At present, I’m excited to launch the Fort Wayne, Indiana Wheelchair Accessible Journey Information, which is packed stuffed with the data and sources you have to make visiting this Midwestern gem a actuality. It joins greater than 50 different cities in my Listing of Accessible Journey Locations, and I hope you’ll contemplate together with it in your future journey plans.

Whereas the journey information can converse for itself, I’d wish to share a bit extra about what makes this vacation spot — and group — so particular.

This text was printed as a part of an version of the Wheelchair Journey Publication. To proceed studying or to subscribe to the e-newsletter, please go to Wheelchair Journey on Substack.

“I really adore your group.”

I spoke these phrases from the rostrum at Go to Fort Wayne’s inaugural Energy of Tourism occasion, which final month gathered native enterprise leaders and hospitality professionals to acknowledge their contributions to the tourism economic system.

My keynote handle was meant to encourage enterprise leaders’ dedication to accessibility which, for a lot of locations, is spoken however not often practiced. That isn’t the case in Fort Wayne, a actuality that turned shortly obvious — from the second I landed at Fort Wayne Worldwide Airport, investments in accessibility stared me proper within the face (the airport is present process a $140 million capital enchancment undertaking to increase connectivity and enhance accessibility).

On the day of my arrival, I bought proper to work — visiting the Fort Wayne Youngsters’s Zoo (one in all America’s finest and most extremely rated), and the Turnstone Middle (one in all eight Paralympic coaching amenities in the USA). Accessibility was described as a main focus of each group’s work, and it’s no shock they have been honored with awards on the Energy of Tourism occasion.

My keynote handle had been written lengthy earlier than I departed Boston however, after simply a few days in Fort Wayne, I discovered myself staying up late, rewriting sections that not appeared to use. Metropolis leaders don’t want inspiration, I assumed — they’re already so engaged! — they should learn the way their commitments are positively impacting disabled individuals, and the way they will degree as much as create an much more inclusive journey vacation spot.

When Go to Fort Wayne invited me to go to their metropolis, that invitation was delivered immediately by the group’s President and CEO, Jill Boggs. The dedication to accessibility on the highest ranges of management, not solely on the tourism board however at numerous native companies and organizations, has allowed Fort Wayne to advance accessibility as a precedence and to determine itself as an accessible journey vacation spot.

Throughout my go to, I had the chance to attach with representatives from organizations like The League and AWS Basis, a lot of whom have disabilities and all of whom share in my dedication to advocate for Equal Entry All over the place. They’re main the cost, advocating for incapacity inclusion and, within the case of the AWS Basis, funding tasks that incorporate common design.

There are incapacity advocates doing essential work in each metropolis, little doubt, however in Fort Wayne I noticed a degree of engagement between advocates and group leaders that left me speechless. Accessibility is a shared objective in Fort Wayne, slightly than a contentious battle. That’s a refreshing sight to see, and a mannequin for different communities and the nation to observe.

The journey in the direction of equal entry will likely be a protracted one. Some say it might by no means be completed. But when we hope to make any progress, public, personal and private pursuits should coalesce round a shared objective — to make our communities, public areas and companies locations the place all are welcome. Fort Wayne is demonstrating objective and a dedication to motion — I hope it sustains!

To get began in researching and planning your go to, take a look at the Fort Wayne, Indiana Wheelchair Accessible Journey Information, which comprises these sources:

• 11 Wheelchair Accessible Issues to Do in Fort Wayne — Fort Wayne has a world-class zoo and an artwork museum with distinctive glass sculptures, however it additionally boasts and adaptive sports activities complicated, a few of the finest avenue artwork within the USA, and distinctive actions like a printmaking workshop.
• Accessible Lodges in Fort Wayne — Have a look inside Fort Wayne’s high motels, with footage and measurements that can assist you make an knowledgeable choice about the place to remain.
• Information to Wheelchair Accessible Public Transit in Fort Wayne — Fort Wayne’s Citilink bus service supplies hourly service in low-floor metropolis buses with wheelchair ramps and two wheelchair securement areas.
• Accessibility at Fort Wayne Worldwide Airport — Investing $140 million into an airport terminal constructing could make an enormous totally different in accessibility, and the brand new grownup altering desk is only one means Fort Wayne Worldwide Airport is best serving disabled vacationers.
• Wheelchair Accessibility of Fort Wayne Sidewalks — As a part of its ADA Transition Plan, the Metropolis of Fort Wayne took a listing of its sidewalks and curb ramps, and made a big dedication to fund enhancements. The town’s downtown core is now wheelchair-friendly.

Will you add Fort Wayne to your journey itinerary? Let me know within the feedback!

Featured picture courtesy Go to Fort Wayne.