aging Travelers

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The 2025 TravelAbility Summit dove right into the heart of the issue of Vision 2030: future proofing destinations by preparing for the aging traveler. A team of AARP experts, including Patty David, Lona Choi-Allum, Cassandra Burton, Elaine Friesen-Strang, Helena Kesch, and Laura Skufca presented research and insights for moving forward.

“We are aging quickly. This isn’t a trend that will change—it’s our future.”

Elaine Friesen-Strang
TravelAbility Tampa 2026 Summit graphic featuring friends, one a wheelchair user, gathered around a waterfront table, with event dates November 9 to 11 in Tampa, Florida.

The conversation will dive deeper this fall

Join us November 9–11, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, for the 2026 TravelAbility Summit. It’s where destinations, venues, and travel brands come together to advance accessibility in a practical, business-smart way. Over two days of case studies, workshops, and peer learning, industry leaders share proven strategies that improve the travel experience for people with disabilities—and, by extension, for families, multigenerational groups, and travelers with temporary or situational limitations. Meet the advisors, suppliers, and destination teams leading the way, and leave with a roadmap you can put to work immediately.

Register Today

Three women smile at an AARP-branded conference table displaying travel giveaways, a globe, and welcome signage for the "Wanderlust Adventure" activity at the TravelAbility Summit.

Session Overview

This AARP-led session explored how destinations and organizations can better serve aging travelers and adults with disabilities. Using data from AARP’s 2025 Travel Trends Study, the discussion blended research insights with lived experiences, highlighting that as travelers age, they remain active, adventurous, and eager to explore—yet continue to face barriers in access, information, and design.

Key Insights

  • Older adults are traveling more: 70% of adults 50+ expect to travel in 2025; international travel interest is up to 45%.
  • Top barriers: Cost, health concerns, and accessibility limitations remain primary challenges.
  • Health benefits: 95% say travel improves mental health; 85% cite physical health benefits.
  • Accessibility needs: 1 in 6 travelers 50+ require accommodations; mobility is the most common.
  • Design evolution: Oregon State Parks integrates universal design—including single-user restrooms, adult changing tables, and accessible cabins—to welcome all visitors.
  • Hidden disabilities: Many older travelers experience access needs but do not identify as having a disability.
    Information gaps: Accurate, human-centered communication remains key—technology can assist but should not replace personal service.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Invest in universal design: Build restrooms, trails, and facilities for users of all ages and abilities.
  • Prioritize clear communication: Offer accessible, human-assisted check-in and print options alongside digital tools.
  • Train frontline staff: Focus on empathy, patience, and awareness of visible and invisible disabilities.
  • Promote partnerships: DMOs, parks, and community organizations should collaborate to expand access and outreach.
  • Plan for aging demographics: By 2030, older travelers will outnumber younger ones in many states—plan experiences with them in mind.

Notable Quotes

  • “We are aging quickly. This isn’t a trend that will change—it’s our future.” — Elaine Friesen-Strang
  • “Accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. Universal design means meeting people where they are.” — Helena Kesch
  • “Even though cost and health are barriers, older adults will keep traveling—to airports, destinations, and beyond.” — Lorna Choi-Allum
  • “Don’t rush to over-tech things. The human connection is what we need.” — Elaine Friesen-Stran

Visit Fort Wayne’s Accessibility Maps Let You Know Before You Go

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Planning an accessible trip often comes down to one deceptively simple question: What will I find when I get there?

Will there be an accessible entrance? What about parking? Is there a quiet space? Are there features for visitors who are blind or have low vision? What can someone with sensory or cognitive needs expect?

Visit Fort Wayne is making those questions a whole lot easier to answer.

In honor of Disability Pride Month in July, Visit Fort Wayne launched a collection of new accessibility maps designed to help visitors and residents navigate Fort Wayne and Allen County with greater confidence. Rather than leaving guests to track down accessibility information one venue at a time, the maps put important details in one place and make those features easy to identify.

