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New Vrbo Features Help Travelers With Disabilities

With summer on the horizon, vacation season is in full swing — but for many travelers with disabilities, planning a trip can still come with major roadblocks. Vrbo is working to change that.

This month, the popular vacation rental platform rolled out a suite of new accessibility features. They are designed to help travelers with disabilities find homes that better meet their vacation needs.

From improved search filters to a new educational partnership, Vrbo says it’s taking steps toward making vacation planning more inclusive.

“Travel is for everyone — and that includes people with disabilities, who are still wildly underserved,” said Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Vrbo. “We’re hoping to show hosts that small changes can have a big impact.”

These advancements come from a partnership with “Becoming rentABLE,” a platform founded by Lorraine Woodward — a lifelong wheelchair user and advocate. Vrbo is now offering both tools and training to help hosts understand and implement accessibility in their rental properties.

Before the update, Vrbo only offered basic filters like “wheelchair accessible” or “elevator.” Now, guests can filter for properties that are single-level, have step-free entries, accessible parking, pools with handrails, entrance ramps, roll-in showers and more.

As Lorraine Woodward reminds us, “Accessible travel isn’t a luxury. It’s freedom. It’s dignity. And everyone deserves that.”

Vrbo says it will track how hosts use the new filters and training to help guide future updates and continue making travel more inclusive.

This article has information from the Disability Scoop and Expedia Group.