World Cup, Travel and Disability Inclusion: Is Hospitality Ready?

Alycia Anderson welcomes Meaghan Walls, CEO of the Center for Disability Inclusion and President/CEO of Assistology, to discuss accessibility and universal design in hospitality as the World Cup approaches Kansas City. They explore how events, restaurants, hotels, transportation, seating, and ticketing technology can leave people with disabilities out, and why businesses often view access as a burden instead of a missed opportunity—despite significant spending in travel and entertainment. Meaghan shares examples of inaccessible venue restrooms, the importance of going beyond basic ADA compliance, and a business that renovated after realizing lost event revenue. They also discuss dignity and operational details in restaurants, inclusive hiring practices and job descriptions, and invite listeners to the hybrid Disability Inclusion Summit on September 24 in Kansas City or online. Big Ideas for Better Welcome 🌍 Global events must be accessible from the start 🏨 Hospitality should mean welcome for everyone ♿ Accessibility is more than ADA compliance 🎟️ Disabled guests deserve choice, dignity, and equal access to fun 🚻 Restrooms, seating, ticketing, and wayfinding can make or break the experience 💡 Access is a business opportunity, not a burden 🍽️ Restaurant design impacts dignity, independence, and belonging 💬 The question every business should ask: “Who does this not work for?” 👥 Inclusive hospitality includes both customers and employees 🧠 Mindset, policy, and operations matter just as much as physical design 📣 Disability inclusion creates better experiences for all visitors 🤝 Sustainable inclusion requires collaboration, community, and lived experience Quotes from Meaghan - Small Lines, Big Access Energy “There’s been such a long history of perception that creating access is a financial burden versus an opportunity.” ~ Meaghan Walls “Every first-time visitor to a space is disabled by the limits of the information that they’re provided when they get there.” ~ Meaghan Walls “If your employees can’t access the systems, the environments, the processes, or the technology, you’re also missing out on a huge talent pool.” ~ Meaghan Walls Jump Into the Moments That Matter 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:25 Meet Meaghan Walls 02:31 World Cup Accessibility Urgency 05:53 Seating Choice and Dignity 11:23 Beyond ADA Compliance 14:01 Designing for Everyone 16:24 Digital Barriers and Ticketing 18:56 DineAble Restaurant Stories 24:06 Inclusion as Business Opportunity 25:05 Disability Hiring and Talent 28:44 CDI and Summit Details 33:52 Pushing Forward Moment 34:48 Closing and Next Episode Connect with Meaghan Walls 🌐 Assistology: https://assistologyomaha.com/ ♿ Center for Disability Inclusion: https://centerfordisabilityinclusion.... 💼 LinkedIn:   / meaghanmfitzgerald   Connect with Alycia 🌐 Website: https://alyciaanderson.com/ 🎙️ Podcast: https://alyciaanderson.com/podcast 💼 LinkedIn:   / alyciaanderson   📸 Instagram:   / alyciaanderson   About Pushing Forward with Alycia Pushing Forward with Alycia gives disability a voice through conversations about accessibility, inclusion, ambition, resilience, leadership, and creating a more inclusive world for all people. Subscribe, like, and share to help push the conversation forward. #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility #Hospitality #AccessibleTravel #InclusiveDesign #ADA #UniversalDesign #PushingForwardWithAlycia #AlyciaAnderson #MeaghanWalls