CLEVELAND (Dec. 3, 2025) – Destination Cleveland, the destination marketing and management organization for Cuyahoga County, today announced it has joined Wheel the World’s Accessibility Verified Program – representing its commitment to building trust, visibility and inclusion through accessibility. The program evaluates and certifies accessibility of destination assets to provide reliable, detailed information for travelers with disabilities. The initial certification of Cleveland assets includes 23 restaurants, attractions and hotels, with additions expected in early 2026. Destination Cleveland’s page is now live at WheeltheWorld.com.
“Accessible travel is a reality for countless travelers planning their journeys to Cleveland each year. By partnering with Wheel the World, we’re making it easier for travelers of all abilities to confidently explore and enjoy so much of what our awesome city offers,” said Hannah Belsito, chief experience officer at Destination Cleveland. “We’re grateful to community leaders such as the Cleveland Cavaliers/Rock Entertainment Group, who are already setting a powerful example of inclusion and accessibility in our community. Their leadership – seen in features like sensory rooms, braille signage and hearing-aid compatible devices at Rocket Arena – shows what it looks like to champion accessibility and raise the bar for Cleveland and beyond.”
WheeltheWorld.com is the leading platform and community for accessible travel, dedicated to helping travelers with disabilities find and book inclusive travel experiences worldwide. Locations in Cleveland that have been destination verified were evaluated by a Wheel the World team member for a variety of accessibility points. These accessibility features – more than 100 evaluated for attractions and restaurants and over 200 for hotels – range from obstacle-free areas to bed heights to signage, to better accommodate guests with mobility, vision, hearing, sensory and other needs. Initial on-site review of Cleveland accommodations and attractions took place in 2024 and 2025.
“Cleveland is taking an essential step toward becoming a destination where every visitor can experience its culture, attractions and hospitality without barriers. Travelers with disabilities in the United States spend more than $23 billion each year, yet many say they would travel more if reliable accessibility information were available,” said Sofia Bravo, head of customer success at Wheel the World. “Through this initiative, Cleveland is strengthening industry knowledge, improving transparency for visitors, and positioning itself as a leader in inclusive travel. It has been a privilege to work with Destination Cleveland on this effort. Travelers can now plan with greater confidence and explore verified information on WheeltheWorld.com and ThisisCleveland.com/accessibility."
As part of its commitment to improving the travel experience for visitors with disabilities, Destination Cleveland has also launched a new accessibility resource page at ThisisCleveland.com/accessibility. The page links to Wheel the World's certified sites and provides resources for visitors with visual, hearing, mobility or health needs, as well as accessible transportation options.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. The private, non-profit organization’s mission is to stimulate economic growth by attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland’s diversity, creativity and contagious passion. In 2024, visitation increased for the fourth straight year to 18.6 million visits, with visitor spending infusing a record-high $6.9 billion into the local economy. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com
ABOUT WHEEL THE WORLD: Wheel the World is the trusted global platform for accessible travel, empowering people with disabilities, seniors, and companions to explore the world without limits. Through its Accessibility Verified Program, Wheel the World helps destinations verify accessibility, train partners, and market their offerings with measurable results. With over 180,000 travelers, verified listings in 250+ destinations, and partnerships with leading tourism boards, Wheel the World is redefining how the world sees accessibility. Learn more at wheeltheworld.com.