Holistic accessibility consulting for travel and tourism
Recently I found that more and more flights have braille numbers above the seats. The first time I came across this in 2023 on an Air Canada flight. But I also read that United Airlines will outfit all their flights with braille seat numbers by the end of 2026.
Since then, I found these more often, last time a week ago when I was flying to Washington DC.
Leave a CommentLast year I had the honors to set up the accessibility committee for the Ohio Museums Association conference, which took place last weekend in Athens, Ohio. It is a conference that is not about accessibility, yet it values accessibility, and had an entire accessibility track among the presentations. Each time I work with OMA or take advantage of the services they provide, without an exception it comes across that it is there for all people, meeting their needs as much as possible.
2 CommentsFlight for Sight is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals who are blind or have low vision by offering $10,000 travel grants. These grants enable recipients to explore the world, engage with diverse communities, and educate others about blindness and low vision.
Leave a CommentI will never forget how much more freedom I experienced all of a sudden when I got my guide dog, Baldwin from guiding eyes for the Blind. That was approximately the time when Guiding Eyes started to train running guides. This means that a blind or visually impaired person can take up running as a sport and do it independently with a guide dog. The white cane is not for running, it is simply dangerous.
One could ask, why not just run with a regular guide dog? After all dogs enjoy running. This is why it is not possible: a guide dog by default is trained to recognize and avoid obstacles at a walking speed. When one would run with a guide dog, practically it would ask the dog to do something she has never been trained to do. It would be confusing for the dog and dangerous for the blind person. During the training program, Guiding Eyes does ask dog handlers not to run with their dogs while guiding, unless the dog has been specifically trained for that. By default, Guiding Eyes does not train running guides, but anybody can request one.
Leave a CommentThe other day I came across a new article about Travel Visions Aloha for the Blind, which is an organization providing adventures and experiences for blind people, at the moment primarily in Hawaii. Though there are some similar organizations around the world, definitely not too many, so I contacted the owner, Marri Murdoch to learn more about her organization.
Leave a CommentThis guide is intended to help you to buy thoughtful gifts for blind travelers, though most recommendations can just as easily be used at home.
I am personally familiar with all of the items I recommend, and use most of them on a regular basis.
Leave a CommentDrive-through ATMs with Braille buttons have long perplexed many, giving rise to questions, jokes, and urban legends. After all, blind individuals don’t drive, so why would there be Braille on machines explicitly designed for drivers? As it turns out, the presence of Braille is based on a combination of practical, legal, and manufacturing reasons. This article delves into the explanations behind this seemingly contradictory design choice.
Recently I have come across a program in Ohio, which may fundamentally change what it means to create accessible travel and tourism in a state. Accessible Ohio has the potential to impact accessible experiences for people with disabilities by educating and consulting with companies who would like to make their services more accessible and inclusive. Of course, such services existed before, but here the difference is that it is taken to the state level, and actually funds accessibility consultations. As I understand, such an initiative is unique in the United States.
Leave a CommentI was curious if ChatGPT has any ways to help with travel planning that I couldn’t do with any other tools, so I put it to the test. I tried a few things where I had challenges previously, and overall it was able to help me in two specific ways: finding more efficient ways to get to places, and finding more accessible activities.
3 CommentsI recently read a post on a mailing list from Eric Caron, who explained the difficulties of traveling with a guide dog to Scotland. He wrote about the days of travel arrangements, paperwork, and expenses. I asked Eric if he would be willing to share his story with you. I have to say I had my fair share of difficulties to arrange trips with Baldwin, but nothing like Eric had to go through.
Eric lives in Brattleboro VT near Massachusetts and New Hampshire. This is about a 2 hour drive from Boston. He lives there with his wife Heidi, current guide dog Becky, retired guide Ryan, an African Grey Parrot and a Tuxedo cat.
