Open Doors Organization

10/28/2025

Arriving at the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO), there was a large disability assistance area, which had different types of wheelchairs, both manual and power, to assist travelers with disabilities. Overall, the accessibility while in Italy at the airport and the train station was very hands-on. At the train station, any traveler with a disability was told to book an appointment at the disability assistance office and then was personally escorted to their train. Way to go, Europe.

Alt text photo description: At the airport terminal near a baggage or transfer area, several people are present. In the foreground, a man in a navy uniform bends over a blue manual wheelchair with luggage attached. To the right, another staff member assists a seated woman in a powered blue airport wheelchair labeled “ADR Assistance.” That wheelchair is a power wheelchair with attendant control on the back. Other travelers walk or sit nearby, some with bags and one heading toward an escalator in the background. The scene shows airport mobility assistance in action under bright overhead lighting.

Rome Airports

10/23/2025

Accessibility in Action at DCA!
Craig Kennedy and Joe Gavic were recently in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport leading another round of accessibility experience sessions with American Airlines.

The training class included Customer Service Managers, Supervisors, and Ground Handling Crew Chiefs, all dedicated to learning how to better support travelers with disabilities.

We remain committed to advocating for smoother, more inclusive travel experiences for everyone.

Alt text photo description: (Left to right) Craig and Joe are in front of the group. They are sitting in their wheelchairs and actively engaged in talking with the group in front of them who are sitting in chairs in rows and listening intently.

10/15/2025

ODO travels far and wide! Recently we were in Punta Cana! The country of Dominican Republic is now officially committed to making tourism more accessible for people with disabilities. La Romana will be the model for the rest of the country.

This was a huge deal - a partnership between (from the far left) the La Romana Hotel Association, the minister of tourism, and our friend Rafael Blanco, President of Travegali. Andres Fernandez, and David Collado.

The image shows three men standing side by side in front of a blue backdrop with a circular logo and the words “UN PARAÍSO PARA TODOS” (“A paradise for everyone” in Spanish). They are all wearing light-colored shirts and holding dark folders. Several photographers and videographers are in the foreground capturing the moment. The logo behind them features a stylized human figure with outstretched arms, and there’s text in the lower left corner that appears to say “Ministerio de Turismo” (Ministry of Tourism).

10/01/2025

This September marks the 25th anniversary of Open Doors Organization and there’s no stopping now! Our September newsletter is published now! If you haven’t already subscribed, don’t forget to do so. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date on everything that we are doing out in the field. We are always moving and strive to consistently advocate for people with disabilities in the travel and tourism space. Click here to read our most recent newsletter: https://opendoorsnfp.org/newsletter-page/

Alt text photo description: A screenshot of the September 2025 Open Doors Organization newsletter. It has a note from Eric Lipp.

09/23/2025

(Sound on this video is loud)
Train Accessibility in Rome, Italy? No problem! Here is a video showing the boarding process for travelers who use wheelchairs and/or mobility devices.

Alt text video description: A traveler is assisted by train staff to board a red and white train using a mechanical lift. The lift raises the wheelchair user from the platform to the train’s entrance, where staff guide them safely inside. The video shows the entire boarding process, highlighting the accessibility features available for wheelchair travelers.

09/17/2025

Our social media manager, Sarah, is currently on vacation in Rome, Italy. We can’t wait to hear all about her trip! In the meantime, she shared a photo with us. Accessibility in Italy is certainly not perfect but we are glad to see good attempts such as this photo of a cobblestone ramp.

Alt text description: A cobblestone pathway with three short steps leading up to another level, and a side section of cobblestones creating a ramp. There’s also a signpost that reads “Largo Anna Magnani”, and in the background, a peach-colored two-story building with arches and balconies. The scene is framed by trees and grass, with clear blue sky above.

09/12/2025

Awareness and advocacy show no bounds here at Open Doors Organization. This week, our founder, Eric Lipp, represented accessibility and inclusion at the Airport Experience Summit (ASQ Forum) in Guangzhou, China. ACI World

From sharing insights on stage with international airport leaders to highlighting the role of accessibility in passenger experience, Eric brought Open Doors Organization’s mission to the global aviation community.

We are continually proud when accessibility takes center stage in conversations about the future of airports and travel worldwide.

Alt text photo description: The photo shows a professional conference panel taking place on a large stage with a modern blue backdrop. Four panelists are seated in white chairs, each with a microphone and water bottle. To the far left, Eric sits with his mobility scooter next to him and is speaking into a microphone. Next to him, a woman in a sleeveless white blouse and black pants sits attentively. The third panelist, a man in a dark suit and tie, is reading or looking down at his notes. The fourth man, also in a dark suit, is seated with one hand on his chin, appearing thoughtful. Behind them, projected text on the screen lists the names and titles of some of the speakers in both English and Chinese.

09/03/2025

Collaboration and learning took place at our annual airline symposium. Always inspiring to connect with passionate people who continue to bring new energy and ideas to the table. Thanks to all who attended!

