Travel By Design: Accessible

“I am conscious of a soul-sense that lifts me above the narrow, cramping circumstances of my life. My physical limitations are forgotten- my world lies upward, the length and the breadth and the sweep of the heavens are mine!”
― Helen Keller
Accessible Travel is the new travel segment that has given hopes to many travel aspirants facing limitations due to some form of disability. The idea behind accessible travel is inclusive travel. Travel is a luxury that should be afforded to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status, physical limitations or age. Many tourism boards and travel suppliers around the world are working to create barrier-free destinations, attractions and activities, transportation and other services for travelers of all abilities.
It has now become imperative from social and economic perspective to ensure such tourism infrastructure that is accessible to all. People with disabilities as well as aged people are more than willing to enjoy the accessible travel experiences and explore beautiful destinations across the world.
Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management for Oregon and Washington

Experiencing the World as a Blind Traveler
Meet Dale Reardon, a blind traveler from Australia who has not let his disability limit his love for exploring the world. Read more
The World Accessible
How Budapest’s Cafe Culture is Lifting Social Stigmas
By Tara TadlockHungary, and Budapest more specifically, was once known for its mistreatment of those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Read more
Europe Accessible Food & Drink Social Responsibility
Traveling the world in a powered wheelchair
At the age of two, Cory was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy. Because this disease is progressive it has served as a catalyst for Cory to see as much of the world as he can. Read more
The World Accessible
An African School for the Deaf
By Breana JohnsonThere are only two schools exclusively for the Deaf in Burundi (the other, also founded by my husband’s family, is five hours away). Without the chance to go to school and learn sign language, these kids would never have the chance to learn any language at all, a situation that … Read more Read more
Africa Accessible Experiences
5 Places to See Dinosaur Fossils in the U.S.
By Breana JohnsonOn your next trip, bring natural history to life with a dinosaur encounter! The U.S. offers many attractions where you can view dinosaur fossils—or even participate in a dino dig. Read more
United States Accessible Experiences History
6 Top and Emerging Accessible Destinations
By Ali JenningsAs the world is becoming more aware of those that live with disabilities, it isn’t surprising that countries around the globe are working hard to make their cities more accessible for travelers and residents. Read more
The World Accessible
Bringing Mobility and Hope to the Philippines
By Jessica BarrettCreating 19 prosthetic limbs for 13 children in under a week might seem like a daunting task, but Robert Schulman has never shied away from a challenge. The certified prosthetist and founder of US-based nonprofit Limb Kind Foundation arrived in Davao City, Philippines in September with a team of 11 … Read more Read more
Asia Accessible Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Traveling with a Disability: An Archeologist’s Experience
By Breana JohnsonSand and summits may present challenges to people with physical disabilities, but exploring the globe is still an important (and enjoyable) part of life. Read more
The World Accessible Experiences
Traveling with Hidden Disability
What’s is like traveling with a hidden disability? Read more
The World Accessible
Traveling Insights from a deaf Traveler
Have you ever thought what it would feel like to travel the world in silence? Read more
The World Accessible Insights
Deaf Actress Slams Delta For Not Offering Closed Captioning With In-Flight Accessibility
Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress and activist, is bringing to light the challenges of Delta Air Lines in-flight accessibility. Marlee Matlin, the star of Switched at Birth, used Twitter to call the airline out for its lack of a closed-captioning system with its in-flight entertainment system. Matlin wrote she was … Read more Read more
Accessible
Initial reflections on Brazil
We heard many things about Rio de Janeiro before traveling to the country of Brazil for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Some things we heard were not positive so we were determined to explore the city upon arrival and form opinion. This short reflection segment offers our initial impressions. Rio … Read more Read more
Central and South America Accessible Sports Events & Festivals
Spain leads the way in Accessible Tourism initiatives
There are lots of things that will make a city and its particular holidaymaker destinations available to people with physical disabilities. First of all factor is really a barrier free airport and transport system that is certainly suitable for people who have movement disabilities. In pursuit of advertising accessible tourism, … Read more Read more
Europe Accessible
Sochi beyond the Paralympics
The country of Russia celebrated a very successful Olympic and Paralympic Games and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Sochi. For us, the Paralympic Games were transformative. We saw many examples of courage, strength, humanity and the belief that all things are possible, especially in the face of great adversity. For a … Read more Read more
Russia Accessible Sports Literature & Music
Exciting Travel Events!
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel’n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. This week, Craig Kennedy, co-founder of Access Anything, a nationally recognized leader in adaptive sports and adventure travel for people with disabilities, will join the show to talk … Read more Read more
North America Accessible Adventure Sports