The new school year is officially underway, bringing significant household and professional transitions for the Morris family. John Morris, founder of the prominent accessibility resource Wheelchair Travel, shared an inside look at how shifting family dynamics, rigorous international group travel schedules, and ongoing global advocacy are shaping the months ahead.
With Robert, their son, no longer being homeschooled, John and his wife, Stevie, have found new opportunities to collaborate more closely on their professional endeavors. However, balancing the demands of a bustling household has proven to be an eye-opening experience. Reflecting on the realities of family management, John expressed profound appreciation for his wife, who handled household operations single-handedly prior to their marriage. Crediting Stevie with a guiding family mantra—"we can do hard things"—John noted that this resilient philosophy has become the foundation for navigating a uniquely demanding season.
An Unprecedented ‘Autumn Abroad’
That resilience is being put to the test immediately. Following a whirlwind start to the autumn season in Switzerland, where John led the Wheelchair Travel Group Trip through the Swiss Alps, the organization is launching an intensive series of back-to-back-to-back international excursions. Dubbed the "Autumn Abroad" series, this ambitious schedule includes upcoming group tours across Portugal and Italy.
In total, John will welcome more than 30 Wheelchair Travel readers to Europe across these three immersive journeys. While leading these international groups is a source of immense professional fulfillment, it requires careful logistical coordination and stamina. Following the Swiss trip, a brief four-day window between the Portugal and Sicily itineraries will take John to Cologne and Wuppertal, Germany, for the very first time. He plans to scout out new accessibility storylines and share his firsthand experiences with readers upon his return.
Expanding Horizons: Beach Accessibility in Colombia
Beyond group tours, Wheelchair Travel continues to track and report on major accessibility advancements worldwide. Among recent features published on the platform is a detailed look at Cartagena, Colombia, where significant investments are transforming the visitor experience.
During a recent visit to Cartagena de Indias, John explored the newly accessible coastline at Bocagrande Playa. The destination now features dedicated boardwalk pathways, accessible seating areas, adapted restrooms, and manual beach wheelchairs available for public use free of charge. These improvements highlight a broader global trend toward inclusive coastal tourism, allowing travelers with mobility disabilities to experience beaches that were previously out of reach.
For travelers planning a stay in the area, John evaluated the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias, a modern luxury hotel situated directly on the Bocagrande beachfront. While the property’s spacious accessible rooms feature essential roll-in showers, John noted that it may not meet every traveler’s exact accessibility requirements. He specifically suggested that visitors who rely on custom or specialized bathing equipment may find the best results by traveling with their own portable shower chairs.
Mapping United States Intercity Bus Routes
Domestically, a new transportation tool is making public transit significantly more navigable for travelers with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics has officially released the Intercity Bus Atlas, an interactive mapping tool designed to simplify route discovery across the United States.
Intercity bus travel has historically been overlooked by travel planners, yet lines such as Greyhound and Megabus operate fleets equipped with multiple wheelchair securement spaces. The newly launched atlas maps nearly 2,000 routes and 3,500 stops nationwide, granting travelers unprecedented visibility into accessible over-the-road transit options. John, a long-time advocate for accessible bus services, highlighted the atlas as a fantastic milestone and expressed optimism for continued investment and development in intercity transit accessibility.
Looking Ahead to Germany and Poland in 2027
Building on the success of current European itineraries, Wheelchair Travel Tours has officially announced its next major international destination: Germany and Poland. Scheduled to run from August 8 to August 18, 2027, the 11-day excursion will take travelers through the historical streets of Berlin, Krakow, and Warsaw.
The comprehensive itinerary promises a deep dive into the region’s rich culture, art, and gastronomy, paired with visits to sites of profound historical significance. In keeping with previous tour rollouts, complete itinerary details will be released exclusively to paid members of the Wheelchair Travel newsletter on Monday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Paid subscribers will receive a four-day private booking window. Any remaining spaces will open to free newsletter subscribers on Friday, September 22.
Household Updates and Digital Engagement
As John prepares to lead upcoming groups across Europe, the digital presence of Wheelchair Travel is expanding on multiple fronts. After a lengthy social media hiatus, John has returned to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, sharing behind-the-scenes moments—including a lighthearted photo from Switzerland—alongside real-time updates from the road.
Meanwhile, readers can expect fresh content from Stevie Morris, who will step into the newsletter spotlight to share articles she has been developing while John is overseas. As the Morris household embraces its busiest season yet, the combination of family dedication, expanding travel itineraries, and continuous accessibility reporting ensures that the Wheelchair Travel community will have plenty of stories, insights, and resources to follow in the months ahead.
