Airbnb Highlights New Accessibility Filters and Features for Guests with Disabilities Worldwide

Airbnb today highlighted the release of 21 new accessibility filters across the platform that make it easier for guests with disabilities to find accessible travel accommodation worldwide. The new filters allow Airbnb guests to search for listings with specific features, including step-free entry to rooms, entryways that are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and more. Previously, guests on Airbnb were only able to search for ‘‘wheelchair accessible’ listings, which did not always meet travelers’ individual needs.

Today’s announcement comes as Srin Madipalli, Accessibility Product and Program Manager at Airbnb, continues his work to meet with Airbnb hosts and guests to ensure Airbnb meets their accessibility needs. Last week, after meeting with hosts and guests in Korea, Madipalli joined the Paralympic Torch Relay.

As a person with disabilities and passionate traveler, I am hugely excited by the changes we’re making at Airbnb. With these new filters, we are making it easier for everyone to share their adapted homes with travelers with disabilities around the world. Our mission is to enable anyone to belong anywhere, regardless of disability.

Srin Madipalli, Accessibility Product and Program Manager at Airbnb

The introduction of the new filters is one in a series of steps Airbnb is taking to ensure its community is accessible for everyone. In 2017, Airbnb started collaborating with the California Council of the Blind, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and National Council on Independent Living to develop the accessibility filters, and to improve and clarify its accessibility policies. In late 2017, Airbnb also acquired Accomable, the London-based accessible travel startup founded in 2015 by Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley – two friends with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the UK. Accomable linked travelers with disabilities with listings that met their needs.

Going forward, Airbnb will be working closely with its community of hosts and guests to ensure the new filters offer information which is as useful and accurate as possible, with the aim to improve and expand the filters to ensure they support as many travelers as possible.

“The introduction of the new accessibility features and filters to all hosts and guests is just the first stage in our journey to improve accessibility at Airbnb,” added Madipalli. “We encourage everyone to use them and send through their feedback.”

Organizations from around the world outlined their support of the new accessibility filters and Airbnb’s commitment to improving accessibility across the platform:

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has been working with Airbnb on developing these filters to give input directly from people with disabilities. We are very pleased to see this work progressing and look forward to continuing our work together with Airbnb to further improve the services to travelers with disabilities.

Kelly Buckland, Executive Director, NCIL (USA)

We applaud any business that makes its products available to more people, and we welcome Airbnb’s announcement. Travel accommodations should be accessible for people with disabilities, and efforts like these help remove unnecessary barriers. We look forward to seeing this new policy put into action.

Vanita Gupta, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

The California Council of the Blind applauds Airbnb for working with us and CFILC on clarifying issues of accessibility for people with physical disabilities as well as with service animals. We especially want to acknowledge Airbnb’s eagerness to cooperate in resolving these issues.

Judy Wilkinson, President of the California Council of the Blind

At AbleThrive, we believe in living life to the fullest and ensuring people with disabilities and their families have the tools they need to thrive. Travel is a passion for many in our community, yet many face frustrating challenges planning a trip. We are thrilled that Airbnb has gone beyond the standard ‘wheelchair accessible’ filter to include more than 20 new filters that more accurately convey the accessibility of the listing. It’s about time that travelers with disabilities can make informed decisions based on their unique accessibility needs, whether they need a roll in shower or just step free access. This is a great first step to making travel more inclusive for all and it’s refreshing to see this attention on accessibility in the mainstream.

Brittany Déjean, Founder and CEO at AbleThrive (USA)

At FISH, we passionately believe in the right for anyone with a disability to be able to enjoy travel. We are working closely with Airbnb to design, promote and develop joint initiatives on accessibility across Italy. We see Airbnb’s 21 new accessibility filters as an important first step to enable people with disabilities to find travel accommodation which suits their needs and to offer travellers greater choice. It’s important for all companies to start reassessing how they work with people with disabilities. By making these changes, Airbnb is not only making its platform more accessible but it’s also raising awareness around disability and helping to bring about greater inclusion in society.

Federazione Italiana Superamento dell’Handicap (FISH), President Vincenzo Falabella

Handicap International is very proud to be working with Airbnb on inclusion. We are providing our expertise in accessibility and raising awareness of the importance of welcoming people with all types of disabilities. This partnership is now bearing fruit, since the Airbnb platform now offers numerous filters to enable people to find homes which fit their needs. The new filters also put the spotlight on inclusion in travel – something which is a major issue for disabled people worldwide. It can be extremely difficult for people with disabilities to travel, so this is a great foundation to build upon, so that holidays can be accessible to all.

