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Purposeful Traveler: Ashley Olson of Wheel Chair Traveling

This month in our series, Purposeful Traveler we meet Ashley Olson, an advocate for universal access to travel for people with disabilities. Ashley is the Founder and Editor behind wheelchairtraveling.com. Travel Massive’s Stephanie Uniacke sat down with Ashley in San Francisco about the physical challenges of traveling and how she is making a purposeful change to the travel industry. 

Who are you and how did you begin to work in the travel industry?

I am an advocate for universal access while I travel.

I started working in the travel industry in 2006 when I noticed an obvious lack of information for travelers needing access. Even speaking to someone at a visitor’s bureau or a park ranger left questions unanswered. As a creative person who loves to travel, write, and take pictures my mission became clear: fill the void. I wanted to help the next person, who needed accessibility in some way, to have a better understanding what to expect and how to plan for a destination. I want to see more people who are “disabled” out in the world, experiencing it. Being a part of it all.

Ashley Olson of www.wheelchairtraveling.com
Ashley Olson of www.wheelchairtraveling.com

What does your current role entail?

Most people think that what I do is travel, take pictures, write, and post about it to social media outlets, which is true but there is much more. Generally, documenting accessibility is not the most glamorous travel job–it requires so many details, like measuring a trail grade and evaluating restrooms. In addition to creating access travel guides myself, including finding accessible accommodations, tours and activities worldwide, I also inform travelers about logistics such as access on an airplane.

What business challenges do you face?

I am creating a business model that no one else has but it has been very challenging to make money in what I do but I am doing it. Along with everything that goes into managing all the content on wheelchairtraveling.com and the technical side of the site, I work tirelessly on sales and marketing. As a part of marketing, I speak about travel as often as I can from conventions to support groups. Of course, travelers seeking access information will always be a high propriety and will assist however I am able.

What benefits have come from attending Travel Massive meet-ups?

Broadening my reach to let people know that no matter what, they can still travel and that there are still adventures to be had. Generally, it is a fun way to meet people that share my same passion.

What changes do you hope to see in the travel industry?

I want better access to travel for all. I want the U.S. to sign the International Disability Treaty so that some kind of standard can be measured.

For example, I want a person who cannot walk or has difficulty walking to feel just as comfortable flying on an airline as someone who is able bodied. I want airlines not to lose wheelchairs. I want a person with a disability to be able to book an ADA accommodation and have that room guaranteed – not given away. Scratching the surface here really, but overall I hope the travel industry will be more accommodating. Companies may also realize the billions of dollars being lost when they don’t cater to people with “disabilities”.

If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

I had a taste of Japan and can’t wait to go back but I would also love to see other countries in Asia, namely Indonesia and Thailand. However, I have a great desire to explore my viking roots in Sweden and the surrounding countries. I would like to see every significant religious and spiritual spot from every civilization on earth that ever were.

Purposeful Traveler is a series that profiles inspiring people or projects making a purposeful change to the way we travel. If you know of a Purposeful Traveler who should be featured, email us

About the Author

Ming TombsStephanie Uniacke is the co-chapter leader of San Francisco Travel Massive. When she is not organizing meet ups in her city she blogs over at Just Cherished, proving you can still have travel adventures with a 9-5 lifestyle. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.


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