Online inclusion: Airbnb unveils Experiences accessible for all

When travel and tourism are temporarily paused, and people all over the world have to stay home because of the coronavirus - cinemas, museums, libraries, concert venues, schools and even excursions changed - everything went online. Before the global quarantine Airbnb service helped tourists rent vacation homes all around the world, in April 2020 it has launched Online Experiences - for example, a cooking class with a chef from San Francisco, a virtual wine tour in Portugal accompanied by a sommelier, a training from the Olympic champion. All this could be enjoyed through the Internet without leaving home.

And on May 21, when the world celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Airbnb announced that new Online Experiences became accessible to people with disabilities.  Airbnb unveils new events designed by hosts with accessibility in mind. Some activities are held in sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing, some are accompanied by audio description for users with visual impairments. And for people with reduced mobility and the elderly, there are special workouts, such as adapted yoga classes.

Those who want to learn more about inclusion and accessibility can also do this by joining  a sign language course, guide dogs training, or by going to the farm with little horses and donkeys to get acquainted with the possibilities of equine therapy.

“As a regular wheelchair tennis player, I am delighted about these new Online Experiences designed with the disability community in mind,” says Suzanne Edwards, the Accessibility Lead for Experiences at Airbnb. “Not only do I think many of these Online Experiences are valuable to address my own needs but they’re also a great way to connect with friends and family. At Airbnb we are always looking for ways to improve accessibility across our platform. Our goal is to ensure Experiences are inclusive of as many needs as possible.”

By participating in various Online Experiences, you can virtually travel to different places and countries. Start with training with Paralympian in Colorado, or have a wheelchair workout with a pro trainer from the UK, spend time with horses on a farm in Canada, visit a cooking class with Deaf Cook in British Cotswolds, meet the dawn on an Australian beach..

To do this Airbnb has partnered with disability organizations and nonprofits including the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Royal Association for Deaf People, and The Arc.

“As part of our care mission, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to helping create a more accessible world. Airbnb’s Online Experiences bring exciting innovation to this effort and make it possible for people with disabilities, including paralysis, to embark on a wide range of adventures and opportunities that once may have been closed to this community. We applaud Airbnb’s first move to improve accessibility and are proud to partner on this initiative” – says Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

“One of RAD’s key ambitions is to create a better, more accessible future for Deaf people.  We are therefore incredibly proud to partner with Airbnb who share our aspirations.  We’re thrilled to see Online Experiences hosted in sign language and welcome this opportunity for deaf people to access Experiences in their first language—in addition to workshops for beginners” – adds Amanda Casson Webb, Joint Chief Executive, Royal Association for Deaf people.

“At the American Foundation for the Blind, we believe in a world with no limits. We are delighted that Airbnb is highlighting online experiences designed by hosts for people who are blind or low vision, and look forward to experiencing them. Everyone in our community is trying to stay at home and keep safe, so having a fun and inclusive way to connect with Airbnb Online Experiences is really valuable, and a great first step to helping improve accessibility on the platform” – says Tanner Gers, Business Development Lead, American Foundation for the Blind.

Enjoy from home at airbnb.com/oeaccessibility