by Amy Gendreau, RDPFS Intern:
Approximately “61 million Americans …live with a disability, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and as Baby Boomers continue to age, that number will grow substantially.” The travel industry has increasingly taken steps to be more inclusive of people with vision loss, as well as mobility, hearing, autism, and other disabilities. Accessibility and accommodations are becoming more common as standard options for travelers. Some of these options are especially relevant to those who are blind or have low vision. Examples include:
– Some airports offer free access to the Aira navigation app, offering wayfinding assistance to people who are visually impaired through their smartphone camera.
– Individual airlines have introduced features geared to the travel needs of people with vision loss. As noted in a previous Bulletin, United Airlines has introduced braille markings within its aircraft interiors. A number of airline websites feature information on services for passengers with disabilities, including some that specifically outline offerings for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Examples of webpages featuring such offerings are included in a Bulletin article on Tips for Air Travelers with Vision Impairments.
– Websites geared to travelers with vision and other disabilities have emerged. One of these, Responsible Travel, offers accessible Vacations for Blind and Partially Sighted Travelers. As another example, Travel Eyes vacations are “designed to be shared by independent vision impaired and fully sighted people travelling together.” Another option, Accessible Go, is exclusively dedicated to the travel needs of people with disabilities. Searching by disability type and accommodation requirements, it includes such areas as chat forums and travel tips.
Additional suggestions are included in the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Travel Resources, with general information and examples of travel services, and on the Accessible Travel Press webpage featuring Tips and Tours for Blind Travelers. For an overview of travel industry initiatives, read the Travel Weekly article on The State of Accessible Travel.
