Thanks to a new partnership between United Spinal Association and Airbnb, it’s easier than ever for people with mobility disabilities to find out what it takes to list their properties and get involved in the booming hosting industry. United Spinal and Airbnb are developing a first-of-its-kind program tailored to teaching people with mobility needs how to showcase the accessibility features of their homes on their listing pages.

Airbnb and United Spinal will partner through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, a business development program that introduces people from diverse and historically underrepresented communities to hosting on Airbnb. In recent years, Airbnb has been making it easier to find and host accessible homes on their platform. Guests can now search for homes using detailed accessibility filters and browse homes worldwide with verified step-free access in their Adapted category.

“Our partnership with United Spinal is a testament to our shared goal of fostering entrepreneurship within the disability community, as well as making travel more accessible for people of all needs,” says Suzanne Edwards, Airbnb’s head of accessibility hosting standards. “We are excited to work together and help spread the economic benefits of tourism and hosting on Airbnb to new communities.

“As a wheelchair user myself, I have found it so easy to host, and such a good, beneficial thing,” says Edwards. “I really hope that this provides the framework and the tools to actually help other people take that step, and alleviate some of their concerns and then support them in the process. There’s so much demand for accessible homes, and hosting is a really great way to supplement your income as well.”

In the U.S. alone, Airbnb hosts earned more than $24 billion in supplemental income in 2023, helping them pay bills, save for retirement and cover housing costs. Searches using Airbnb’s accessibility filters have grown 40% over the past year, indicating a strong demand for accessible listings.

United Spinal will be providing input as the Academy curriculum is developed, and as with all Academy programs, participants will hear directly from current Hosts on how to find success on Airbnb. Since its inception in 2017, the Academy has helped more than 4,500 participants across 12 countries learn how to host on Airbnb.

“Airbnb shares our commitment to making worldwide travel accessible for wheelchair users, including identifying lodgings with accessibility features at their destinations,” says Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal’s CEO and president. “This will create economic opportunities for our community while also providing many more wheelchair-accessible properties at popular tourist destinations worldwide.”

Interested United Spinal members can learn more about the upcoming Academy program. The first is expected to be in July. You can enter your contact information and be notified once Academy dates have been finalized and registration is open.