About SATH

About Us

Our members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission.

OUR MISSION

The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission.

ADVOCACY

SATH, Formerly Society for Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped, has a well-established record in representing the interests of persons with disabilities. SATH participated in the writing of the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carriers Access Act, as well as Resolution 700 and 1700 of the International Air Transport Association. A Code of Conduct toward travelers with disabilities written by SATH was adopted by the World Tourism Organization in 1991. SATH has also lobbied for legislative change in the European Community and assisted numerous governments to develop national access guidelines.

EDUCATION

To raise awareness and provide detailed training on how to serve and market to travelers with disabilities, SATH organizes conferences and provides speakers and panels for other industry associations such as American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), National Tour Association (NTA), International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, and Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). SATH has sponsored the World Congress for Travelers with Disabilities and the Mature since 1977. It also sponsors Travelers with Disabilities Awareness Week, created in 1990 by SATH founder Murray Vidockler, CTC to commemorate the ADA.

INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

SATH works closely with a number of sponsoring corporations to help create training programs and materials, improve customer service and develop better outreach and marketing. SATH serves on advisory committees at Greyhound Lines and Northwest Airlines, among others. The Society is also available to perform access audits of hotels, restaurants and attractions.

CONSUMER INFORMATION

Since its inception, SATH has served as a clearinghouse for access information. SATH’s travel magazine, Open World, features inspiring articles by travelers with disabilities and updates on destinations, cruises, web sites, legislation and more. The SATH web site (www.sath.org) also is geared to consumers.

MEDIA RESOURCE

ach year SATH answers hundreds of media requests on all aspects of disability travel including market statistics, travel trends and accessible destinations. In addition, the Society provides speakers for radio and television and contributes articles to numerous publications.

MEDIA RESOURCE

Each year SATH answers hundreds of media requests on all aspects of disability travel including market statistics, travel trends and accessible destinations. In addition, the Society provides speakers for radio and television and contributes articles to numerous publications.

INTERNATIONAL CHAPTERS

Since 2001, SATH has accepted applications from overseas chapters as a way to expand global awareness and accessibility. Please contact the Society for full details on how to open a SATH chapter in your country.

MEMBER SERVICES

SATH members receive many new benefits which will be posted shortly on our website. They also have a preferred rate for registration for the World Congress and other SATH events, including overseas symposia. Corporate members receive a free link on the SATH web site.

SATH Access to Freedom Award

The Access to Freedom Award, given annually, is the highest honor awarded by the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality.
List of Award Recipients