Despite growing awareness around inclusivity, detailed guidelines ensuring all aspects of corporate travel accommodate employees with disabilities remain scarce. The industry must do more. Ensuring accessibility to communications, facilities, products, and services should be central to every travel policy. As travel professionals, we can lead the way in improving accessibility. Here’s how.
‍

‍

Accessibility gap in business travel

A 2022 survey by Accessio revealed that 39% of business travelers identified as having an accessibility requirement that affected their performance. Yet, 70% of travel managers either didn’t know or wouldn’t estimate how many of their travelers had such needs.

Accessibility challenges extend beyond physical disabilities to include mental health issues, neurodiversity, temporary conditions (such as pregnancy or injuries), age-related needs, food allergies, and chronic pain. The gap in understanding these differences means that many professionals struggle in silence.

Beyond being a moral imperative, accessibility is also a strategic priority—aligning with legal obligations, expanding market reach, and enhancing corporate reputation and employee satisfaction. In short, experts in the industry agree it’s simply the right thing to do.  

‍

Current work in the accessibility space

Although no unified industry-wide guidelines exist, several organizations are making strides:

• Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) developed the GBTA Accessibility Toolkit, offering travel managers essential resources to improve accessibility. ‍
  ‍
• BCD Travel report: Accessibility in travel provides valuable insights for corporate travel programs.
  ‍
• Andrew Slaiby, senior travel manager at RTX, began his accessibility advocacy through GBTA Ladders, a professional development program, later bringing it to Travel and Meeting Society where he and his team spent several years conducting interviews. His research focuses on how the industry can better meet the needs of diverse travelers.

Slaiby’s findings categorized accessibility needs into eight key areas: mobility, immunocompromised, neuro, dietary, allergy, communication, size, and autoimmune requirements.  

Recognizing that many disabilities are invisible, he emphasizes that accessibility efforts must go beyond ADA compliance.

“What started off as, ‘Let’s come up with a good idea,’ turned into, 'This is a really big issue,’” he said, in the process realizing that with ADHD, there are accommodations he needs.

Collaborating with the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and OpenTravel Alliance, Slaiby introduced 22 new accessibility standards, addressing previously overlooked needs such as:

• Stepping stools for travelers of short stature or those with young children.
  ‍
• Weighted blankets for sensory regulation.
  ‍
• Scent-free environments for individuals with allergies or migraines.

Industry professionals have begun implementing these recommendations, sparking conversations and policy changes.  

“We need to consider going beyond requirements and helping those with disabilities in different categories,” Slaiby explained.

‍

Bridging the gap: Four practical steps for the industry

While progress is being made, there is still significant work to be done. Travel managers, corporate decision-makers, and service providers must take proactive steps to ensure accessibility is a fundamental part of business travel. By addressing common barriers and implementing strategic solutions, we can create a more inclusive experience for all travelers.  

In a recent poll on Christopherson Business Travel’s LinkedIn, people voted what they thought the industry should focus on in four different areas. Each area is an opportunity for organizations to increase accessibility to travelers.

1. Educate travel managers

Many travel managers lack training on disability inclusion. Companies can address this by:

• Providing education on accessibility needs and legal obligations. Resources like the GBTA Accessibility Toolkit and other research linked in this article can help.
  ‍
• Encouraging open conversations with employees about their travel requirements while respecting privacy and HIPAA laws.
  ‍
• Partnering with accessibility consultants to refine travel policies.

2. Update company travel programs

Corporate travel policies should proactively accommodate diverse needs by:

• Ensuring preferred airlines and hotels meet accessibility standards.  
  ‍
• Offering flexible booking options for accessible rooms and transportation.
  ‍
• Including accessibility guidelines in company travel policies to ensure employees feel heard and confident about business travel.

3. Establish industry-wide best practices

A standardized approach to accessibility is critical. While ADA guidelines are helpful, they don’t cover all disabilities, especially those that are less visible. The industry can improve by:

• Collaborating with travel providers to enhance accommodations and transportation.
  ‍
• Creating clear guidelines for accessible business travel planning.
  ‍
• Developing an industry-wide certification program for accessibility compliance.
  

4. Simplify accessibility information

Finding reliable accessibility information remains one of the biggest challenges for travelers with disabilities. Anyone in the travel industry working on tech should make sure to include accessibility in its development. Sharon Doyle, formerly of Deem, emphasized on GBTA’s podcast, The Business of Travel, that “great design is for everybody.” Companies can contribute by:

• Creating clear, user-friendly accessibility guides for hotels, airlines, and transport services.
  ‍
• Offering dedicated support teams for travelers with disabilities.
  ‍
• Standardizing accessibility-related booking filters on travel platforms.
  

Some existing business travel tech has already been working on this. In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Deem highlighted their technology offering more accessibility for business travelers. SAP Concur has also prioritized accessibility in product development. Joe Cronin, principal product manager at SAP Concur, stated, “SAP has made a huge investment in ensuring we’re building accessible products.” View the details of these features on SAP Concur’s website. Companies can follow this lead by integrating accessibility considerations into digital tools from the outset rather than as an afterthought.

Conclusion

Improving accessibility in business travel benefits everyone—employees, companies, and the travel industry as a whole. By prioritizing education, updating travel policies, establishing best practices, and simplifying accessibility information, we can create a more inclusive and seamless travel experience for all professionals. As businesses expand their global reach, ensuring that travel is accessible must become a top priority.  
‍

► You’ll also like: Your guide to flying with medication