The World is Accessible - Public Page

29/01/2025

A little late on this one but worth sharing the news for all those that didn't hear about this yet: https://theworldisaccessible.com/delight-in-the-sky-emirates-journey-toward-autism-certification/

Emirates is leading the way when it comes to neurodivergent-friendly flight experiences!

Delight in the Sky: Emirates’ Journey Toward Autism Certification Emirates is setting a new benchmark for accessible travel as it works to become the first Autism Certified Airline, partnering with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This move aims...

15/01/2025

Content shaped by none other than you guys! Part one of our new “Travel Hacks for an Accessible Adventure” series can be found below, with part two over on the tabifolk website (link in the comments).

Do you have any extra tips or golden nuggets of advice that you’d recommend we added to the list?

14 Travel Hacks for an Accessible Adventure (a Two-Part Series) Table of Contents The article that you’re about to read has been split into two sections. The first section is shared here, on theworldisaccessible.com, with the second section to be found by heading to either tabifolk.com or by downl...

09/01/2025

Hey, !

Some of you who are subscribed to the newsletter may have already seen this post, however, for those who are not, I recently wrote a blog about my trip to Florianópolis and how mishap after mishap, has slowly changed my opinion on how it is that I like to travel. Gone are the days of winging it and figuring things out after I've arrived.

Traveling with a disability is challenging, as many of you guys will be all too aware of. But I guess I'm only just coming to terms with the reality of it all now that I'm in my 30s and not quite as mobile as I once was!

What do you struggle with the most when traveling? And how much planning do you tend to do before setting off?

From hellish traffic to access complications due to overcrowding, this trip to the capital of Santa Catarina really made us rethink how we travel as a family with a wheelchair user!

23/12/2024

Great details from Vilber's adaptive! Be sure to check out there products at www.vilbers.com

Members of the TWIA community can get a 30 Euros discount on all winter clothing items until December 31st when they use discount code "WIA" at checkout.

19/12/2024

As we gear up for another wonderfully insightful installment in The ADA Nerd's Tips and Tricks for Traveling with a Wheelchair series, featured in tomorrow's newsletter, take a moment to revisit her incredible advice shared so far!

The ADA Nerd starts us off on a journey towards finding out all the very best tips and tricks for traveling with a wheelchair!

17/12/2024

Did you guys see the news? The United States Department of Transportation has announced groundbreaking protections for airline passengers with disabilities!! This is BIG!

https://theworldisaccessible.com/dots-new-protections-for-airline-passengers-with-disabilities-what-you-need-to-know/

DOT’s New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities: What You Need to Know The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced groundbreaking protections for airline passengers with disabilities, marking the most significant expansion of rights for this group in decades. Led by Tr...

11/12/2024

03/12/2024

When I sat down at my desk this morning, I sighed and thought, "How do I possibly fit everything I want to say about today into just one post?"

Today, as you may already know, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day for reflection, celebration, and amplifying voices within the disability community. You’ll see brands and individuals sharing posts about what this day means to them, and I think that’s wonderful. But as I started to write, I quickly realized that what I wanted to say couldn’t be contained in a single post—or even a single article. So instead, I let my thoughts flow, capturing just the beginnings of a conversation I hope to expand on in the future.

This year’s theme—“Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”—reminds us of the incredible power of leadership within our community. In my post, I touch on the progress we’ve made, the challenges that remain, and the importance of recognizing the leaders driving change.

I also celebrate some truly inspiring individuals, like Cristina Căluianu, Josh Grisdale, Anette Parviste, and Sharol Avento Signorelli, alongside the incredible Sinead Burke and the late, great, powerful Judy Heumann. Judy, in particular, deserves the gratitude of not just the disabled community in the USA but around the world for her lifelong fight for disability rights.

This day is about so much more than recognition—it’s about fostering (and continuing) meaningful conversations about accessibility, inclusion, and leadership. Let’s celebrate today, yes—but let’s carry that energy forward through all 364 days to come.

