DECATUR – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association is positioning the region to become an accessible-friendly destination.
At a news conference Tuesday, the organization announced major accessibility projects to improve travel opportunities for visitors who might need special accommodations.
“Accessibility is more than a project, it is AMLA’s mission,” said AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist. “We are committed to ensuring that North Alabama is not only beautiful and adventurous but also inclusive, inviting and accessible. With this exciting initiative, North Alabama is taking an important step to ensure that visitors and locals of different disabilities feel welcomed, included and inspired by what our region has to offer.”
North Alabama gained recognition as the first destination in Alabama to achieve the “Destination Verified” status with Wheel the World, a global leader in accessible travel. The designation highlights the region’s commitment to accessible tourism for travelers with physical, cognitive and invisible disabilities. The status recognizes tourist-related venues that have undergone a third-party accessibility verification.
Wheel the World spent the past 10 months conducting confidential accessibility verifications of dozens of businesses, attractions, restaurants, airports and hotels in the North Alabama region. People planning visits to the 16 northernmost counties in Alabama can identify accessible features at hotels, attractions, restaurants, and other businesses within listings on Wheel the World’s booking travel website.
Participating businesses received accessibility support guides and access to the Wheel the World Academy, which offers training videos on accessibility best practices, dispelling myths and enhancing understanding around accessibility.
“North Alabama is leading the way in their state by partnering with us to ensure visitors with disabilities can access clear, reliable information about where to stay, eat and explore,” said Wheel the World Chief Partnerships Officer Arturo Gaona. “Making a destination truly accessible requires everyone to join the movement. This initiative isn’t just about compliance; it’s about excellence in hospitality and real economic development for the region.
“By joining, hoteliers, restaurant owners, attractions, and tourism professionals can tap into a growing emerging market, enhance visitors experiences, and set themselves apart.”
A travel website – www.accessiblenorthal.com – was unveiled, offering visitors a comprehensive, user-friendly hub filled with valuable resources, detailed itineraries, practical travel tips, a link to Wheel the World’s global platform with “Destination Verified” hotels, attractions, restaurants and other businesses in North Alabama and hotels participating in Tourism ALL-a-Bama, a program of UCP of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley intended to serve individuals and traveling families who may themselves be or have a loved one with diagnosed sensory sensitivities or who are on the autism spectrum.
AMLA also partnered with disabled travel content creators to create itineraries with peer recommendations and travel planning guidance so those with disabilities can travel with confidence.
Complementing the website is a colorful, engaging rack card that will be distributed widely through an advertising campaign and at consumer travel shows, ensuring travelers with disabilities have easy access to essential information for planning a trip to North Alabama.
New travel tools include digital itineraries available via Bandwango, a free platform offering mobile-accessible passes to local attractions, accommodations, restaurants and other tourist-related venues in a specific destination. These passes include curated itineraries, allowing tourists to explore North Alabama easily, discover new places and engage with local culture through a streamlined, interactive experience delivered via their mobile device. Visitors can sign up for the digital itineraries here. Bandwango will then send a passport link to the user’s phone providing convenient access during their trip.
Additional marketing collateral in the works include an accessible meeting planner guide; accessible sports planning guide; “project sunflower,” blending art with an understanding of non-visible disability; the launch of the North Alabama Film Festival, focused on accessible travel storytelling; and a featured episode on PBS travel TV series “Travels with Darley.”
This summer, Darley and the production team were in North Alabama to film footage for a half hour episode of Darley’s TV show and related web series content focused on accessibility. The episode will broadcast on PBS stations starting January 2026 and subsequently will be distributed to streaming networks.
As part of the initiative, AMLA is offering training and virtual classes focused on accessibility in tourism for members of the Association. These sessions are designed to help attractions, hospitality partners and local businesses understand how to better serve travelers with disabilities and create an accessible-friendly destination experience.
“By equipping our partners with tools, strategies and best practices, AMLA is ensuring that North Alabama can welcome visitors with disabilities with the same warmth and hospitality the region is known for,” said Reist.
Donations and grants support mobility effort
AMLA also announced it had purchased a state-of-the-art all-terrain hopper through a TVA grant and donated it to Joe Wheeler State Park. The device will allow individuals with mobility challenges to explore rugged trails, scenic landscapes and lakeside views more freely than ever before.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and TVA for their generous support in providing a Terrain Hopper to Joe Wheeler State Park,” said Alabama State Parks Deputy Director and AMLA Chairman of the Board Chad Davis. “This outdoor mobility device opens trails and outdoor experiences to guests of all abilities. The Terrain Hopper is a great addition to our state park’s outdoor mobility device fleet.
“It’s a powerful step forward in our commitment to accessibility and inclusion across Alabama’s State Parks.”
Today’s announcement also included news that the Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers and Valleys RC&D Council has applied for a grant, on behalf of AMLA, to purchase Be My Eyes on Meta AI Glasses. These innovative glasses, designed to provide real-time visual assistance for people who are blind or have low vision, will be donated to the Birthplace of Helen Keller and Museum in Tuscumbia.
AMLA also said that, after requesting assistance from North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments to apply for grant funding, 36 wheelchairs were acquired and donated to attractions, restaurants and other businesses that are members of AMLA in Lawrence, Morgan and Cullman counties. These wheelchairs will be available at museums, parks and other sites, free of charge to visitors with needs.
“Today is more than an announcement, it’s a promise,” Reist said. “North Alabama is officially stepping forward and paving the way to being an accessible-friendly destination. From the launch of our new website and rack card, to the donations of an all-terrain hopper at Joe Wheeler State Park and 36 wheelchairs for our members, these are not just resources; they are bridges.
“They connect people with different needs to the beauty, adventure and hospitality that define North Alabama.”
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