One of Afar’s core editorial values is inclusivity: We believe that travel—and travel stories—should be accessible and should reflect the multitude of human experiences.
Over the years, we’ve worked with writers who have shared stories that make us think differently about the world and the way we move through it. Ryan Knighton wrote about taking an African safari as a blind person, Sara Novic visited Martha’s Vineyard to revisit its legacy as a haven for the Deaf community, Kelly Dawson reflected on the kindness of strangers when traveling with cerebral palsy, and AccessNow founder Maayan Ziv explained what she wished the travel industry understood about disabled travelers.
Some disabilities are invisible, of course, which can make it even harder for those travelers to tackle issues of accessible travel. In the U.S., 1 in 36 children (and and 1 in 45 adults) have autism, and an oft-quoted study by Autism Travels found that 87 percent of families whose children have autism don’t take family vacations. Advocacy organization Autism Speaks notes the not-so-obvious hurdles: “The changes in routine, unpredictability, crowds, new noises and sights can all make the experience difficult for people on the spectrum and their families.” But that same IBCCES study found that 93 percent of families would be more inclined to travel if they knew of autism-certified options.
This April, which is Autism Awareness Month, we are spotlighting stories of personal experiences, practical tips, and lessons learned from traveling as a neurodivergent person or with a neurodivergent family member.
To kick things off, Afar contributor Lisa Kadane reports on a new initiative in the beloved Rocky Mountain ski resort town of Banff, which enabled her son, who has autism, to learn how to ski. Come back throughout the month for more insights and celebrations that can make travel easier—and a lot more fun—for all.
