Destination Ann Arbor took home a major national honor mid-August for its leadership in accessible travel, earning the All Ways Welcome Award at this year’s U.S. Travel Association Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference. This recognition spotlights the organization’s innovative, community-driven strategy to make Ann Arbor a destination where all travelers—including those with physical, cognitive, and invisible disabilities—can fully participate in the visitor experience.
The accessibility initiative, launched last year, made Ann Arbor the first city in Michigan to achieve “Destination Verified” status from accessible travel platform Wheel the World. (Read more about this certification here.) Local businesses—including hotels, museums, theaters, and attractions—underwent professional accessibility assessments across more than 200 data points, with each establishment’s results being published on Wheel the World’s platform. Each participating business also received access to specialized staff training through Wheel the World Academy.
“We’re honored to receive national recognition for our collaborative efforts with local partners and industry leaders, all working together to ensure the destination is a place where every traveler feels genuinely welcomed,” says Sarah Miller, president and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor, in a prepared statement.
Participating businesses have already introduced tangible improvements. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, for instance, provides sensory-friendly tools, inclusive staffing, and more under its “Access for All” program. Decode Ann Arbor Escape Rooms offers tactile puzzles, closed captioning, and adjustable lighting to accommodate a variety of needs, while Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum have free all-terrain wheelchairs for the outdoor trails. The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History offers sensory kits for visitors on the autism spectrum, and the city’s Michigan and State theaters now coordinate sign language interpretation upon request.
“What Destination Ann Arbor has achieved is bigger than a designation—it’s a blueprint for the future of tourism,” adds Arturo Gaona, chief partnerships officer at Wheel the World. “By combining authentic storytelling, community leadership, and verified accessibility, Ann Arbor is showing the world how inclusivity drives both impact and innovation.”
Destination Ann Arbor is now inviting additional businesses to join the initiative, offering free assessments and verified listings on Wheel the World to expand its accessibility footprint.
For more details on accessibility resources or to get involved, visit annarbor.org/plan/accessible-travel.
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