TheraEx Staffing Services’ Post

🌍 Inclusivity in Travel: Lessons from the USA for India 🇮🇳 We recently came across a compelling article discussing how more hotels and the travel industry in the USA are opening up to neurodivergent travelers and guests. This shift towards inclusivity is not only heartwarming but also a significant step forward in creating a more welcoming world for everyone. While the travel industry in India is making strides in various areas, there is still a lot we can learn and implement from these global trends. Neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, and other cognitive differences, deserve travel experiences that cater to their unique needs. Why is this important for India? Awareness: Many Indian families may not yet be fully aware of the specific challenges neurodivergent individuals face while traveling. Comfort & Safety: Creating environments that reduce sensory overload and provide clear communication can significantly enhance the comfort and safety of neurodivergent travelers. Inclusivity: Embracing neurodiversity in travel can lead to more inclusive tourism, benefiting both travelers and businesses. How can we make a difference? Training Staff: Educating hotel and travel staff about neurodivergence and how to assist neurodivergent guests. Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Designing spaces that minimize sensory overload and provide calm environments. Clear Communication: Using visual aids and clear signage to help navigate spaces more easily. At Neuro Play Emporium, we believe in the power of inclusivity and are committed to raising awareness about the needs of neurodivergent individuals. By fostering understanding and empathy, we can all contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming travel industry in India. Let’s take inspiration from the progress in the USA and work together to make travel a joyous experience for everyone, regardless of their cognitive differences. 🌟 Join us in this journey towards inclusivity! #Neurodiversity #InclusiveTravel #IndiaTravel #Awareness #Autism #ADHD #NeuroPlayEmporium #TravelIndustry #InclusionMatters https://lnkd.in/g7kJhsTt

Insights for Autistic Adults Navigating Travel The familiar twang of anxiety harpsichords reverberates within me, signaling the challenges that packing and travel often bring to individuals with sensory sensitivities like myself. However, amidst the apprehension, I've learned strategies and tools to support neurodivergent travelers. Packing for a trip has always presented particular challenges for me due to my autistic sensory sensitivity. But as I paused the process to research strategies, I stumbled upon an enlightening article offering helpful tools and insights for autistic adults navigating airports and holidays. The article highlights the importance of neurodiversity training among travel staff, promoting better care and understanding for neurodivergent travelers. Yet, it also emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to remove unnecessary barriers, such as creating new policies that accommodate sensory needs as real, neurological needs. From ticketing challenges to security checks, navigating airports can be overwhelming for neurodivergent travelers. Unexpected events, like flight delays, can exacerbate stress and dysregulation, particularly for individuals highly sensitive to others' emotions. Before embarking on a trip, reaching out to customer service teams and destination personnel with questions or requests can vastly improve the travel experience. Reviewing and printing relevant instructions, roleplaying interactions, and developing social scripts can also help familiarize oneself with transit encounters. For travelers with processing differences, bringing notecards or printed questions and responses can facilitate communication and support needs in noisy transportation hubs. As exciting events or positive surprises can also trigger dysregulation, packing snacks, water, noise cancelling headphones, eye masks, neck pillows and versatile items like a scarf can provide comfort and support various needs—from creating privacy to offering gentle pressure when needed. https://lnkd.in/eq8TEzbP #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #TravelTips #Inclusion #Accessibility #Empowerment

Travelling with someone with dementia needs some extra considerations. While it can make for additional challenges, there’s no reason to avoid it all together. Here are some tips for how to better plan for your travels together. https://bit.ly/3pxB4pn #dementia #travel #agedcare

For individuals with physical disabilities, navigating shower and bathroom accessibility while on the go can present unique challenges. In the latest Wheel the World blog you will find valuable information from a seasoned traveler with the pros and cons of each shower chair. Quick Tip: When traveling with a shower wheelchair, it will have to be checked like other luggage. BUT REMEMBER, because these are considered essential mobility equipment, airlines cannot charge you extra! https://bit.ly/3xDYLQz #AmputeeCoalition #Amputee #Amputees #AdaptAndOvercome #LimbLoss #LimbDifference #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #NoAmputeeAlone #AmputeeStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility #Travel #Traveling #TravelTips #PortableShowerChair #AccessibleTravel

This is from the lady who has inspired all my accessible travel adventures and advocacy. "Ok I’m gonna kind of let the cat out of the bag a bit because I’ve got an opportunity that I think many of you might want to get in on… Accessible Travel Planners began very grassroots when me and a few other therapists started to see that we could join together to impact the way people travel regardless of age or ability. We are now several hundred people working in different areas of accessible travel including senior travel, travel, autism friendly travel, and caregiver/companion travel. We have therapists, teachers, parents, caregivers and the people with the differing abilities themselves working together to positively impact #accessibletravel So now Im getting more organized. I’m developing training courses and creating a platform where both planner and client can get help. The opportunity I have for you is to get onboard during this creation process and help us grow snd mold it! I need those interested in accessible travel planning as well as those who need the service to get in touch with me and get going so you can be my tester of all this. Those who become my testers will have access to all its contents for free. There will also be an affiliate opportunity as well. There is still time to jump on board if you are interested in participating. Let me know if you want more info by commenting accessible below and let’s do this!" #travelplanner #accessibilityforall #occupationaltherapy #physicaltherapy #speechtherapy #travel #travelagent #maketravelyourbusiness #travelconsultant #autismadvocate #seniortravel #companiontravel

