Program Summary

The Accessible Travel Program, a pilot program in partnership with Wheel The World, aims to amplify accessible spaces in destinations across Colorado. This innovative program aligns with the CTO Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, demonstrating Colorado’s commitment to providing welcoming, inclusive and accessible experiences for everyone.

Wheel The World is an accessible travel booking platform that provides detailed, verified accessibility information with a user-friendly experience focused on accessibility. Through their Destination Verified program, Wheel the World helps destinations assess, improve, and promote their accessibility to reach the market of travelers with disabilities and their companions.

You can find a recording of the August 27, 2024 informational webinar here.

Program outcomes include:

Wheel The World on-site assessments and reports for selected sites
Online course to train hospitality professionals about accessible travel
Booking solution at wheeltheworld.com for all verified sites
Accessible travel core team
Recommendations on continued work once the program is complete

Up to three destination organizations will be selected to participate. Selected destinations will be paired with a tourism consultant that will serve as their lead point of contact throughout the duration of the program. Program elements include:

Stakeholder engagement
- Core team meetings with key stakeholders to ensure program goals and outcomes
- Informational webinar for all interested stakeholders
- Press release template
Wheel The World site assessments
- Up to 23 site assessments (accommodations and/or attractions) in the destination that includes pictures, measurements, and data for an accessibility map according to Wheel The World standards
- Each assessed site will receive a report that includes accessibility status and recommended improvements
Marketing and training
- Free listing on Wheel The World for all Wheel The World Verified sites
- Consultant support to develop marketing assets for Wheel The World Verified sites
- Free online access to Wheel The World’s e-Learning Accessibility training platform
Final program summary report and recommended next steps

Overview

Type: Program

For: Destinations

Division: Colorado Tourism Office

August 27, 2024	Applications open
October 10, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT	Applications close
October 24, 2024	Award notifications
November 2024	Program kick-off
June 2025	Program ends

Eligible Colorado destination organizations include:

Recipients of jurisdictional lodging taxes, such as:
- Destination marketing organizations
- Lodging tax boards, committees, or panels
Other tourism leadership organizations that are responsible for developing, promoting, and managing tourism on behalf of a destination that does not have a lodging tax, such as:
- Chambers of commerce or chamber resort associations
Government entities in Colorado (federally recognized tribes and local governments) engaged in tourism development, promotion, and management

Applicant lead will act as the community champion and expect to commit to at least 50 hours of work throughout the duration of the program
- Coordinating core team meetings
- Communicating program opportunities and results to stakeholders
- Marketing program results on the destination’s website
Community champion will develop a core team of stakeholders that will provide input and support to ensure program success
- Core team members will be responsible for meeting virtually three times throughout the duration of the program
Only one application can be submitted for an individual destination
- Multiple organizations within a single destination should collaborate on a single program application
Participation in previous Colorado Tourism Office programming does not impact eligibility or competitiveness
Existing community partnerships with local disability inclusion organizations are not a requirement but make the application more competitive

Applications are now closed.

A panel of industry partners and representatives from both Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel The World reviews applications and recommends awards based on demonstrated need, capacity to participate, and demonstrated support from appropriate governing bodies. A representative from the Colorado Tourism Office will respond to your application within one month of the application deadline.