Manuel Patrouillard, Managing Director, Humanity & Inclusion | Handicap International

Revitalise wholeheartedly welcomes the move from Airbnb to launch a new range of accessible search filters. As the largest provider of respite holidays for disabled people in the UK, we know the impact a holiday has on our guests. Too many disabled people go without a holiday because they simply can’t find anywhere that can provide what they need. Holidays are vitally important to everyone, to our relationships with those close to us, to our lust for life, and to our ability to cope with our daily challenges. It is heartwarming to see a huge international holiday brand like Airbnb grappling with how to make them more accessible for disabled people.

CEO, Chris Simmonds, Revitalise.org (UK)

Modern Flat in London, UK

Airbnb host, Toby, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, whose light, modern home is a stone’s throw from the Thames and Chelsea Harbour and the attractions of central London. Fully wheelchair accessible, the ground floor apartment has an en-suite wet room with roll-in shower, easy-access kitchen, low light switches and wide doors.
Sunny Paradise Villa in Côte d’Azur, France

Set in beautiful rolling Provençal countryside, this traditional five-bedroom family villa has been adapted with ramp access to the ground floor, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom with a wide roll-in shower. Guests can enjoy the expansive gardens of lavender, a swimming pool, petanque and access to tennis courts.
Botanical Artist’s Studio in Putney, Vermont, USA

On hot summer days, cool off in the outdoor shower and sit out on the deck at this quirky yet elegant accessible home attached to a botanical art studio. Cleverly designed with a ramp to the front door and an indoor step-free bathroom, the home is light and spacious, with arched ceilings, large windows, and the host’s botanical art lining the walls.
Casa Peixe in Odemira, Portugal

Set in the hills overlooking Portugal’s wild Alentejo coast, this cozy eco-cottage is ideal for a couple looking to relax. Airbnb host, Cornelia, designed Casa Peixe to be accessible to disabled guests or anyone with a mobility issue, offering level access, a roll-in shower, and gradual pool access, which can be entered using a wheelchair.
Lakeshore Villa in Kangasniemi, Finland

Perched on a lake and surrounded by forest, this stylish four-bedroom wooden cabin built in the Scandinavian-style has a huge, accessible wraparound terrace to soak up the views. The ground floor is completely level, with one wheelchair accessible bedroom and a bathroom with a roll-in shower and chair.
Eco-Friendly Cave House in Tenerife, Spain

Tucked away on Tenerife’s wild and little-visited northern coast, this cool, design-led home, built into a cave, is set on a farm with access to gardens and a swimming pool. The ground floor is step-free and includes a wheelchair accessible bedroom with a Smart TV and roll-in shower, with a mezzanine level for two extra guests.
Colosseum Vacation Home in Rome, Italy

Just moments away from the Colosseum, Airbnb host Salvatore welcomes guests to a unique accessible retreat in the heart of Rome. Level access is via a pretty courtyard which leads into the spacious, newly modernized home, with one bedroom and bathroom that have been specifically converted for guests with a disability or mobility issue.
Central Ski Apartment in Chamonix, France

Airbnb host, Anastasia, is parent to two children, one of whom is disabled, and ensures her new home is accessible to disabled people and families with young children. Just five minutes from the Aiguille du Midi ski lift in lively Chamonix, the ground floor ski apartment has two step-free bedrooms, a wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll-in shower, TV, washing machine, bike room, garden, ski locker and garage.
Luxurious Home in Barwon Heads, Australia

Just off the Great Ocean Road, close to the beaches of Barwon Heads, this architect-designed home oozes style with a gourmet kitchen, log fire and lovely extras such as picnic blankets, toys, and hot water bottles. It has an accessible design too, with step-free access throughout, a roll-in shower and adaptive equipment, such as shower chairs, grab bar, and toilet assist attachments.
Villa Kaliva in Cape Town, South Africa

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, Villa Kaliva is a spectacular new designer retreat with panoramic views over glitzy Camps Bay. Set around a large pool, the open plan home is on a single level, with a beautiful bathroom that includes floor to ceiling windows and a roll-in shower, as well as wide lift access from street level.