Wishing you all a reflective, empowering, and joyful International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 💙

- Anthony

Celebrating Leaders and Trailblazers on International Day of Persons with Disabilities “International Day of….” Three simple words that precede a vast array of topics and demographics, each enjoying its moment of recognition and celebration. Some of these days verge on the silly or trivial, li...

03/12/2024

Here's something I'd love to see more of... accessible travel with a focus on affordability. All too often accessible = pricey, and that sucks! In this piece on Nine.com.au, Sheree Strange lists some of Australia's top accessible tourist activities that won't break the bank:

Australia is a big country, and exploring all of it can feel overwhelming if you're on a tight budget. Luck...

27/11/2024

This is how you advocate! Wow. Talk about saying it how it is and not sugarcoating. Amazing stuff, Shane Hryhorec (Wheel Around The World).

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1VpbyrycR9/

16/11/2024

I wanted to share a little anecdote from yesterday that left my wife and me feeling all the feels. It’s about our 5-year-old autistic daughter and a beautiful moment at the birthday party of one of her classmates, who was turning six. The party was held at an accessible bakery with a big indoor play area for the kids and plenty of seating for adults to keep an eye on things.

We’d picked out a Disney Frozen book as a gift, complete with a large table-top map and figurines. Our daughter was thrilled about giving it, especially since she loves Frozen too.

After arriving, our daughter played solo and with her classmates for a while, but she eventually became agitated. Her frustration turned into tears, and we were bracing ourselves for what could have escalated into a meltdown. For those familiar with autism, you’ll know that during these moments, even if a child hears you, they often struggle to process what’s being said. In these instances, we’ve found it’s best to stay calm, offer supportive words, and give her space to regulate her emotions.

But before things could spiral, the birthday girl herself came over and gently asked my wife, “What’s wrong?” My wife explained that our daughter was upset because she wanted to play with her and the Frozen figurines.

I should pause to emphasize that the party was lively and chaotic — kids climbing, playing games, throwing plastic balls everywhere. It would have been perfectly understandable for the birthday girl to say, “Maybe later?” But she didn’t.

“Oh, okay then. Let’s do that!” she said. She sat down with my wife, opened the gift, laid out the map, and started playing with our daughter. Slowly, the tears dried, and our daughter fully immersed herself in the game.

Why am I sharing this? Because what we witnessed was allyship in its purest form. On a day meant to be all about her, this young girl showed such compassion and care for our daughter, helping her feel safe and included.

As my wife watched them play, her bottom lip quivered. When I asked if she’d told the girl’s father how amazing his daughter was, she admitted she couldn’t — her tears would ruin her makeup! Don’t worry, though; we’ll make sure he knows.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about allyship, especially through my work with Zamonos.com. In writing for their newsletter and crafting campaigns centered on this topic, I’ve become more attuned to recognizing these moments for what they truly are: allyship in action. Seeing a six-year-old embody such empathy and understanding helped me realize how much we can learn from children like her.

We need more allies like this, and I know so many of you in this community already embody that spirit. Thank you for letting me share this story — it feels good to celebrate moments of kindness together.

15/11/2024

We have added another brilliant accessible rental property to our website. This villa in Cape Coral backs onto a canal, with direct access to the Gulf. The property sleeps 6, with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. There’s a roll-in shower, grab rales, widened door frames, plenty of clearance space around the beds, and a lift into their amazing spa pool!

For more information, or to click through to their booking site, check out their dedicated page on our website (which will be routinely updated): https://theworldisaccessible.com/accessible-villa-in-cape-coral/

[Image Description: A backyard setup at night featuring a lit pool with a gentle blue glow. There's an outdoor projector screen on the left showing a vibrant image, adding ambiance to the scene. Overhead, red triangular sunshades are strung between posts. Soft yellow lighting illuminates the patio area and adds a warm atmosphere. A few people are seen near the pool and around the seating area, enjoying the space. Trees frame the edges, and the sky is a dark blue, indicating twilight or early night.]

14/11/2024

We need more of this! 👏

As someone who loves to cook but often feels demotivated by inaccessible kitchens, I find it amazing to see properties such as Villa Zafarraya, in Southern Spain, taking the time and making the effort to ensure that their property works for everybody.