Rather than leaving guests to track down accessibility information one venue at a time, the maps put important details in one place and make those features easy to identify.

Accessibility You Can See Before You Arrive

The new maps use easy-to-understand icons to identify accessibility features across several different areas of access, including mobility, hearing, vision, sensory, and cognitive needs.

A wheelchair user may need to know about accessible entrances and routes. A visitor who is Deaf or hard of hearing may be looking for completely different information. Someone with sensory sensitivities may want to know what environments to expect before committing to an attraction.

The maps are designed to give visitors a better sense of those details ahead of time, helping families, individuals, and groups make decisions based on their own needs.

16 Places, One Easier Way to Plan

The accessibility maps are currently available for 16 Fort Wayne-area attractions and venues, including some of the destination’s most popular places to visit.

The maps are available online, so visitors can pull them up from a phone, tablet, or computer while planning a trip. Printed copies are also available at the Fort Wayne Visitors Center.

This Is What Better Accessibility Planning Looks Like

This is a practical tool that’s going to benefit tourists, residents, and the DMO. The ability to plan ahead is a gift of confidence that enables people with disabilities to go. Information is the biggest gap in accessibility–and this is a powerful bridge. In the visitor experience, a DMO partner collaboration like this translates into the difference between going or staying home. Physical access matters, but it means little when no one knows about it.

Visit Fort Wayne’s new maps are part of the destination’s broader commitment to accessibility and Universal Design, and the project was made possible with support from Greater Fort Wayne’s Leadership Fort Wayne Program and the WindSwell Foundation.

Check out what this kind of welcome looks like at VisitFortWayne.com/Accessibility/Maps

Fort Wayne Zoo accessibility map with a color-coded legend for ADA ramps, restrooms, seating, wide aisles, and elevators, plus icon symbols marking sensory features like loud noises, strong smells, and quiet areas throughout the park layout.

Beyond Sight: How Red Sea Global Is Designing Inclusive Experiences for Blind Travelers 

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Red Sea Global (RSG) is the developer behind The Red Sea and AMAALA, two major tourism projects in Saudi Arabia being built with a focus on responsible and mindful tourism. Since announcing its accessibility commitment in 2023, RSG has been working to incorporate inclusive design across the guest experience, from transportation and accommodations to activities, experiences, and excursions.

In a recent experience, Red Sea Global welcomed five travelers who are blind or have visual impairments to The Red Sea for a destination visit focused on exploring how the environment can be experienced beyond sight. Through sensory tours, guided experiences, storytelling, cultural activities, and personal connections, the team brought the destination to life in new ways while gathering valuable feedback directly from travelers.

Watch the video below and read the full article for an in-depth look at how Red Sea Global is creating more inclusive experiences and welcoming blind travelers to explore the destination in new ways.

Experiencing The Red Sea Beyond Sight | Red Sea Global

The first impression of a destination is not always visual. For Noura and her niece Sadeem, it began with a description.

Inside the welcome center at Red Sea International Airport hangs a large spiral sculpture. It shifts constantly, its colors changing in response to wind and ocean data. A member of Red Sea International Airport’s welcome team described its movement, its scale, and its connection to the surrounding environment, painting a vivid picture through words.

This moment set the tone for all that followed.

Red Sea Global recently welcomed five guests with visual impairments, most of them blind, to The Red Sea destination for a four-day visit shaped around experience, exploration, and connection. Abdulaziz, Raneem, Noura, Mohammed, and Mansour arrived with their companions and joined us at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea. Two of the guests joined through our ongoing collaboration with Team Saudio, reflecting a broader effort to help shape more inclusive tourism and sporting experiences across our destinations.

Their visit formed part of our ongoing commitment to ensure our accessibility offering is as comprehensive and meaningful as possible, reflecting our belief that travel should be inclusive of everyone.

This commitment has been part of our approach from the beginning. Accessibility has not been treated as an after-thought, but as a design principle that influences the full guest journey, from arrival and transportation to experiences, public spaces, and the natural environment itself.