As a therapist/accessible travel professional this is not good. It's putting a bandaid on a larger issue. It's an afterthought. How about you install actual grab bars that are actually safe in the showers? Suction cup grab bars are not 100% safe. Would you put your trust in that to prevent a fall? Making places accessible benefits EVERYONE. #AccessibleTravel #TravelForAll #BarrierFreeAdventure #InclusiveTourism #AccessibleDestinations #InclusiveJourneys #TravelWithoutLimits #AccessibleAdventures #InclusionTravel #DiverseExploration #AccessibleWorld #EqualOpportunityTravel #UniversalDesign #AccessibleExperiences #InclusiveGetaways #AccessibleExplore #InclusionIsKey #TravelInclusivity #AccessForAll #BarrierFreeTravel #AccessibleCulture #InclusiveDiscoveries #TravelWithDignity #InclusiveWanderlust #AccessibleAvenues #InclusiveAdventures #TravelEquality #AccessibleHeritage #InclusionJourneys #AccessibleExperience

In an era where travel is often considered a universal right, it's crucial to ensure that the joys and benefits of tourism are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion people live with some form of disability, representing 15% of the global population. Yet, the tourism sector has been slow to adapt, missing out on a market that the Open Doors Organization estimates to be worth $17.3 billion annually in the U.S. alone. Inclusive tourism isn't just a matter of ramps and wider doors; it's about creating a seamless experience that caters to all needs. From user-friendly websites with screen reader capabilities to staff trained in disability awareness, the details make all the difference. Airlines are now offering tactile safety cards for visually impaired passengers, while some hotels are implementing alert systems for guests with hearing impairments. The benefits of accessible tourism extend beyond the ethical. It's also good for business. A more inclusive approach not only broadens your customer base but also enhances brand reputation and loyalty. As the industry moves toward a more inclusive future, it's essential for businesses to recognize the value of accessibility, not just as a legal requirement but as a commercial and ethical imperative. #GulfReps #traveling #torusim #adventure

It is going viral and will soon become the new essential. Because awareness is the first step to optimal wellness. What's in between is the space that leads to something more real, natural and human. Whether you call it DigiPause, #digitaldetox or any names that refer to a space to slow down, step away from crowded cities, connect with nature and rest from screen excess, it is just a way to get there. Such humanely design spaces are a concrete answer to alleviate the consequences of the new unhealthy sedentary lifestyle. The question is to know where to find them. Which is the main reason of my trip back to #Canada. Interested to know more? Reach out and let's prepare the land together to welcome this inevitable market where it is needed most.

🌍 Inclusivity should be a key priority in tourism development planning. Commendably, many components of the tourism industry are becoming increasingly neuro-affirmative and promoting inclusive tourism. It is helpful to remember that aspects of travel (such as changes in routine) can pose significant challenges for autistic people. Other travellers can support autistic people during travel by allowing autistic travellers to pass them in the queue or refraining from being judgemental during moments of sensory overload. 💡 Dempsey et al. (2021) explored the air travel experiences of autistic children/ young people. 👇 Key stressors during air travel highlighted in the study included: ❌ Waiting at check-in, at security and boarding gates. ❌ Crowds of people during check-in and pre-boarding. ❌ Following instructions during security checks and parting with possessions. ❌ Loud announcements during pre-boarding. 👇 Enablers (supportive factors which improved the air travel experience) included: ✅ Priority boarding. ✅ Highlighting additional needs when booking tickets. ✅ Staff providing specific accommodations. ✅ Online resources to create checklists and schedules. Evidently, technology can be leveraged in these instances to contribute to an improved traveller experience. ✈️ It is admirable that many airports today have developed specific initiatives to support the travel experience of autistic people. For example, many offer lanyards to recognise and support autistic travellers or visual guides to support familiarisation with the airport during pre-trip planning. This article highlights how neurodiverse-friendly aircraft seat covers are being developed to provide an inclusive travel experience for passengers.

Hyatt's recent survey sheds light on a massive, often overlooked travel segment, neurodivergent guests (approximately 25% of travelers). This includes individuals with dyslexia, autism spectrum and attention-deficit disorders. The survey resulted in specific recommendations for pre-booking and on-property changes hotels can implement to make guest stays more comfortable and accessible. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, hospitality organizations can boost guest satisfaction and build brand loyalty with this travel segment.