Hey everyone,
This email is not a traditional newsletter, but rather a few "notes from the road" to keep you informed about what I am working on. My travel schedule has been extremely busy and I am writing to you from the first of three cities this week.
Accessibility takes the stage at ITS World Congress
About two months ago, my friends at Transport Canada reached out and asked me to moderate what they believed to be the first-ever accessibility panel discussion at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress. Although ITS is not on my typical conference schedule, I am committed to breaking new ground and agreed to make the trip to Atlanta, Georgia. I am likely the only wheelchair user in attendance at an event that routinely draws more than 10,000 people.
Our session, entitled "Inclusive Mobility Today: Scaling AI Solutions for Inclusive Multimodal Hubs," was scheduled for yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and I was joined by Craig Hutton, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy at Transport Canada and Sintujah Yogarajah, Manager of Certification Engineering and Document Control at Delta Flight Products.
We had a robust conversation focused on how AI technologies can improve accessibility at multimodal transportation hubs. We discussed the barriers disabled people face, such as wayfinding, airport assistance services and ground transportation. We examined some real-world AI pilot projects, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling successful solutions across modes and regions to ensure accessible design and planning are embedded from the start.
Attending conferences like the ITS World Congress is expensive, and I receive no financial support from conference organizers. Traveling to advocate for equal access is only possible thanks to readers like you who upgrade to a paid Wheelchair Travel subscription.
Two more events this week, including one opportunity for you to participate
My schedule has two more major events this week (plus a host of interviews, including the Deputy Mayor for Mobility of Rome, Italy) which will surely be of interest to you.
Visiting the Delta Flight Products Headquarters in Atlanta
The team at Delta Flight Products, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines who unveiled the Air4All wheelchair securement solution for airplanes, have invited me to tour their facility here in Atlanta later today.
I hope to receive updates on the development of the Air4All securement spaces for the business and economy class cabins, as well as DFP's innovative accessible lavatory concept. Tracing the development of accessibility solutions that will open air travel to greater numbers of disabled travelers is a key priority.
Join me at a ground transportation discussion with the National Council on Disability
On Thursday, August 28, I will be in Washington, D.C. to participate in an event focused on the National Council on Disability's recent report, Ground Transportation for People with Mobility Disabilities 2025: Challenges and Progress. You can access the report on the NCD website.
At the meeting, I will make a presentation highlighting the barriers to equal access with taxis, rideshares, microtransit and shuttles.
The meeting will be broadcast via Zoom and streamed on YouTube starting at 9:30 p.m. ET (New York time). Wheelchair Travel readers are encouraged to attend. For more information, please review the event notice on the NCD website.
Your support makes this website and my accessible travel advocacy possible. Please consider joining the movement to make travel accessible for everyone by upgrading to a paid subscription today.
In Case You Missed It
Last week, I shared details from our recent family trip to Richmond, Virginia in the article entitled Beyond Downtown: Wheelchair Accessible Travel to the Richmond Region. If you haven't read it, please take a look.
John Morris
The River City is a fantastic destination for family travel, with lots of Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Richmond, and it is definitely a place we will visit again.
Looking ahead and Final Thoughts
Next week will also see me spending time in multiple cities as I make the final preparations to welcome readers on the September 2025 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Barcelona, Spain. The Spain group tour has always been among the most popular and I am considering hosting another in 2026. If you are interested in traveling with me to Spain next year, please leave a comment to let me know.
I will check-in with a full newsletter before that group trip, which will include some reflections on my advocacy this week, new hotel reviews and a highlights from my family's recent travel adventures.
Have a great week, and I will talk to you soon!
All the best,
—John
