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Cover of Mélange Accessible Journeys magazine, January 2024 edition. The cover features a smiling woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black turtleneck and a heart-shaped necklace. She is making the sign for 'I love you' in American Sign Language. The title reads 'SILENT Adventures: Deaf Travellers on the go!' Presented in partnership with TravelAbility

January 2024

In this issue:

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Silent Adventures: Deaf Travellers On The Go!

A smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair and a black turtleneck top is taking a selfie indoors. She is wearing a silver heart locket necklace and silver hoop earrings, and she is holding her hand up in the "I love you" sign. A decorative white floral relief on a wall serves as the background.

Guest Editor’s Note

By Angela Lynn

Hello everyone, I’m delighted to welcome you all to the Winter edition of Accessible Journeys. I come from the fabulous city of Las Vegas, a place that never fails to excite visitors and residents alike! It’s a city known for its vibrant entertainment scene and I cherish the fact that it offers everything one could desire.  

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A headshot of a smiling Blonde woman with blue eyes, wearing a white crocheted or lace top. Her long hair is parted in the middle and falls over her shoulders. She is posed outdoors in front of a vertical wooden slat fence or wall.

Communication is a two-way street

By Nancy Baye

This issue was steered by Guest Editor Angela Lynn, who navigated us through the world of auditory challenges, and how they affect travel. When she used the term people with abilities, I felt that zing of empowerment—focus on ability, not disability. 

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A woman with long, brown-to-blonde ombré hair, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, poses indoors. She has red lipstick on and is making a kissing face while holding her right hand up in the "I love you" sign (or "rock on" sign). She is wearing large, decorative silver earrings and long, beaded gold necklaces. In the blurry background, there is an ornate, cream-colored cabinet and a clock.

Empowering, inclusive travel tips for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind travellers in a hearing world

By Angela Lynn

Here are eight empowering travel tips for people with abilities who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and/or DeafBlind, especially when travelling in a hearing world or in locations with minimal accessibility.

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A small model of a white airplane with a blue tail is flying above the word TIPS, which is spelled out in large, white, dimensional letters resting on a dark surface. The background is a solid, dark grey or black, making the airplane and text stand out. This image suggests advice or helpful hints related to air travel or flying.

Travel tips for Hearing People meeting Deaf people

By Angela Lynn

For hearing people, meeting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind people when travelling can be a positive experience. When travelling solo, I often blend in seamlessly like anyone else.

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A middle-aged woman with light brown, wavy hair and tortoiseshell glasses is smiling faintly while wearing a white shirt. She is standing outdoors on a bright day, directly in front of a sparkling blue ocean or large lake, with the water filling the background.


Lori Roach shares strategies to overcome communication barriers during travel

By Angela Lynn

 I have both aphasia and am Hard of Hearing. I often make it known to others about my situation so that we can achieve better mutual understanding and improved communication . . . 

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A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a light-colored t-shirt and dark pants, stands outdoors next to a body of water. She is looking at the camera and pointing toward a distant, white, conical lighthouse with a black top that stands beyond the water and a grassy bank. A few houses and a sailboat mast are visible in the far background. The lighthouse appears to be the Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard.


Q&A with Diane Lisanti. Travel is filled with memorable
sights, sounds and tastes, but it is challenging!

By Angela Lynn

Diane is a resident of the bustling metropolis of New York, New York, a proud member of the Hard of Hearing community and a true Hard of Hearing Traveller.

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A person with facial paint, wearing a dark blue hoodie, a long navy cape, checkered grey pants, and bright red shoes, stands on a dry dirt path outdoors. They are smiling and holding their hands up to their head. In the background, there is dense, dry shrubbery and a distinctive, large, rocky spire or formation rising up from the landscape under a cloudy sky. The setting appears to be a dry, bushland environment, possibly in Kenya near a feature like the Pride Rock inspiration.


Videliz Njoki. Deaf solo traveller, passionate about raising awareness

By Angela Lynn and Pauline Mackenzie

Travelling is a passion that transcends boundaries, bringing people from different backgrounds and abilities together to explore the world’s wonders. For one adventurous traveller from Kenya, the journey is not just about visiting new destinations but also about breaking barriers and inspiring others.

