Wheel the World, a leader in travel solutions for people with disabilities, designated New York’s Dutchess County with a Verified Destination certification, giving travelers access to accurate accessibility information for county hotels, activities and restaurants. On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at an event held at Heritage Financial Park, home of the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team, Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) recognized the 50 county hotels, restaurants, and attractions that were assessed by Wheel the World, leading to the accessibility seal of approval. DTI is one of 17 in the U.S., and the only New York State destination organization, with the Verified Destination designation. The milestone is part of their broader Accessible Dutchess initiative, which aims to evaluate, develop, and promote accessible travel experiences within the county.

“Ahead of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and during Disability Pride Month, DTI reaffirms its commitment to strive for greater accessibility for all travelers," said Melaine Rottkamp, president and CEO of Dutchess Tourism, Inc. "While we aren’t claiming perfect accessibility for everyone in Dutchess, we are proud to share the progress we’ve made and celebrate the collective effort between tourism partners and county government in order to inspire other destinations to begin their journey. Even the smallest changes can make a big impact.”

“Tourism done right happens by design, not default. Dutchess Tourism is once again setting a new best practice standard for 'tourism done right.' Their collaboration with Wheel the World and local hospitality businesses has earned them the 2024 New York State Tourism Excellence in Equity and Inclusion Award for fostering a more welcoming experience for diverse audiences including customers, visitors, employees and guests,” praised Bob Provost, president & CEO, New York State Tourism Industry Association. “They have set an example that I hope many other New York State destinations will follow." 

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York State is home to an impressive collection of world-class attractions accessible to visitors of all abilities. Dutchess Tourism's efforts complement I LOVE NY's Accessible Tourism initiative, and we applaud their work to promote experiences available to all travelers. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Dutchess Tourism to let all travelers know what incredible destinations and wonderful opportunities await them, making it so easy to love New York."

With funding support from Dutchess County Government, as part of the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative, which has expanded with County Executive Sue Serino’s ThinkAccessible initiative, DTI contracted Wheel the World, a travel solution for people with disabilities, to provide on-site assessments highlighting positive areas of accessibility standards as well as actionable insights for improvement. Online training through Wheel the World Academy was also provided to teach partners how to offer the best inclusive service for guests with diverse disabilities and accessibility needs. There were no costs for businesses to participate.

Attractions and restaurants were evaluated on more than 100, and hotels on over 200 accessibility features, ranging from obstacle-free areas to bed heights to signage, in order to better accommodate guests with mobility, vision, hearing, sensory, and other needs. Travelers can build a personal profile on Wheel the World’s website, matching them up with the assessed accommodations and attractions that meet their needs.

Wheel the World COO & Co-Founder Camilo Navarro stated "Dutchess is a world-class example of a Wheel the World Destination Verified Partner. Their commitment to closing the gap in accessibility is spectacular. Not only have we worked with 50 of their local partners to raise accessibility information and make it available for those with accessibility needs, but they have also provided grants for those partners to take action to improve the accessibility of their infrastructure. If every organization would do that, we would have a more accessible world."

Through a competitive process, DTI awarded eight microgrants of nearly $19,000 to help make improvements identified in their assessments. These sites included the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association, Curry Estate, the Fisher Center at Bard College, Fishkill Farms, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Trevor Zoo, and the Walkway Over the Hudson. From assisted-listening devices to wheelchairs and accessible picnic tables to emergency pull-cord systems and grab bars, local attractions have made strides in making accessibility and safety a priority.

Enhancing the travel experience for all visitors, including individuals with disabilities, has been a priority for DTI, aligning with the county government’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative, launched in 2015. "Ensuring accessibility is about more than just compliance — it's about innovation and empathy," said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “We are proud that Dutchess County is the first in New York State to earn the “Wheel the World” designation verification, and we will continue to encourage local municipalities and businesses to think outside the box in making creative and meaningful improvements for those with disabilities, creating a more inclusive community where everyone can thrive.”

According to MMGY Global’s “Portraits of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility and Accessibility” report, travelers with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion annually on travel and take leisure trips as frequently as those without mobility issues. The study also found that 81% of respondents emphasized the importance of promoting accessibility and lodging options to attract visitors with mobility disabilities. To better reach this underserved market and provide a valuable resource, DTI created a hub and reoccurring blog series on their website highlighting Accessible Travel attractions and events. 

Accessible Dutchess | Wheel the World Participating Sites

Bardavon 1869 Opera House
Best Western Inn at the Falls
Comfort Suites Fishkill
Curry Estate (Inn and Restaurant Six)
Dassai Blue Sake Brewery
Dia Beacon
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Dutchess County Rail Trail
Eastdale Village Town Center
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Fisher Center at Bard
Fishkill Farms
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
Hampton Inn & Suites Poughkeepsie
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Heritage Financial Park
Hilton Garden Inn Fishkill
Holiday Inn Express Poughkeepsie
Homewood Suites Poughkeepsie
Hyatt House Fishkill
Industrial Arts Brewing Company
King’s Court Brewing Company
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
MJN Convention Center 
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Quality Inn & Suites Fishkill
Quality Inn & Suites Hyde Park
Residence Inn Fishkill
Residence Inn Poughkeepsie
Shadows on the Hudson
Spins Bowl Poughkeepsie
Spins Bowl Wappingers
SpringHill Suites Fishkill
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
The Beatrix Farrand Garden
The Dutchess Inn & Spa
The Factory at Sloop Brewing
The Grandview
The Inn at Bellefield
The Millbrook Inn
The Roundhouse (Inn and Restaurant)
Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School
Troutbeck
Val-Kill
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Walkway Over the Hudson State Park
Zeus Brewing Company