Hey, everybody!
I have been busy hopping across the Atlantic Ocean — I returned recently from Greece, where I spent 11 days with a wonderful group of Wheelchair Travel readers exploring the remnants of antiquity and enjoying the delightful culture and cuisine that makes the country such a wonderful destination for wheelchair accessible tours.
On Sunday, I traveled back to Europe and have arrived safely in Hamburg, Germany where I attended the Passenger Experience Conference yesterday, and where I am covering the Aircraft Interiors Expo for the next three — more on that in a bit!
This newsletter will have a bit of everything — highlights from my recent travels, a new article from Stevie, thoughts on the war's impact on travel, a look at some stories you may have missed, and a preview of my week in Hamburg — an annual trip to advocate for accessibility up in the air.
Quick Trip to Rome — plus, a hotel for solo travelers and couples that is steps from Vatican City
Following the group trip to Greece, I flew low-cost carrier Ryanair to Rome, Italy. I needed to do some reconnaissance on accessible hotels, but I also enjoyed returning to one of my favorite wheelchair accessible attractions in Rome — the Vatican Museums! I also stopped by St. Peter's Basilica and descended into the grottoes to pay my respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI, one of my role models (I attended his funeral in 2023).
When in Rome, I typically stay closer to the central train station, Termini, which offers easy access to the airport train. But this time, I decided to check out a new hotel which is located only a couple of blocks from the Vatican Museums. Part of the Hilton Hotels Tapestry Collection, the Spring House Hotel has two (very compact) rooms designed for disabled guests.
I stayed in the hotel's single room and found it a bit too small for my liking, but manageable. The competitive price point and excellent location was convenient, and it might be a place to consider should you ever visit the Eternal City. If this particular property isn't your cup of tea, check out my list of Wheelchair Accessible Hotels in Rome, Italy.
Wheelchair taxi in Rome, Italy.
More good news on wheelchair taxis in Rome, Italy — ordering from the mobile app works well. I experienced response times of about 10 to 15 minutes at the airport and in the city during my recent trip. You may recall my interview with Rome's Deputy Mayor for Mobility, who promised improved access to wheelchair taxis in the city. You can read the interview here:
John Morris
It was exciting to experience more of Rome's wheelchair taxi fleet — there are a variety of vehicles, and some are better suited for large power wheelchairs than others. Sadly, it appears which type of WAV you will get is the luck of the draw, even when you notate the need to accommodate an electric wheelchair. Some WAV taxis have limited headspace (I had to tilt my head and recline my wheelchair in one model), while the one pictured above easily accommodated my tall stature and featured a large viewing window!
New Article from Stevie — On Reasonable Accommodations and Gratitude
Stevie recently published a new article on the expectations of gratitude for accessibility which, if you missed it in your inbox, is linked here:
Stevie Gleason
She does not advocate for a lack of gratitude, but points out that reasonable accommodations made to overcome accessibility barriers are a right. Sometimes business owners lose sight of the fact that accessibility is a responsibility — not a favor being done for disabled customers. Having to ask for accessibility as an accommodation can be a barrier in itself, and so we should expect accessibility that does not require human intervention. You can read more on my own thoughts about what constitutes true accessibility here:
John Morris
On The War — Is it safe to travel internationally now?
War has once again broken out in the Middle East. The war in Iran has caused many to rethink travel, has reduced operations at major airports in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, among others, and has impacted many of our wallets — uncertainty in the stock market and higher fuel prices impacts us all.
Many Wheelchair Travel readers have asked if it is safe to travel during wartime. And, the simple answer is — yes. My travelers in Greece felt safe and, as I have just returned to Europe this week, I also feel safe. War is not coming to Western Europe. While I could write on this at much greater length, I encourage you not to miss out on opportunities to travel simply because there is a war in Iran.
Support my Trip to the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Germany to Report on Accessibility in the Air
On Saturday, I will set off on my annual journey to the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) and Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) in Hamburg, Germany. Last year, I spoke to an audience of airline executives and reported on exciting progress in the development of wheelchair securement spaces for airplanes. You can read my coverage here:
John Morris
John Morris
I plan to follow-up on those innovations, while also seeking out new products that could improve the flying experience for disabled travelers.
Airline executives are paid by their employers to attend events like the Aircraft Interiors Expo, but I don't receive a salary and have to pay my own way. If you value my advocacy for accessibility at industry conferences, please consider upgrading to a paid membership or making a one-time or recurring gift via PayPal. I can't do this work without your support.
Bonus: News Roundup — Accessible Travel Stories Worth Reading
Each week, I look at the latest stories from the world of accessible travel and curate them in a News Roundup. Here are some stories included in the most recent roundup:
- Disney Shareholders rejected a proposal to reconsider changes to the park's Disability Access Pass which are said to be discriminatory
- Minnesota lawmakers proposed an amendment the "Waymo bill" that would require wheelchair accessible vehicles, but it was rejected
- Disabled people are turning to Artificial Intelligence to draft lawsuits challenging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
You can dig deeper into these headlines and more in the latest Accessible Travel News Roundup, available here:
John Morris
Final Thoughts
I have a busy week planned here in Hamburg; meetings with Airbus, Boeing and a slew of aircraft interior manufacturers are on the horizon. I am working hard to bring the message of accessibility to this conference, as I do every year, and your support is crucial to those efforts.
Thank you, as always, for your continued readership — you'll hear more from me as this conference progresses, and I hope you will share my stories with your network on social media.
Talk to you soon,
— John Morris
