Experience Grand Rapids recently launched a first-of-its-kind, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered accessibility tool for travelers with disabilities. The tech, created in partnership with San Francisco-based Wheel the World, is designed to help visitors find accessible hotels, restaurants, attractions, and activities in the area. The resource can be accessed through Experience Grand Rapid’s website, providing detailed accessibility insights all in one reliable place.
“The AI accessibility tool is designed to support travelers with a wide range of access needs, including [those with] mobility, cognitive, hearing, and vision disabilities,” says Kate Lieto, vice president of marketing at Experience Grand Rapids. “It gives meeting planners a resource they can share with attendees, allowing individuals to ask personalized questions and get clear, practical answers in real time. The tool also is built to grow as more venues are mapped and feedback is added, ensuring accessibility information continues to improve over time.”
In practical application, a meeting attendee in search of accessible travel accommodations could use the tool to ask a specific question before or during their visit—such as whether a hotel room meets their needs, what accessible transportation is available, or what to expect at a venue. “Instead of searching multiple sites, they can get clear, personalized answers in one place, helping them navigate Grand Rapids with confidence,” Lieto says. According to Experience Grand Rapids, beta testers have found the tool to be screen-reader compatible, mobile friendly, and capable of providing specific, practical details about experience and venue accessibility.
The launch of this service comes as part of Experience Grand Rapids’ broader track record of accessibility advocacy, after collaborating on accessibility initiatives with Disability Advocates of Kent County for nearly a decade.
“For years, we have worked with Disability Advocates of Kent County and Wheel the World to assess venues, train partners, and build reliable accessibility information for hotels, venues, and attractions that host meetings,” Lieto says. “This AI tool brings that work together in one place and gives planners a simple, trusted resource to share with attendees.”