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A young woman with long, wavy brown hair and blue eyes stands against a plain white background. She is wearing a fitted white cap-sleeve t-shirt and light-wash denim jeans with a distressed or ripped detail. She wears gold hoop earrings, a wrist bracelet, and several gold rings, and she is looking directly at the camera.

Cheyenna Clearbrook Flink. Confident Deaf influencer and advocate

By Pauline Mckenzie

Cheyenna is a Deaf influencer and young mom. Born Deaf to a Deaf family, she was raised in Washington State and moved to British Columbia, Canada a few years ago. She has been a social media influencer since 15 years old, first starting on that journey with a friend on YouTube.

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A young woman is smiling and wearing a hijab made of a multicolored, patterned scarf with paisley and geometric designs, along with a blue top. She is standing in front of a bright red banner or curtain that has large, yellow or white Chinese characters on it.

Mrs. Sariah Ibrahim shares good and bad memories of travelling as a Deaf person

By Angela Lynn

Mrs. Sariaj Ibrahim is a remarkable Deaf woman who travels the world to empower and uplift Deaf communities. 

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A smiling woman with dark hair and glasses stands in an airport check-in area. She is wearing a denim jacket, a blue striped shirt, and blue jeans, and she is holding a white cane and a piece of paper that appears to be a boarding pass or ticket. She is holding up her left hand in a peace sign. Two Spirit Airlines self check-in kiosks are visible on either side of her, and she has a backpack with yellow straps resting on the floor.

DeafBlind, Yashaira Romilus transcends barriers and touches the world!

By Angela Lynn

Yash, a DeafBlind Latina traveller, has embarked on extraordinary journeys that have taken her across 31 U.S. states and to countries as diverse as Mexico, Honduras, Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, Ecuador and Spain. 

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A woman with blonde-highlighted hair styled in a side braid, wearing a black turtleneck top, is smiling indoors. She is holding her right hand up in the "I love you" sign. The background includes a large green houseplant and white window blinds.

Deaf traveller, Angela Lynn on the go!

By Pauline Mackenzie

Yash, a DeafBlind Latina traveller, has embarked on extraordinary journeys that have taken her across 31 U.S. states and to countries as diverse as Mexico, Honduras, Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, Ecuador and Spain. 

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Family Fun, No Limits

A headshot of a smiling woman with short, dark, wavy hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a black top with lace detailing on the shoulders and long, silver, leaf-shaped earrings. She is standing in front of a neutral-colored wall.

Overcoming invisible barriers. The number one thing that’s keeping you from travelling

By Jennifer Allen

The world is full of barriers for wheelchair users and the mobility disabled. Everywhere you look there are stairs, or rocks, or fallen trees, or curbs or potholes or something that keeps you from being able to easily navigate the world around you.

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A close-up headshot of a smiling woman with short, wavy, platinum blonde hair. She is wearing a bright pink lipstick, dark eyeliner and lashes, and a lime green textured sweater or cardigan. She is also wearing a black beaded necklace. The background is softly blurred and neutral-toned.

Practical tips for travelling with a child with hearing loss

By Jennifer Allen

Amie Jo is the mother of this issue’s guest editor, Angela Lynn. We asked her to share advice from her own experiences travelling with a child with hearing loss. The following are snippets of her best tips and sage advice gleaned from her own years of experience.

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Journeys of joy. Insights from four moms on travelling with children with hearing loss

By Jennifer Allen

Since travelling with a child with hearing loss is outside of my wheelhouse of expertise, I looked for those wayfinders to lead the way. I found four moms who see the value in sharing new experiences with their kids, regardless of obstacles.

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A headshot of a smiling woman with short, dark, wavy hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a black top with lace detailing on the shoulders and long, silver, leaf-shaped earrings. She is standing in front of a neutral-colored wall.

Better Together - Disability Parent Q&A

with Jennifer Allen

Q: What do you do about travel insurance? What do you need, and what’s covered, for a child with a disability?

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Adaptive Adventures

Jesi Stracham: breaking barriers and paving the way

By Pauline Mackenzie

She’s not your average athlete, nor is she content with merely inspiring others. Jesi Stracham is on a mission to motivate, empower and break down barriers in the most extraordinary way possible.

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Journeys with Autism

Paige Layle on autism, travel and more . . .

By Pauline McKenzie

I promote and spread awareness by advocating for myself and others online, by making videos on TikTok and YouTube that are educational and entertaining and I also post on other social platforms. 

