Articles tagged “accessible travel”

As event audiences have expanded, planners must make sure their gatherings are accessible for all. Unfortunately, deafness, an invisible disability, is often neglected when planning events, a mistake.

Many travel companies want to foster a workforce where everyone, regardless of circumstances, can thrive. But many companies wonder how to go about doing this. The example of The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, South Carolina, suggests one path.

Inclusion is great, but let's keep in mind that there's more to disabled accommodations than providing a wheelchair. Catering to different types of disabilities makes good business sense.

The hotel industry is leaving a lot of money on the table by not providing travelers with accessibility needs the right tools to book a stay.

Mental health has long held a stigma cloud over it, but it's only by bringing it out of the darkness and into the forefront that change can happen. Meggie Tran aims to do just that and destigmatize traveling with a a mental illness. It's long overdue.

The high percentage of parents with autistic children not taking family vacations reflects the travel industry's inability to largely address the needs of autistic travelers. Thus many travel companies have missed out on a lucrative travel market because of their inaction.

Accessible travel shouldn't be something to be checked off a list. Instead, Marlene Valle says, it's a human right.

The pandemic has magnified the voices of accessibility organizations and the disparities for travelers with disabilities. Accessibility to travel and undamaged personal mobility aids are big concerns for these travelers who account for billions of dollars in revenue. Finally, the industry is trying to do the right thing, or so it seems.

Passengers traveling with wheelchairs are a billion-dollar industry often ignored by the airlines. Most passengers with disabilities plan trips with friends or family, with the determining factor being the ease of accessibility for wheelchairs. Trains and buses can accommodate. Airlines are long overdue.

They are among the most resilient travelers on the planet. But the pandemic is testing the mettle of travelers with disabilities — and the businesses that support them — in unique ways.