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There are people who travel for the view, the thrill, the cuisine. Then there’s Marco Pasqua who travels to reframe what inclusion looks like, one passport stamp at a time. Marco is a Canadian accessibility consultant, inspirational speaker, and entrepreneur who’s been advocating for inclusion since childhood. Born with cerebral palsy, Marco began public speaking at just nine years old, sharing his story with the world long before accessibility became part of mainstream conversations.
Today, he’s the co-founder of Meaningful Access Consulting, where he works alongside his wife Karin to help organizations design spaces and experiences that are truly inclusive. Through his lived experience, professional expertise, and natural ability to connect with people, Marco empowers others to see accessibility not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental part of great design and of everyday life.
When Marco became a father in 2021, a quiet worry lingered beneath the joy. He wondered if his daughter would see him differently. Would she view him as “less-than” because he used a wheelchair? Would she expect less of him? From the moment Stella arrived, Marco leaned into parenting with intention and strategy. The early days came with practical challenges like figuring out how to lift a newborn out of a standard crib from a seated position. Most baby gear, after all, isn’t made with disabled parents in mind. But with the help of the Tetra Society, an innovative solution emerged. They custom-built a crib with bi-fold doors and a lifted base that allowed Marco to roll underneath and pick Stella up safely and easily. It was a functional win which cemented his role as an active parent, present and engaged from day one.
That moment of adaptation set the tone for everything that followed.
“It changed the dynamic in our household,” Marco explains. “Karin didn’t have to carry the full weight of parenting. And I could be fully there for my daughter not just watching, but participating.”
Marco and Karin run Meaningful Access Consulting together. Their mission is to help organisations and municipalities across Canada evaluate and improve the accessibility of their physical spaces from offices and community centres to universities and residential developments. Their approach targets more than ramps and elevators. It extends to the user experience: wayfinding, signage, layout, and how people with various disabilities will actually interact with a space.
Stella, now four, is part of this world too. She is listed on their website as a junior associate. Clients love it. “We’ve had companies choose us because they saw Stella on our website,” Marco laughs. “It showed them we’re living this, not just consulting on it.” The Pasquas are modelling inclusion as a lifestyle. Whether Stella is on the road with them or sitting in on calls from home, she’s absorbing a version of the world where difference is normal and access is expected.
The logistics of travel with a kid and wheels
Travelling as a family with a young child and a wheelchair in the mix requires layered planning. But for Marco and Karin, in addition to schedules and bookings, preparation includes setting expectations, particularly for Stella. Before any trip, they talk her through what’s going to happen. Using visual “social stories,” they explain everything from airport security checks to plane boarding and hotel check-ins. That way, nothing catches her off guard.
“She handles it really well,” Marco says. “And honestly, when she knows what to expect, it makes the entire trip smoother for everyone.”
Rather than immediately defaulting to screens, Marco and Karin pack colouring books, crayons and drawing pads for her. “We download some educational shows for backup, The Magic School Bus is a favourite, but we really want her to engage with the experience, not just zone out.”
A memorable journey: Two cruises, one space centre and a lot of thoughtful design
One of the most impactful trips they’ve taken was a two-week adventure that started with a cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship. The ship’s accessible design went far beyond basic requirements.
“Everything was colour-coded for easier navigation,” Marco recalls. “The elevators used a touch panel that would actually read the floor choices out loud when you hit the accessibility button. That blew me away.”
Between cruises, they road-tripped from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, stopping at the Kennedy Space Center, Marco’s childhood dream destination. The accessibility there was exceptional. Their bus had a discreet side-loading lift that allowed Marco to board with ease . . . no awkward moments, no feeling like an afterthought.
“They didn’t just accommodate me, they welcomed me,” he says. “There’s a huge difference.”
The second cruise led them to Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. Again, design details stood out: ✔️Clear signage using icons instead of words
✔️Hard-surfaced paths for wheelchair users
✔️Beach access routes that worked for both families and elderly travellers
“Accessibility isn’t just ramps,” Marco points out. “It’s being able to move through a space with confidence. That trip gave us exactly that.”