Alt text photo description: From left to right: Anthony Corona - Consultant - Communications and Outreach; Katy O’Reilly
Director of Programs; Pat Pound - Consultant - sit together at a table in a classroom with a wall that is blue behind them. They are smiling warmly at the camera. Anthony on the left wears a blue patterned shirt. Katy in the middle wears a black top. Pat on the right wears a black-and-white patterned blouse. All three have green lanyards and event badges. On the table in front of them are laptops, notebooks, drinks, and a green catering box. In the background, other attendees are gathered in conversation near a large whiteboard.

08/29/2025

We are really looking forward to this summit! Blind Travel Foundation
Check out their website for more information! https://www.blindtravel.org/blind-travel-summit/

We are hosting the Blind Travel Summit November 13–14, 2025 at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin, Texas!

Led by Mike May—Consumer Technology Hall of Famer, Paralympian, accessibility trailblazer, and Blind Travel Foundation board member.

“This summit is a unique opportunity for conversations among active blind travelers, and travel industry experts using lived experience to consider what is possible, what works and what can be improved.”

Why attend?
An opportunity to have conversations with fellow blind travelers, tech users, and accessibility advocates
Engage in sessions with partners across rideshare, AV, air travel, hotels, apps, gear, and more.
Uber, Waymo, United, Airbnb, and more will be speaking!

Event Registration
Registration is now CLOSED. If you would like to be considered for any openings, please email Mike@BlindTravel.org to be added to the waitlist and include a few sentences about why you are interested in attending.

Early registrants will be entered into door prize drawings for FEELDOM NAVi-BADGES, Aira minutes, and AGIGA glasses.

Agenda and Speakers

https://www.blindtravel.org/blind-travel-summit-2025-agenda/

Hotel Block
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/blindtravelsummit2025/

Stay in the Loop
Join our newsletter and learn more: https://www.blindtravel.org/sign-up/

Sponsors
Huge thank you to our sponsors!
Gold Sponsors: Uber and United
Silver Sponsor: Airbnb
Bronze Sponsors: AGIGA AI , Aira, Ambutech, Feeldom Life by FEELDOM, Open Doors Organization
Virtual Sponsor: Seable Holidays
In-Kind Sponsor: Glam Canes, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Want to join them? https://www.blindtravel.org/blind-travel-summit-sponsorship/

Let’s build the future of accessible travel—together. See you in Austin!
https://www.blindtravel.org/blind-travel-summit/

08/28/2025

Earlier this month we were in Las Vegas doing work for Spirit Airlines. We observed their operations from top to bottom including check in, gate agents, ramp, and wheelchair pushing procedures.

Alt text photo description: The photo shows a yellow commercial airplane parked on the airport tarmac under a clear blue sky. The aircraft is painted in Spirit Airlines’ bright yellow livery. The plane is viewed from the front-left side, so its nose, cockpit windows, landing gear, and large left engine are clearly visible. A couple of ground crew members in safety vests are standing near the aircraft, one closer to the nose and another farther back. Orange cones are placed around the area for safety. The aircraft has a sleek, shiny finish and is identified as an Airbus A320neo by the marking near the cockpit. In the background, other airplanes and airport vehicles can be seen.

08/21/2025

Thank you to all our friends, sponsors and attendees who showed up at our 14th Annual Beyond the Waters Beach Party! It was a huge success and everyone had a blast. What a fun way to celebrate the summer days that we still have left. Thanks again to everyone who made the event possible.

Alt text photo descriptions:
Photo 1: Two people are standing in front of a white tent, having fun and smiling. There’s a white banner behind them hanging from the tent that says Beyond the Waters Beach Party Chicago.
Photo 2: 2 orange tents. The tent that is to the left of the photo says Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Adaptive Sports and Fitness across the side of the tent. There are a large number of hand cycles under the tent.
Photo 3: A person looking at the camera, making a peace sign with his hand and sitting on a hand cycle.

07/27/2025

Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA)

Open Doors Organization has always talked about how the ADA is a starting place, not a ceiling.

Pat is a consultant with Open Doors Organization (ODO) focusing on blindness related issues such as web and mobile accessibility as well as the air travel experience for travelers with vision loss and those with service dogs.

Here’s Pat’s experience of how the ADA has changed over time:

She writes, “I rarely ever found live theater with audio description for blind individuals. If I did find it, I had to make sure that I kept that evening open because it was usually only offered one time.”

Fast forward to when the ADA was in effect, she says, “I was vacationing in Chicago and called a week ahead of time to see if I could get audio description at the theater. Because of ODO and their work with the theaters, there was audio description available. However, it was not scheduled during the time I was there. The theater staff were so gracious to contact the describer and arrange for them to describe on the evening I was there. I was joined by several other people with disabilities and we were all amazed to be able to have audio description.

Thank you, ADA and thank you, Open Doors Organization!

Alt text photo description: Pat is sitting outside. She is wearing a magenta dress. Her guide dog is a black lab and is sitting to her left. She has her arm embraced around her dog.