TORONTO — ACTA has officially launched its new Accessible Travel Advisor Directory, a first-of-its-kind Canadian resource designed to connect travellers with travel advisors who specialize in accessible travel for both visible and non-visible disabilities.
First announced in October 2025, the initiative forms a key part of ACTA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) commitments and reflects the association’s ongoing efforts to advance accessibility across Canada’s travel industry.
The directory currently features 34 vetted travel advisors from across the country who have demonstrated experience and commitment to accessible travel planning. ACTA invited qualified members to apply through a formal application process in October, ensuring that advisors listed meet established criteria and professional standards.
“Accessible travel is not a niche – it is a necessity,” said Suzanne Acton-Gervais, President of ACTA. “Every Canadian deserves the opportunity to explore the world with confidence and dignity. The launch of the Accessible Travel Advisor Directory reflects ACTA’s commitment to ensuring travellers with visible and non-visible disabilities can connect with knowledgeable and empathetic professionals who truly understand their needs.
“I am proud of the ACTA team and our DEIA Advisory Committee for their leadership and dedication in bringing this important initiative to life. This marks a meaningful step forward in building a more inclusive and responsive travel industry.”
“IT’S DEEPLY PERSONAL”
ACTA says the directory addresses a long-standing gap in the industry by offering a trusted, centralized resource for Canadians seeking expert support in accessible travel. It is also intended to serve as a referral tool for travel advisors who encounter clients with accessibility needs that fall outside their own areas of expertise.
Committee member Tanya Rabe, Accessibility Specialist at Right Foot Adventures, highlighted the personal significance of the initiative.
“As a person with a disability, accessible travel is deeply personal to me and is the very reason I became a travel advisor specializing in accessible travel. I know firsthand how overwhelming, isolating, and discouraging travel planning can feel when accessibility is uncertain or misunderstood. Being part of ACTA’s DEIA Advisory Committee and helping bring the Accessible Travel Advisor Directory to life has been incredibly meaningful, because this work is about dignity, confidence, and being seen – and about changing how our industry shows up for travellers with accessibility needs,” she said.
She added: “With ACTA taking the lead in accessible travel for Canadians – one step at a time – this directory represents real progress. For the first time, travellers with accessibility needs have a place to turn to find qualified travel advisors who truly understand their realities, not just on paper, but through lived experience and genuine empathy. My hope is that this directory reassures travellers that they don’t have to advocate alone, and that there are professionals who truly get it and are committed to helping travellers of all abilities experience the world with confidence.”
WHERE TO FIND IT & HOW TO JOIN
The Accessible Travel Advisor Directory is available through the “Find an Advisor” section of the ACTA website and can also be accessed directly online here. ACTA will continue accepting qualified advisors on a rolling basis to expand the directory and strengthen accessibility expertise nationwide.
To be included, travel advisors must be ACTA members in good standing, have a minimum of two years of advisory experience, have completed at least three accessible travel bookings or one supervised accessible travel case with mentorship, and demonstrate familiarity with common accessibility considerations and potential challenges.
