Australia is home to more than 5.5 million people living with disability, many of whom travel regularly. 

As part of the travel industry, our words can shape perceptions and influence decisions – making it vital to champion accessible travel and tell stories which reflect a broader, more inclusive world.

Below is a curated list of resources to help better understand the barriers, needs and aspirations of travellers with a disability, and how we can contribute to a more inclusive travel industry. 

Tools and guides for inclusive storytelling

  • City of Melbourne: Make Your Business Accessible: A practical guide featuring tips, checklists and case studies to help businesses (and writers) better understand accessibility in tourism. melbourne.vic.gov.au
  • Pro Bono Australia: Making Tourism Inclusive: An advocacy-focused piece highlighting why the tourism industry—and the media—must play a role in inclusion. probonoaustralia.com.au
  • Intrepid Travel: What Is Accessible Travel? A user-friendly guide to accessible travel concepts, and how travel companies (and content creators) can be more inclusive. intrepidtravel.com
  • APEC: Accessible Tourism Academy Reports Designed to help small businesses in the Asia–Pacific deliver better experiences to travellers with access needs. apec.accessibletourism.academy
  • Austrade: Why accessible tourism matters Resources to help businesses better cater to the needs of travellers with disabilities. Includes a round-up of government and industry initiatives. austrade.gov.au
  • Celebrity Cruises: What is accessible travel A guide and resource for accesssible cruising celebritycruises.com
  • Travel Without Limits An Australian website sharing accessible travel stories, tips, and resources for families and travellers with disability. travelwithoutlimits.com.au

Tips for travel writers

  • Highlight accessibility features in all destination stories and accommodation reviews – not just in “disability-focused” stories. For example, does the hotel have accessible rooms? Does it welcome travellers with assistance animals? 
  • Consult travellers with lived experience for authentic insights and perspectives. 
  • Accessibility is more than ramps and elevators. It can include sensory-friendly tours options and spaces, clear signage and braille, hearing loops and assistance animal welcome policies. 
  • Remember that accessibility benefits everyone, from parents with prams to older travellers. 
  • Reach out to inclusive travel advocates, tourism boards, or disability organisations for interviews and advice. Let’s build a tourism media industry that welcomes every traveller. 
  • When interviewing or quoting, be sure to ask that person how they refer to themselves. If in doubt, use respectful, person-first language (e.g. “traveller with disability”). The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations has a useful language guide: afdo.org.au