INFORMATIONAL

January 30, 2024

Making Travel More Accessible

There are countless stories of how things can go wrong while traveling with a disability, from lost or damaged wheelchairs to inaccessibility at hotels or on public transportation. But in this month’s Beyond Barriers (a monthly column in Conde Nast Traveller magazine dedicated to sharing the latest news and developments to help travelers with disabilities feel safe, secure and inspired to travel the world), columnist Sophie Morgan writes about a transformation taking place in accessible travel and features 14 people who have defied stereotypes and used their determination, creative thinking and advocacy to make the world more accessible and inclusive. Here are the highlights:

Maayan Ziv – Founder, AccessNow

Wheelchair user Maayan Ziv, an unstoppable activist named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, has been a trailblazer for inclusive travel for decades.

Alvaro Silberstein – Founder & CEO, Wheel The World

Dedicated traveler and wheelchair user Alvaro Silberstein co-founded Wheel The World, an online marketplace for people with disabilities to plan and book accessible trips.

Fred Maahs – Founder, Maahs Travels

Fred Maahs Jr, the visionary behind Maahs Travels, has earned widespread recognition for his unwavering dedication to enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Suzanne Edwards – Head of Hosting Accessibility Standards, Airbnb

Suzanne is the driving force behind the visionary Adapted category, with over a thousand accessible listings worldwide.

Michele Urwin – Founder, All Wheels Up

Faced with the complexities of wheelchair travel, Michele embarked on a mission to have wheelchairs crash-tested for commercial flights.

Richard Thompson – Co-Founder & CEO, Inclu

Following his own life-changing spinal injury, Richard co-founded IncluTravel, reigniting the travel ambitions of those who believed their journeys were over.

Sylvia Longmire – Founder, Spin the Globe

Silvia is an award-winning accessible travel writer, photographer, entrepreneur and disability rights advocate.

Cory Lee – Founder, Curb Free with Cory Lee Blog

Wheelchair user Cory Lee has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, and risen as one of the foremost travel bloggers focusing on accessibility.

Angus Drummond – Founder, Limitless Travel

Traveling through thirty-five countries with his wife, Angus observed the world’s lack of accessibility, so he founded Limitless, envisioning an inclusive world for Disabled travelers.

Amar Latif – Founder, Travel Eyes

This innovative company matches sighted guides with blind or visually impaired travelers, proving that sightseeing is an experience meant for all.

Neha Arora – Founder, PlanetAbled

Neha launched PlanetAbled in New Delhi, specializing in travel services for individuals with disabilities and seniors.

Matt Pierri – Founder & CEO, Sociability

He designed and built the mapping App, SociAbility. By demonstrating that accessible spaces attract more visitors, Matt aims to make accessibility the norm, fostering greater inclusion.

Chris Wood – Founder, Flying Disabled

As a proud dad of two wheelchair-using children, Chris is focused on enhancing air travel for wheelchair users, earning him an MBE for his contributions to Aviation Accessibility.

Agnes Abelsen – Founder, Travengers

Travengers was created to enable those with hidden disabilities a chance to connect and explore. Travengers organize social events as well as virtual and domestic tours.