Airbnb’s Adapted category lets you search for homes with wheelchair ramps and more.
airbnb
One of the most frequent questions I get from readers and colleagues is about companies that they think are doing a good job when it comes to accessibility. The usual answers apply: Apple, Google, Microsoft. These are examples of companies that have the resources (and deep pockets to match) to regularly invest in building the best accessibility software. Another example is Airbnb. Airbnb’s efforts in this area have largely remained under the radar. Outside of apps and websites, accessibility isn’t traditionally associated with hospitality companies. In fact, for Airbnb, accessibility to the physical world is just as important as digital presence.
In a blog post published last week, the San Francisco-based company shared tips for making travel more enjoyable for everyone, as well as updates on its Adapted category, which it launched last year. Airbnb says the category, which lets users search for homes with step-free entrances, for example, has been searched more than 5 million times and has more than 1,100 listings worldwide. Additionally, Suzanne Edwards, Airbnb’s Head of Accessibility Hosting Standards, shared some tips for both guests and hosts to make travel more accessible and enjoyable. She recommended contacting hosts, reading reviews, and posting photos on your listing.
In a new interview with me this week, conducted via video conference, Edwards explained that the Adapted category, whose features are being validated through a partnership with Matterport, is “a really great source of inspiration for people with mobility needs who want to find something that works for them.” She pointed to the aforementioned statistic about millions of searches and said that adaptive travel needs are something that is “clearly in demand” from the company’s users.
Edwards said Airbnb has “really great relationships” with its hosts, and said the company has made a concerted effort to interact with hosts through community events and other locations throughout the year. From an accessibility standpoint, Edwards said hosts are ready and willing to make accommodations in their homes to help guests with disabilities feel included and welcome. According to her, choice is a big part of the adaptation category because it reflects individual preference. “We want to find somewhere.” [to stay] “It’s not just functional for our needs, it’s in line with our tastes and preferences,” Edwards said.
Overall, Edwards said accessibility has been and continues to be one of Airbnb’s key priorities. Accessibility is evergreen, and Edwards said, “We will always take this area very seriously because it’s core to our business and so important to this area.” [disability] “She added that because there are more than a billion people on the planet who identify as having some kind of disability, there will always be room for more supply to meet the demand of people with disabilities. In this context, this virtually unlimited opportunity means that Airbnb has a long runway to further innovate. Edwards said one way the company can do this going forward is by encouraging others in the travel and hospitality industries to embrace accessibility and inclusivity. In short, Airbnb recognizes that it cannot and should not go it alone in expanding accessibility.
“It’s really important for us to keep making waves and keep the conversation going.” [on accessibility] So that people understand how important this is [disability] “The community is there, and it’s really important that we serve their needs,” Edwards said of Airbnb’s ethos around accessibility. “It’s something that we really prioritize as a company, and I’m really proud of the work that we’re doing to continue to prioritize that. I think myself and the rest of the team are very proud of that. [we] We always continue to drive this internally, raise the bar, and keep thinking about how we can improve our products and enhance the experience for our guests and host communities with disabilities. ”
Airbnb’s latest post is as lively as the one it wrote in mid-May to commemorate World Accessibility Awareness Day. The story was covered in this column, which featured a statement provided to me by Mr. Edwards’ colleague and Global Head of Organizing, Catherine Powell.
