TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

TravelAbility Report: March 2019

If the Shoe Fits… Zappos Now Selling Single Shoes for Amputees

by

Shoe boxes on the shelves at a shoe store.

Online shoe retailer Zappos, which is owned by Amazon, is making it possible for customers to purchase a single sandal, sneaker or shoe, as well as mixed-size pairs. This will be a welcome development for amputees who wear prosthetic devices and people who may have differently sized feet. Six brands – BILLY Footwear, Converse, New Balance, Nike, PLAE and Stride Rite – will be available for single shoe purchases.

OUR TAKE:  This is a welcome development for amputees, who will no longer be forced to buy extra shoes for which there is no use. Now, if only salons and spas would get on board with this thinking to provide discounts to amputees on manicures and pedicures!

Read the full story.

Can Dogs Smell Covid-19 in Human Sweat?

by

Close-up photo of a brown dog's face.

Does sweat from someone infected with COVID-19 have a unique scent that dogs can detect? A new study from researchers at a veterinary school outside Paris trained 8 Belgian Malinois shepherds to identify the smell of COVID-19 in the sweat of infected persons. They later presented those same dogs with a number of samples. The dogs correctly identified an average of 95% of samples.

OUR TAKE: With a vaccine likely months away and with rapid testing still difficult to come by, training dogs to sniff out infected individuals could be one tool used by airlines or destinations to create an extra layer of security at low cost.

Read the full story.

Ahead of the Curve: 5 DMOs with Landing Pages for Disabled Travelers

by

One of the key priorities for TravelAbility Summit is to promote the adoption of accessible landing pages, where destinations can communicate with disabled travelers and provide information to help them explore the local area. Landing pages are the best and most cost-effective way to provide accessible travel information. Resources included on these web pages can be used not only by visitors, but also by members of the local community who may have a disability or who have a family member or friend with a disability.

Here are 5 DMOs that have started this journey, and what we like most about their accessible landing pages.

Destination BC

Screenshot of Destination British Columbia website.

What we like about this site: This is an industry CMS site where over 5,000 tourism businesses have an opportunity to input information about their products and services, making it possible for the Province to promote them to numerous audiences. So far, 400 businesses have entered their accessible information and the province is committed to accessibility for all as one of their values. 

Visit Indy

Screenshot of Visit Indy website.

What we like about this site: They began by adhering to the “Nothing about us without us” mantra by bringing together local disability organizations for input and feedback.  The site not only features visual presentation of accessible attractions but links to additional information and tips. It also includes resources like transportation options, special needs travel agents, etc.

I Love NY Accessibility Guide

Screenshot of I Love NY website.

What we like about this site: The website is filled with robust features and a sortable database of nearly 100 accessible attractions, although the accessibility section is buried in the planning tab.

Accessible Valley Forge

Screenshot of Valley Forge DMO website.

What we like about this site: The accessible landing page provides information about accessible attractions and public transportation, as well as links to local news stories of interest to the disability community.

Accessible Vancouver

Screenshot of Vancouver CVB website.

What we like about this site: The page is laid out well, with links to the information and resources that disabled travelers care about most: accessible transportation, accommodation and things to do.

Meet Houston Vandergriff: 48 States and 22 Countries with Down Syndrome

by

Houston Vandergriff standing with three female family members in front of a lake during the winter.
Credit: Katie Vandergriff/Instagram

A family chronicles their travel to 48 states and 22 countries through the brilliant photography of their son, who has Down Syndrome.

He’s got the eye of Picasso, the talents of a Hollywood super-star, and the heart of a kindergarten teacher. Meet Houston Vandergriff, a talented young man who also happens to have Down Syndrome. He expresses his passion for life in the arts. He’s a globe-trotting photographer, actor, performer, advocate, and sports enthusiast. Houston’s untarnished love for people shines easily through his Down Syndrome, touching people’s hearts in ways few others could.

Read the complete feature in the latest issue of Neuro Brilliant Magazine.

OUR TAKE: The TravelAbility slogan is All Means All, and Houston’s travels are proof-positive that the disabled travel market is wide and diverse. How is your organization preparing to welcome travelers like Houston and his family?

Accessible Travel or Inclusive Travel – What Should It Be?

by

Martin Heng wearing a dark grey sweater.
Martin Heng

Martin Heng, former Accessible Travel Manager for Lonely Planet, recently suggested that it is time to evolve our thinking on accessible tourism and to embrace accessibility as one element of inclusive tourism.

In an article for New Mobility Magazine, Heng argued that “using the term ‘accessible tourism’ limits not only the discussion, but also our chances of participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport.” Accessibility is not a one-size-fits-all feature and an accessible built environment alone should not be our goal. He says, “If this travel segment were described as ‘inclusive tourism,’ it would put the focus on making sure travel experiences are able to be enjoyed by as many people as possible (inclusion) rather than on the costly business of installing elevators, ramps and accessible toilets (access).”