While Stella’s still young, Marco and Karin have made mental notes of destinations they’d love to revisit as a family.
✔️Bonaire: A favourite! This Caribbean island, known for its artisan community and local markets, left a lasting impression with its relaxed energy
✔️Aruba: This island also ranks high on their list, thanks to a UTV experience across desert dunes that Marco and Karin tackled together, his wheelchair strapped to the back, their route self-guided via GPS. “We did it twice. No tour guides, no schedule. Just freedom.”
The pre-flight checklist that saves the day
Years of travel have taught Marco how to anticipate problems before they happen:
✔️ He always removes sensitive parts from his wheelchair: seat cushion, brake levers, belt components, before handing it over at the gate. “I’ve had my chair come back soaked, scratched, or missing parts. You can’t leave that to chance.”
✔️He avoids relying solely on cruise lines or packaged tours for excursions. Instead, they contact local companies directly to ask detailed questions about accessibility. “If I’m going to see dolphins or explore any local things on an island, I want to know exactly what the setup is. It’s about being prepared.”
✔️Especially when long layovers are involved, they check whether the airport they’re flying through offers accessible lounges or comfort-enhancing amenities. In addition to basic seating, some airports now provide thoughtful accessibility services that can significantly improve the travel experience. For example, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) recently introduced a curbside greeting program as part of their accessibility strategy. If you arrive at the designated blue bollards outside the terminal, marked with the accessibility symbol, trained staff will proactively approach and offer assistance, even without prior notice. They can help with everything from luggage to guiding you through check-in or escorting you all the way to your gate. The service is entirely free and designed to support travelers with disabilities. It’s a small but meaningful example of how airports can rethink inclusion and a reminder to always explore what accommodations might be available before your trip.
Switzerland: The gold standard
Marco’s pick for the most surprisingly accessible destination? Switzerland.
He visited with Karin, whose family is originally from there, and was astonished at the cleanliness and consistency. Cleanliness plays a crucial role in accessibility. Clear sidewalks and roads free of garbage and obstacles make it significantly easier and safer for people with disabilities to navigate public spaces. Switzerland’s paths were free of obstacles, the accessible washrooms Marco used had the same layout everywhere, and transport was seamless. But the highlight was an accessible paragliding experience in the Swiss Alps. “Two men helped me run to the edge of a mountain and then—boom—we were in the air,” Marco recalls. “Thirty minutes of flight, with nothing but mountains below. It was the most liberating feeling I’ve ever had.”
A must-have tool for the road
Marco’s go-to device? The Firefly 2.5 by Rio Mobility, an electric attachment that turns his manual wheelchair into a powered scooter capable of reaching 30 km/h.
“It allows me to go longer distances without getting tired. It’s changed how I experience new places.”
Travel research
For research, Marco sometimes checks Curb Free with Cory Lee, a blog run by a fellow disabled traveller, and he increasingly relies on AI tools to aggregate accessibility info across platforms. “AI’s not perfect, but it gives you a head start, and then you verify from there.”
Lessons from the road
What has Stella taught Marco during these travels? “To always look for joy first,” he says. “She doesn’t see limitations, just curiosity. She reminds me not to overthink things. Just go and adjust as you need to.”
While travel has certainly made Marco more confident, it’s also shown him how much people notice, and appreciate, his family.
“Strangers stop us and say, ‘You’re a beautiful family.’ That doesn’t happen to every couple. But the wheelchair softens people. It makes them drop their guard.”
Encouragement for others
To anyone nervous about travelling with a disability, Marco offers this:
“Pre-plan what you can. Ask every question. Take your time. But don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’ You learn on the road. And you’re more capable than you’ve been led to believe.”
He’s right. Whether floating above the Alps or winning Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments (yes, he does that too), Marco isn’t waiting for the world to catch up. He’s already moving. And wherever he goes, inclusion follows.