Vrbo is partnering with Becoming rentABLE, a leader in accessible vacation rentals, to improve the company’s short-term rental offerings and overall approach to accessibility. Vrbo has rolled out new listing filters to help travelers with disabilities search for accommodations that meet their specific needs, and it is providing online instruction to help property owners better market their accessible listings. 

According to Becoming rentABLE, travelers with mobility challenges spend $60 billion on trips every year, yet only 0.1% of the 1.3 million properties available are identified as accessible. Previously, Vrbo users could only search for rentals that were wheelchair accessible and had elevators. Eight new filters allow searches for:  

• Single-level property 
• Stair-free path to entrance 
• Accessible parking 
• Accessible pool 
• Handrail in stairway or hallway 
• Entrance ramp 
• Accessible path of travel 
• Accessible van parking 

“Expedia Group [which owns Vrbo] is driven by a mission to power global travel for everyone, everywhere — including the 16% of the world that is facing disabilities, a growing yet wildly underserved market. This initiative is critical to propelling that mission forward,” says Tim Rosolio, vice president of vacation rental partnerships at Vrbo. “Our hope is that this partnership not only educates and empowers short-term rental owners to make rentals more accessible but also encourages accessible travel across the entire hospitality industry.”  

Lorraine Woodward, president and co-founder of Becoming rentABLE, knows first-hand the struggles people with disabilities face when trying to find accessible accommodations. She and her two sons all have muscular dystrophy and use a wheelchair. Her frustrations motivated her to start Becoming rentABLE in 2021 to address the lack of accessible lodging options and educate the public on diverse needs of travelers with disabilities. 

To educate property hosts on how small changes to their rental properties can make a big impact, Becoming rentABLE developed an online course that offers practical accessibility advice and guidance. “The course covers inclusive design strategies, commonly overlooked accessibility features and the importance of providing clear, detailed descriptions of a property’s accessibility offerings,” says Woodward. “With Expedia Group’s global reach and Becoming rentABLE’s commitment to inclusive lodging, more hosts are being introduced to amenities designed for travelers with autism, as well as cognitive, neurological, sensory, hearing, deaf, mobility and vision needs. This initiative is more than a milestone, it’s a game changer for the travel industry.” 

Vrbo plans to track user engagement, accessibility filter usage, and property accessibility upgrades to guide future partnerships and improve inclusivity for travelers with disabilities. Woodward is optimistic. “This initiative is a powerful step toward a world where accessible STRs are the norm, not the exception,” she says.