ANN ARBOR, MI (August 21, 2025) — Destination Ann Arbor has been awarded the “All Ways Welcome” Award at the 2025 ESTO Conference, hosted by the U.S. Travel Association. This national honor recognizes the organization’s industry-leading efforts to make travel more inclusive for people with disabilities and highlights a multifaceted strategy that blends authentic storytelling, community partnerships and local business engagement.

The recognition celebrates Destination Ann Arbor’s holistic accessibility strategy, which began in 2024 with the launch of a destination-wide effort to empower travelers with physical, cognitive, and invisible disabilities. The initiative included:

· Influencer campaigns featuring disability advocates like Emma Bailey, Catarina Rivera (aka @BlindishLatina), and the St. Claire family (aka @LearnersAndMakers)

· Custom blog content and a new accessibility landing page with practical planning resources

· Paid social media and video campaigns highlighting real stories and accessible local experiences

· A co-branded partnership with Wheel the World that brought professional accessibility assessments to more than 50 local businesses

· Creation of an Accessibility Roundtable to identify future opportunities for inclusive tourism throughout Washtenaw County The initiative made the Ann Arbor area the first community in Michigan to achieve “Destination Verified” status for accessible travel from Wheel the World. Through this partnership, local businesses ranging from museums and hotels to theaters and attractions were evaluated on over 200 data points and added to Wheel the World’s global travel platform. Businesses also received free access to Wheel the World Academy, a training series that helps staff better understand and serve travelers with disabilities.

“At Destination Ann Arbor, accessibility isn’t just a campaign. It’s a deeply rooted, community-powered commitment to inclusive tourism,” said Sarah Miller, President & CEO of Destination Ann Arbor. “We’re honored to receive national recognition for our collaborative efforts with local partners and industry leaders, all working together to ensure the destination is a place where every traveler feels genuinely welcomed.”

“What Destination Ann Arbor has achieved is bigger than a designation—it’s a blueprint for the future of tourism,” said Arturo Gaona, Chief Partnerships Officer at Wheel the World. “By combining authentic storytelling, community leadership, and verified accessibility, Ann Arbor is showing the world how inclusivity drives both impact and innovation.”

A few highlights from participating businesses and their accessibility features include:

· Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: Offers sensory-friendly tools, ADA-compliant restrooms, and inclusive staff training as part of its “Access for All” initiative.

· Decode Escape Rooms (Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti): Features tactile puzzles, closed captioning, and adjustable lighting to accommodate guests’ needs.

· Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum: Provides free all-terrain wheelchairs for outdoor exploration.

· U-M Museum of Natural History: Offers sensory kits for visitors on the autism spectrum.

· Michigan & State Theaters: Available to coordinate sign language interpretation with advance notice.

· Local Hotels: All assessed hotels had at least one accessible room with a level-access shower; many also offer portable shower chairs upon request.

“The award is a testament to the local businesses, community leaders, and advocates who helped bring this vision to life,” said Mike Price, Executive Vice President at Destination Ann Arbor. “Together, we’re creating a more inclusive visitor experience and strengthening Washtenaw County’s reputation as a welcoming destination for all.”

To sustain this momentum, Destination Ann Arbor formed an Accessibility Roundtable with local advocates and industry partners. This advisory group will guide future initiatives, ensuring that accessibility remains a long-term priority woven into everything from marketing to operations.

As part of the announcement, Destination Ann Arbor is inviting more tourism-facing businesses to participate in the initiative. Participating businesses receive a free accessibility assessment, a verified listing on the Wheel the World platform, and access to the Wheel the World Academy training series. For more information or to get involved, visit: annarbor.org/plan/accessible-travel

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