Written by Kristy Durso, Facebook Post, April 12, 2023
I had a wonderful time speaking with Emma Weissmann.
The travel industry needs to move forward. We must move forward.
With accessible travel giants like TourismForAll, Wheel the World, Accessible Travel Solutions, and Fred Maahs, Jr. , I know we can get there.
If your response to the need to be accessible is that you don’t have very many visitors with disabilities, you should be asking why not.
Scenario A – you don’t have clients with disabilities because you have not invited them. What I mean by that is you have no information on the accessibility of your business online, your accessible pathways are not the same as for everyone else, and you don’t have anyone with a disability in your marketing.
People like to know what they’re getting. A person without a disability looks for certain things they need/want when they’re traveling. Quality mattresses, room service, a tub not a shower or visa versa, high floor… all of those preferences are easily found. To make it an EQUITABLE experience, meaning that we can find the information we need to confidently book what we need, we need different information. How hi is the bed? What is the shower configuration? Do the doors have buttons to open them? Are we able to get a quiet area away from the house? Do you have kits for the hearing impaired? Do you have accommodations to assist people who are blind or low vision?
Scenario 2 – you have clients with disabilities, you just don’t know it. The reason you don’t know it is because they have learned the answer is usually no when they ask for an accommodation, and it is no longer worth the effort to ask or complain about accessibility.
I was told once that if their resorts added an accessible room category instead of it being on request, it be booked all the time. My friends, THAT IS THE POINT!!!!!! Promote your accessibility, and watch your business grow.
Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility, knew very little about accessible travel, but people kept calling him about accessible tourism, so he started to research it. He saw the profound need for better information for travelers with disabilities, and began working to create an organization that brings DMOs, tour suppliers, hoteliers, etc together to talk about the need to improve accessibility. He also sought out people with disabilities already trying to make a difference in accessible tourism. All destinations should be taking advantage of the resources on the TravelAbility (website: www.travelability.net) and you certainly should consider sending a representative from your business to attend the conference in the fall.
Accessibility benefits everyone. When it’s accessible for the person with the most needs, it’s accessible for all.
#accessibletravel #disabilitytravel #inclusion #accessibilitymatters #inclusionmatters #accessibletourism
#wheelchairtravel #wheelchairuser #neurodivergent #advocate #travelprofessional #touroperator