Why Destinations Should Embrace Accessible Adventure Travel Now

Rugged peaks, deep forests, dramatic dunes. Now, picture all of that—but accessible. That is how the creative minds on the Oregon Coast are reimagining their destination. “The Oregon Coast is fondly called ‘The People’s Coast,’ thanks to Oregon’s unique law that ensures the entire coast is open to the public forever,” said Arica Sears, Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) Deputy Director. Tourism and community leaders alike have taken the nickname to heart, championing efforts in inclusive access. 

One in six visitors to the Oregon Coast has a disability, according to the 2022 Oregon Visitor Profile. These visitors have diverse needs, ranging from mobility and sensory accommodations, to other support measures for invisible disabilities. In addition to having a right to more inclusive experiences on trips, travelers also need greater access to information in the trip planning process. 

OCVA is partnering with GLP Films in order to share visual representations of their initiatives with the growing number of travelers who need access to inclusive travel options. “We are working to tell the story of Oregon’s accessible coast to travelers from near and far,” said Arica Sears. “We want people with disabilities to know that we are ready and excited to welcome them to our destination.”

After having conversations with disability advocates and tourism officials about what the Oregon Coast has done and could do to welcome disabled travelers, the GLP Films team got to see these initiatives in person while capturing content for the OCVA accessible travel campaign. We visited the North, Central, and South Coast for a glimpse of the diversity this 363-mile stretch of land has to offer. Locals and travelers with lived experience with disability met with us to share their experience, not only giving others a chance to see someone that looks like them in the campaign films and photos, but also lending their voices to provoke change in our travel industry.

One couple who lent their time and voice was Jim and Jean Novitsky. We met Jim and Jean on the sprawling sands of Heceta Beach in Florence, Oregon. Avid travelers with a longstanding tradition of visiting a beach every weekend, the couple had been here more times than they could count. But when Jim was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, they weren’t sure if it was even possible to continue living life in the active way that they had grown to love.

On the day of our shoot, two years after Jim’s diagnosis, he sped off on an all-terrain wheelchair, leaving members of our film crew running in a train behind him. He was using an ActionTrack Chair provided by David’s Chair, a local non-profit that rents out these costly wheelchairs for free. Rolling over drift wood and autumnal ocean debris, Jim swerved into the intertidal zone, allowing the ocean sprays to splash his face and his feet. “I like being on the West Coast,” said Jim. “And the West Coast, to me, means the ocean. So when I get here, I feel at home.” Jean walked towards him at her own pace, explaining how this program gave them both their independence back—while also encouraging their travel as a couple.

Another eye-opening experience came when we had an unplanned meeting with some coastal travelers. We were meeting representatives from Lincoln City at Taft Waterfront Park to learn about their efforts to create a more accessible environment. They shared their initiatives, such as reservable EnChroma glasses for individuals with color blindness and plans for an inclusive playground. As we chatted, we noticed three women approaching the entrance. They were visiting from New Mexico, taking their annual “girls trip.” Two of them had never been to the Oregon Coast, and one had mobility impairments. Although they weren’t sure if she would be able to access the beach, they planned to stick together no matter what. 

But Lincoln City had planned for such visitors. There are two large lockers at the entrance of Taft Waterfront Park, each holding fat tire beach wheelchairs that can roll in the sand without getting stuck. They are rentable for free for anyone who downloads the app by scanning the QR code on the front of the locker. We met the women here, and witnessed their excitement over this welcomed surprise. They giddily took turns pushing their friend in the wheelchair, helping her stand up at the shore. 

After saying goodbye, we saw the group take a second trip to the shore via the beach’s Mobi Mats—portable non-slip mats that are popping up all along the Oregon Coast. These mats smoothen surfaces, not only giving access to individuals with mobility challenges, but simply making beach strolls more comfortable for all. We saw people with a range of abilities making use of the mats—from those using beach wagons and children’s strollers, to individuals with visual impairments avoiding slippery sea life and those with invisible disabilities choosing to preserve their energy by walking on the flattened surface.

We encountered this pattern again and again on the Oregon Coast. Designs that accommodate a range of abilities ultimately benefit everyone. Many of the forward-thinking leaders on the coast are passionate advocates for this approach, including Jeanne Sprague of Lincoln City Parks and Recreation. “We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate in outdoor recreation on public lands. They have a need for it and they have a right for it,” said Jeanne. She later explained, “Accessible recreation follows the ADA law, which has mandates that you need to follow. And a lot of it focuses on mobility. Inclusive design for recreation is not mandated. It does go an extra step above accessibility. And how it does that is it looks at a design that’s more universal.”

Universal Design is the concept of creating environments and experiences that are accessible, usable, and beneficial to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds from the outset. It ensures that everyone—regardless of differing physical or cognitive abilities—can interact with them comfortably and effectively. By considering diverse user needs in the design process, this approach reduces the need for specialized adaptations or retrofitting, making designs more equitable overall. 

The need for equitable access is more urgent than we might realize. Globally, around 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world population, experience significant disabilities (WHO). As our growing population continues to age and live longer, this number is expected to rise markedly. According to the 2020 Open Doors Organization Market Study, 70% of disabled people have taken at least one trip. Disabled people are traveling, and would travel more if destinations catered to this demand. Investing in accessible travel by planning with Universal Design is both the right decision on behalf of travelers, and destinations themselves. 

For OCVA, the connection between accessibility and their broader destination goals is clear. “The People’s Coast” is made of fragile ecosystems that depend on visitor stewardship. “You can’t care about something you’ve never connected to. You can’t care about something you’ve never visited before, you don’t know about,” said Ava Paloma, who works at an Oregon conservation and tourism nonprofit, and also experiences a disability.

In this industry, we know travel is powerful. It allows us to learn from each other and the world, and in turn, care about those things more deeply. What we found in Oregon went beyond a thoughtfulness around accessibility; it was the cultivation of a culture of inclusivity. While not every space has actualized that vision yet, the ongoing dialogue between community members, travelers, and tourism leaders centers these goals. With OCVA leading the charge, “The People’s Coast” is setting this example for other destinations, reminding us that access to our planet is a right, and inclusion is a must.

About GLP Films

GLP Films (GLP), is an award-winning, full-service content marketing agency dedicated to sustainable tourism. As trusted partners with over 15 years of industry experience, we work with mission-based brands and destinations to strategically craft impactful storytelling and marketing campaigns that inspire travelers, engage trade, and drive positive change. Our stories are crafted to help our clients reach their goals centered around stewardship, sustainability, conservation, and nature-based climate solutions.

Recently voted the Regenerative Storyteller of the Year (2023) by Regenerative Travel, and the #1 Storytelling Agency by Newsweek Magazine, our team thrives on helping destinations succeed as sustainability leaders and pioneers in this exciting new travel era.