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Thomas Henley is on a quest to change the aesthetic of autism

By Pauline Mackenzie

Regardless of the bouts of anxiety, Thomas loves to travel and has done so extensively. “I’ve travelled all over the place. I’ve been backpacking around Southeast Asia with a friend.

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Feature Stories

Four joyful people are riding along a metal and wood accessible walkway or bridge through a lush, dense tropical rainforest. Three are riding red mobility scooters and one is sitting in a manual wheelchair. All four are smiling and raising their arms in excitement. The surrounding area is filled with vibrant green foliage, including large ferns and palm leaves.

4 disability influencers who will inspire you to travel

By Wheel the World

Sharing your stories online is a powerful way to inspire others, to educate and showcase your abilities. Many individuals with disabilities may feel limited in the experiences they can have and places they can go

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The official logo for the Costa Rica country brand. It features the word "esencial" written in a stylized, bright lime green script, underlined by a flowing brushstroke. Below it, the words "COSTA RICA" are stacked in two lines of bold, dark forest green capital letters. The entire logo is set against a black background.

Want to travel? Costa Rica is an accessible paradise

By Wheel the World

Wheel the World recently did a trip to highlight the accessibility of Costa Rica. If you are hesitant to travel, Costa Rica is a perfect place to start. 

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Unlocking Cape Town's Beauty. A dive into Accessible Tourism

By Tarryn Tomlinson

Cape Town, a city renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural tapestry, and vibrant history, is increasingly becoming a beacon of accessible tourism. 

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Thunder Bay, Ontario: a winter for everyone!

By Erin Simmons

Nestled in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, on the edge of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is known as one of Canada’s premier outdoor cities. Thunder Bay however embraces itself as a community that is committed to making sure everyone feels welcome no matter what challenges they may face.

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Accessibility meets luxury at Ximuwu Lodge, South Africa

By Alicia Williams

As the African journeys of Netherlands couple, Patrick and Elly Suverein continued, their desire to make this vast and untamed land their permanent home grew stronger with every passing day. Their vision is singular—to provide an inclusive safari experience where mobility poses no barriers. 

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Latin America for All: making the impossible possible

By Cristina Vallejo

I love to travel.  I loved to work in the travel field.  I traveled for work, and worked so I could travel. Besides being passionate about travelling, I´ve always been passionate of promoting my country as a unique destination. 

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Celebrating icons who blaze the trail in a quest to create a barrier-free world

By Pauline Mackenzie

I love to travel.  I loved to work in the travel field.  I traveled for work, and worked so I could travel. Besides being passionate about travelling, I´ve always been passionate of promoting my country as a unique destination. 

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Cruising Corner

Exploring Alaska with Princess Cruises

By Marcia Frost

I never expected to be disabled for my bucket list trip.

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A close-up selfie of a smiling woman with long, dark, wavy hair. A small, brown and beige capuchin monkey is sitting on her right shoulder, appearing to eat something it holds in its hands. The woman is wearing a black top and a cross necklace, and she holds her left hand up in the "I love you" sign. The background is blurred, suggesting an outdoor, possibly public or historical setting.

Bridgette Jones on the high seas

By Angela Lynn

Cruises offer several advantages in terms of community, accessibility, and unique experiences.

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Specialized Travel Agents

A smiling man with a beard and glasses, wearing a baseball cap and a gray t-shirt, is seated in an all-terrain wheelchair outdoors. The chair has large, knobby tires and a small front wheel attachment. The background is a lush, green, hilly landscape under an overcast sky, with a body of water visible in the distance.

Disability travel agents who plan worry-free trips around the world

For individuals with disabilities, a trip can be difficult to plan. There are many reasons for that. The world isn’t always built with accessibility in mind and consequently, it can feel out of reach for those who require assistance or special conditions. 

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Vlogger Spotlight

Vineet Valentine Victor

While no place in the world is entirely wheelchair-accessible, I must say that my best travel experience so far was in Switzerland.

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Blogger Spotlight

Shanna Groves, Lipreading Mom

Hitting the open road is one of my favourite warm weather activities. My family and I have travelled Route 66 twice and frequented highways in the U.S. West, South, and East. We’ve visited places like Oklahoma and Texas more times than I can count to see family and friends.

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