Airbnb Introduces Updates To Make It Easier For Guests With Disabilities

New accessibility review process

In this new review process, hosts can simply submit photos of their property’s accessibility features like ramped entries, wide doorways, bathroom grab bars, and more. A specialized team of Airbnb agents then manually review and approve said features if they meet certain standards. The new process benefits hosts as it ensures a much simpler and faster way to get confirmation, and at the same time, helps them display their accessibility features more accurately.

This will, of course, be advantageous for people with disabilities as well as it would provide them with clearer information about the property thus, helping them determine if it meets their special needs.

Currently, Airbnb agents have already reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of 100,000 accessibility features in 25,000 homes around the world.

Improved search filters

Airbnb has also updated the platform to provide easier and quicker ways to find suitable accommodations for people with disabilities. The filters include:

• Step-free guest entrance
• Step-free path to the guest entrance
• Guest entrance wider than 32 inches (81,28 cm)
• Accessible parking spot
• Step-free bedroom access
• Bedroom entrance wider than 32 inches (81,28 cm)
• Step-free bathroom access
• Bathroom entrance wider than 32 inches (81,28 cm)
• Shower grab bar
• Toilet grab bar
• Step-free shower
• Shower or bath chair
• Ceiling or mobile hoist

All of these new filters highlight specific details that inform guests about a property’s accessibility features. These ensure a simpler and faster way to find accommodations with such features and, at the same time, ensure accurate searches that are especially beneficial for people with specific needs.

Airbnb Experiences accessibility

Experiencing a travel destination is, of course, more than just staying in nice accommodation. That’s why Airbnb is also adding filters for Experiences–now, tours, culinary experiences, skills classes, and other exciting activities are much more inclusive.

New filters include accessibility features, which guests can now clearly see on each Experience’s page. Guests can take advantage of these to easily pick out their specific specialized needs when searching and booking Airbnb Experiences.

With that, Experiences hosts must now submit a detailed written description of each of these accessibility features:

• Accessible parking spot
• Mainly flat or leveled ground
• No steps or stairs
• Accessible bathroom
• Sign language
• Deaf aware techniques
• Designated sighted guide
• Audio/verbal information
• No extreme sensory stimuli
• Quiet retreat space
• Free admission for people assisting guests with disabilities

Creating a more inclusive world one filter at a time

Airbnb is all about creating a more inclusive world that each one of us can fully appreciate. With the help of these new features, individuals with special needs can actively participate in every aspect of looking for their travel accommodations and experience destinations to the fullest extent possible.