The InnovateAble Showcase, an initiative of the TravelAbility Summit, annually highlights new and innovative accessible products and services that make travel, recreation and events more accessible to disabled people. A panel of judges considered seven products across a variety of categories during the 2025 showcase, and four winners were selected. Let's take a look!
BoardSafe Docks (1st Place — Tie)
Prior to my car accident, I was a frequent kayaker, but assumed that it would not be possible given that I am now short a hand. That isn't true, and I now frequently kayak with Stevie and Robert. As a wheelchair user, transferring into the kayak is a challenge, but adaptive kayak launches like those sold by BoardSafe Docks make kayaking accessible.
BoardSafe's adaptive kayak launches and floating docks expand waterfront access for disabled people, and the product was very well received at the InnovateAble Showcase. The extensive suite of available features, including tiered benches, overhead bars/straps and slideout seats, make BoardSafe Docks accessible to a wider range of adaptive athletes.
Lotus (1st Place — Tie)
Lotus has introduced a wearable smart-ring control system that gives the wearer the ability to point and click to operate lights, fans, TVs and other appliances controlled by a wall switch — no WiFi, apps or rewiring required.
The standard Lotus Kit comprises one ring (available in multiple sizes) and three switch covers that magnetically attach to existing wall switches. The ring works like a remote: from across the room, the user simply points the ring and activates the switch-cover, gaining control of the environment (e.g., lighting, appliances). It is designed for portability and is usable in homes, rentals and hotels. It was recognized for its wide use case, given that promotes independence for people with limited mobility or dexterity, and even for people with low vision.
Scan Me Home (2nd Place + People's Choice Winner)
Scan Me Home is a QR-code-based identification system designed for individuals who may be at risk of wandering including children and adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities, or persons with memory loss. A simple scan of a QR-code tag reveals a webpage with contact details and a “click to call” link for the caregiver or family member.
The product was born from the founders’ experience with children on the autism spectrum and emphasizes ease of use: the tag can be ironed onto clothing, does not require a phone to be carried by the tagged person, and works even when the individual cannot communicate.
During the 2025 InnovateAble Showcase, Scan Me Home was acknowledged for its practical risk-mitigation approach in inclusive travel. It earned second place in the overall competition, as well as the people's choice award.
Koda (3rd Place)
Koda offers a real-time, AI-powered captioning and translation solution designed for live events of all kinds, from conferences and summits to airports and stadiums. The system operates on any device without requiring the user to download an app: attendees simply access a link or QR code on their phone, tablet or laptop and the captions appear instantly.
What distinguishes Koda is its accessibility-first design: it supports speaker separation (so each speaker’s remarks can be identified) and the option to translate into multiple languages. At the 2025 InnovateAble Showcase, Koda was featured for its capability to instantly make spoken content visible and comprehensible to deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees, and to broaden access for multilingual audiences.
ADAPTS Portable Transfer Sling
The ADAPTS Portable Transfer Sling has been featured multiple times on this website — it's a lightweight transfer sling designed to promote safer mobility in tight or inaccessible spaces. Retired flight attendant Robin Wearley developed the product after I published my 2016 article, Emergency Airplane Evacuations for Wheelchair Users. You can watch her presentation at the InnovateAble Showcase here:
I continue to advocate for the adoption of ADAPTS by major airlines as a critical piece of safety equipment. The first airline in the world to incorporate ADAPTS into its onboard safety kit was Kenya Airways, which has them onboard its long-haul fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
John Morris
Wheelchair Travel readers can purchase an ADAPTS Portable Transfer Sling with a $15 discount by using promotion code WCT15 on the ADAPTS website.
RightHear
RightHear is an audio wayfinding and environment-orientation system developed for people who are blind or have low vision. It uses “talking signage” via Bluetooth beacons, acoustic signals and mobile app integration so that spaces (indoor or outdoor) can communicate location, orientation cues and navigation assistance to the user’s smartphone.
Importantly, RightHear’s solution does not rely on GPS or high-bandwidth connectivity for indoor use, making it well-suited for deployment in airports, museums, large venues and even outdoor paths.
At the 2025 Showcase, RightHear was highlighted for empowering visually-impaired travelers with more independence in wayfinding and orientation, advancing accessible travel beyond physical ramps and rails to cognitive and sensory access.
Touch2See
Touch2See brings live sports experiences to blind and low-vision fans using a multi-sensory, tactile and audio tablet system. The device employs haptic feedback, magnetic cursors representing the ball’s location, and real-time data fed from the stadium to translate player movement, ball passes, fouls and other game events into sensations on the tablet surface.
Since its launch, Touch2See has been deployed in multiple U.S. sporting venues, including my hometown MLS club, St. Louis CITY SC. Check out how Touch2See has transformed one fan's experience in this video:
At the InnovateAble Showcase, Touch2See was featured for its inclusive innovation: rather than modifying sight-based offerings, it recasts the game experience for users of non-visual modes. Sports teams and venues that integrate Touch2See set themselves apart by reaching beyond the bare minimum level of accessibility to offer an inclusive experience for fans with reduced vision as well.
Featured image courtesy Touch2See.