Find out more on our website: https://theworldisaccessible.com/villa-zafarraya/

[Video Description: A lady is sitting in her wheelchair with a back to the camera, pressing a button on the underside of a kitchen bench which then lowers the bench and the hob to a position that is more comfortable for her to use.]

13/11/2024

Hey , this should be awesome!!

Posting on behalf of tabifolk. At 3pm CDT, Danielle Connolly will sit down for a live webinar with Sharon Newhwardt, Director of Inclusion and Culture at Morgan's.

For those who don’t know, Morgan’s is a U.S.-based nonprofit creating Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive experiences. From Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first all-access theme park, to Inspiration Island, a splash park with waterproof wheelchairs, and Morgan’s Sports, a facility for athletes of all abilities, they ensure everyone can experience the joy of play.

You can tune in by either heading to the tabifolk page, catching the live-stream here within our The World is Accessible group, heading to the tabifolk LinkedIn page, or by visiting their YouTybe channel: https://www.youtube.com/

Hey ! 🎉 Reminder: our next tabifolk talks is happening TOMORROW, and you don’t want to miss it! DanielleDanielle will be live with Sharon Newhardt from Morgan's, where accessibility meets fun and inclusion. 🌎✨

Join us Wednesday, November 13th, at 3:00 pm CDT to hear all about how Morgan's creates joyful, inclusive experiences for everyone. They’re the visionaries behind Morgan's Wonderland—the world’s first theme park designed for people with special needs—and Morgan's Inspiration Island, an ultra-accessible splash park. It’s all about bringing people together, no matter their abilities.

Tune in on Facebook, The World is Accessible Facebook group, LinkedIn, and our YouTube channel! Subscribe to our YouTube and click the notifications bell so you never miss these inspiring events. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/

[Image Description: The promotional graphic is designed with the tabifolk and Morgan's logos, and a central title that reads, "LIVE 'TABIFOLK TALKS' WEBINAR." The date and time are displayed as "WEDS, NOV 13TH, 3.00 PM CDT." The background shows a Ferris wheel at sunset, with a circular cutout featuring a professional photo of Sharon Newhardt. Her title, "Director of Inclusion and Culture @ Morgan's," appears beneath her name. The design uses green and purple accents to align with the branding of tabifolk and Morgan's.]

12/11/2024

If you enjoy The World is Accessible and find value in our community, we’d love for you to consider joining our “Friends of TWIA” on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheWorldisAccessible. For just $3 per month (and you’re welcome to cancel anytime), you’ll help keep our twice-monthly newsletter running, cover hosting for our website, and maintain our domain. Plus, with your support, we’re aiming to eventually compensate the writers who share valuable insights with our community.

TO CLARIFY, your support is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL and will NEVER be mandatory, EVER.

As a thank you, we’ll be bringing some Patreon-exclusive perks to the table—think discounts, special offers, and bonus content just for our supporters.

We’re excited about where The World is Accessible is headed and are working toward creating a comprehensive, free resource for accessible hotels, destinations, and rental properties. Your support on Patreon would be a huge step toward making this happen, faster and better!

11/11/2024

Huge thanks to Kelly Mack for sharing her amazing piece on traveling through Rome on wheels! Read it here: https://theworldisaccessible.com/rome-on-wheels/


[Image Description: A cheerful couple, Kelly and her husband Richard, pose together inside the ancient Colosseum in Rome. Richard is standing beside Kelly, who is seated and smiling brightly. They are framed by the iconic stone arches and worn brick structures of the Colosseum, capturing the grandeur and history of the location. The weather is clear, adding warmth to the scene as sunlight illuminates the couple and the Colosseum's detailed architecture.]

08/11/2024

Dear ,

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Kristin Secor, one of our most inspiring allies in the accessible travel community. Through her World on Wheels blog, Kristin provided invaluable insights and made a profound difference, empowering countless travelers to experience the world regardless of their mobility needs. Only a day before her passing, we were in conversation about her upcoming accessible travel summit, where I and several members of our community were honored to join as speakers.

Please join me in extending heartfelt condolences to Kristin’s family and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Rest peacefully, Kristin.

View Kristin M Secor's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.