Written by John Morris, WheelChairTravel.org, November 24, 2024
Since 2018 or 2019 (time flies!), I have served on the advisory board of the TravelAbility Summit — it is an annual event that brings together accessible travel experts, tourism leaders, and destination marketing organizations to tackle big questions about accessible travel resources, training and marketing.
It’s important to note that this is not a conversation about infrastructure — the people attending this summit don’t control the pursestrings of state or local governments, so they won’t deliver better public transportation, paratransit or sidewalks. What they can do is teach local businesses about the importance of accessibility, and to develop resources for disabled visitors. This is work that I have been engaged with for years, and I am always excited to connect with destinations interested in advancing accessibility. This year was no exception!
I was delighted to reconnect with past clients, including Toni Bastian from Richmond Region Tourism (check out my Richmond, Virginia Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide) and Jessa Campbell and Kendall Likes from Visit Fort Wayne (check out the Fort Wayne, Indiana Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide). These were two of my favorite destinations to work with in 2024, and I look forward to visiting those cities again in the future!
I am a regular speaker at the summit, and this year I was most proud to headline a session entitled “From Paris to LA: Insights on Helping Los Angeles Win Accessible Gold in 2028.” I reflected on the lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, some of which I discussed in my August 10, 2024 newsletter. It was an engaging conversation, and I look forward to the influx of disabled tourists who will visit the United States in the Summer of 2028. While the Olympic and Paralympic Games will surely be the main draw, those foreign visitors will also explore other destinations in California and across the country during their time here. It is important that we work to make out communities welcoming to everyone, and I look forward to working with destinations both small and large to build a more accessible and inclusive tourism product offering.
Next week, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I will be participating in a webinar with LA Tourism to discuss preparations for the 2028 Games, where I will offer insights to help businesses and travel providers position themselves to welcome visitors with disabilities. The work is beginning!
Does the game goes to African country’s.