“Accessibility isn’t just about the facilities. It’s about being able to experience the destination in the same way as everyone else. We are committed to creating memories and experiences for people with disabilities that are equitable and inclusive across our resorts.  For these particular activities we wanted to explore how senses other than sight can enhance and enrich an experience. The most important thing is looking at the whole journey – from arrival to the beach, to restaurants, to activities. Every part of that experience needs to work.”

Mark Dyer, Associate Director for Accessibility, Destination Development at Red Sea Global.

Six Senses Southern Dunes, nestled among desert landscapes, was designed to connect guests to nature, culture, and wellbeing. From the moment of arrival, the focus was on creating an environment where guests could move comfortably and confidently through each space.

After settling in, the group gathered at the resort’s cookery school for a hands-on culinary experience led by Saudi chef Afnan Alhawsawi. With Ramadan approaching, the menu reflected familiar traditions. The sounds of preparation filled the space as ingredients were chopped, folded, and shaped.

For Abdulaziz, Mansour, and Mohammed, the evening took an unexpected turn. All three are skilled musicians, with Mansour making it his profession, and as dinner unfolded at Al Sarab Restaurant, they found their way to the instruments. Mansour at the piano, Mohammed at the keyboard, and Abdulaziz singing. Their performance moved effortlessly between Arabic and Western classics, culminating in a powerful rendition of Fly Me To The Moon.

The following morning, the desert became the setting. 

Read More

Cruise, the GM-backed Autonomous Car Maker, Forms Accessibility Council

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Michele Lee in a wheelchair looking into the Cruise Origin Mobility (Photo credit: Cruise]

Self-driving cars are the zenith of accessibility according to Cruise, the San Francisco-based and GM-backed autonomous car company. Fully autonomous cars are a game-changer says Michelle Lee, the company’s senior public affairs manager.

“It’s going to enable independence,“ Lee said. “It’s going to enable freedom to move about as you want and live your life. I am so excited for the day that Origin Mobility is on the streets. I dream of it honestly—I have to always rely on somebody to drive me, or a bus driver, a train conductor, Uber driver, Lyft driver, or taxi driver. [With autonomous cars], I’m not always relying on someone. I want to go places and I want to do things. I know I’m not alone in that. People with disabilities want to live life..”

Lee came to Cruise as a disability advocate and echoes the refrain “nothing about us, without us.” That belief led to the recent formation of the Accessibility Council, “a cross-disability group of leaders and advocates who will provide external, independent input on Cruise’s product, programs, and approach to accessibility.” The Accessibility Council comprises seventeen people representing various disability organizations, including the National Federation of the Blind, the United Spinal Association, and the National Association of the Deaf. Read more.

Our Takeaway: The independence afforded by the promise of fully-autonomous cars may well be a game changer for many people with disabilities. So too is Cruise’s formation of a cross-disability council, provided the group has genuine influence on the design of the vehicles.

5 Accessible Design Changes Most DMOs Don’t Think About (but should)

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group of adults some using a wheelchair some using a cane talk in the center of a large lobby

Before writer Brad McCannell explains five architectural changes that work for everyone, he points out his pet peeve. That would be when someone he is meeting with about building accessibility says, ‘I’m already accessible because my building meets code’. His story focuses on making meaningful changes to buildings. Read his full post, here.

OUR TAKE: A few facts to keep in mind when planning accessibility design in the age of concurrent pandemics, wildfires, tornadoes, and murderous hornet invasions. First, you’d best have an emergency plan for everyone, including people with disabilities. (The ADA law doesn’t stipulate that you must.)  Second, implementing a design that’s accessible for all should not only about wheelchair access. Second, according to the Centers for Disease Control, while it’s true that 13.7% of people with disabilities use a wheelchair. It’s on you to think about agility, hearing, vision, and cognition, too. Roughly 30 million Americans said they had difficulty climbing stairs or used a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker according to the last nationwide census.

To read more on this topic, visit our archive of disability advocates, here.

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