We’re bringing the latest industry news straight to your inbox with flair - a new opportunity every week to engage with the ILCommunity as we talk about upcoming events, perks, current happenings, and everything in between.
If you missed last week’s edition, don’t forget to check out our article about The Boutique Hotel Report, INDIEConfab Jackson, & the 4th of July in Philly!
Disability Pride Month
Each July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in everyday activities, including the workplace. Travel is a luxury for many, but we believe it should be accessible to all. This Disability Pride Month, we’re discussing how hotelier and designers are making their properties truly welcoming to everyone.
Like in any building, in hotels, accessibility starts with design. Some examples of accessible design choices in hospitality spaces include: guest rooms with beds, multiple outlets, and cords at an accessible height, portable and non-slip shower seats, and information included in brochures or other printed materials written in multiple languages, in braille, and high-contrast typography for visually impaired guests. Sensory-friendly design textures and ambiance create both inclusive and aesthetically pleasing spaces, such as soft fabrics, smooth surfaces, and intentional lighting.
The need for accessibility often becomes more complicated and involved for adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects. In many cities in the U.S., historic buildings are not always required to make updates to make the space ADA compliant. Despite this, some hotelier are striving to truly welcome all patrons.
“Our mission is to create this container of belonging and different experiences, creative expression, and diverse perspectives; we can’t do that if we can’t allow people to literally and physically get in.” - Andrew Schapiro
Learn more about The Ark’s strides towards accessibility in our previous interview with owners Andrew and Bosco.
Guests who need additional accommodations often understand the work that goes into making a space accessible for them. These guests are appreciative and likely to return to a space that makes them feel truly welcome and safe. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2022, 18.6 million Americans aged 5 and older self-reported as having travel-limiting disabilities.
Thanks to social media and the rise of travel influencers, it is easier than ever before for travelers to get firsthand accounts about where they did and did not feel welcome as travelers with limited mobility or other conditions. Cory Lee (@curbfreecorylee) has been making content and spreading information about accessible travel for over the last decade. In his own words, his goal with his content is to “show you how to travel, where to travel, and most importantly, why travel as a person with a disability.” Cory has also started The Curb Free Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides travel grants to wheelchair users.
Carrie-Ann Lightley is a UK-based disabled travel writer, speaker, and accessibility consultant. TravMedia UK voted her this year’s Diversity Champion of the Year. In celebration of disability pride month, Carrie-Ann proclaimed on Instagram:
2026’s theme for Disability Pride Month is “The World Works Better With Us,” selected by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates (NCSA). This statement encapsulates the disability-led advocacy and design choices that lead to positive change for disabled individuals and communities. Accessibility in travel goes beyond physical access but also access for those with “invisible conditions,” such as being partially sighted or blind. Acknowledgment of disabled communities and their accommodations is not just hot in the present, but an incredibly important development in hospitality that continues to adapt and improve through time.
Let’s get personal. This section features a weekly ‘ILC Three’ where we highlight three things that are on the top of our overstimulated minds.
The deadline for ILC’s annual Indie Awards is rapidly approaching! Nomination submissions close on Monday, July 13th, and our team looks forward to seeing who will be the winners for 2026. Nominations are free to submit and open to the public. Acknowledge a property, business, or person you admire using the link below.
For the ILC Three this week, we want to highlight three of our previous winners from 2025 to showcase their achievements and unique categories.
2025 Best Independent Hotel - From check-in to check-out, this hotel sets the standard for independent hotels, with elite service and impeccable amenities.
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Fidelity Hotel pays homage to Cleveland’s ideals and stays true to their place of origin. Located just steps from shopping, dining, concerts, and sporting events, the Fidelity offers ample opportunities for both business and leisure and welcomes guests as a natural gathering place. Each stay marries an atmosphere of elegance with modern comfort.
Indie Rebel - A leader who spearheads new projects with ease; they are known for eccentric or inventive ideas; either way, they’re challenging the norm.
Brigette Harenda founded her studio, B&Co., in 2008 with intentionality set towards creating a hospitality branding firm. Coming from a hotelier background, Harenda traded her branding work for a percentage of The Iron Horse Hotel, where she fell in love with the hospitality industry. Ever since, she leads B&Co. with a strong commitment to creating client joy, while also understanding the investment and significance of unique and bold branding.
Best Tech Innovation - A tech company or advancement that has improved experiences for guests, hoteliers, and GMs across the board.
Acting as an extension of your operations team, Maison is the hotel virtual concierge system expertly trained to engage in natural conversations with guests through your website. This sophisticated and 24/7 available chatbot handles everything from detailed inquiries to tailored recommendations, thus leading to an elevated guest experience and service standards.
Our team is based in Philadelphia, PA, and this portion of our newsletter is set to provide updates on our local hospitality scene, our host cities, and members of our community who are doing interesting things in their city.
Tying things back to Disability Pride Month, let’s take a look at our hometown. Philadelphia’s accessibility compliance services work to ensure disabled residents and visitors have the same rights that are available to all Philadelphians. We are the City of Brotherly Love, after all.
Through the Philadelphia Office for People with Disabilities, the ADA Events Policy was developed, which ensures that all sponsored events and meetings held in Philly are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This policy recognizes that at events and meetings sponsored by the City of Philadelphia, any member of the public with disabilities must be able to:
Obtain information about the meeting or event
Use the meeting location via an accessible route
Find and use accessible parking/loading zones
Be able to fully participate in the program; and
Use public toilets, water fountains, first aid stations, and other amenities.
These accommodations extend from hotels to historic sites and museums, restaurants, and transportation services. If you’re visiting Philadelphia soon and looking for a comprehensive list of accessibility resources, please check out this excellent Guide to Accessible Philadelphia created by VisitPhilly.com.
Our team at ILC wishes all disabled individuals a happy Disability Pride Month and excitedly anticipates a future full of spaces that account for all guests.
Thanks for reading! Let’s keep the conversation going. See you in October for our INDIECongress in Miami, FL.
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