Sep 4, 2025
Disability Pride, Disability Joy, Exists™: Redefining Inclusion in Tourism Through Storytelling, Art, and Representation
2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards Honoree: Excellence in Tourism Equity & Inclusion
Join us Thursday morning in Lake George at the 2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Summit to hear from Lakshmee L-Persad, President & Founder of Accessible Travel NYC. She'll present the Disability Pride, Disability Joy, Exists™ case study—an inspiring example where equity in tourism can be realized through disability-led storytelling and joyful, public-facing programming.
By co-creating with cultural partners and using inclusive marketing that reached both community and mainstream audiences, the program expanded what equity and access can look like in practice. It offers a replicable model for how tourism spaces can become more welcoming, visible, and human-centered for all.
Why You Should Attend This Session:
- Tourism can’t be equitable without including Disabled people—and not just through compliance. This session unpacks a tested, award-winning model that shows how disability-led programs and inclusive marketing can create deeper engagement, challenge outdated outreach practices, and help institutions build more authentic connections with Disabled visitors.
Key Takeaways:
- Actionable strategies for building partnerships that drive lasting impact.
- Leadership lessons you can adapt to inspire teams, strengthen relationships, and navigate change.
About Lakshmee:
Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad (she/her) is the founder of Accessible Travel NYC, a Webby-recognized, MWBE-certified consultancy specializing in organizational approaches to inclusive marketing and disability-centered program design. Her work supports every part of the tourism sector—from destinations and attractions to cultural institutions and public agencies—helping them embed accessibility and equity into their core strategy, not just their messaging.
She has partnered with leading organizations such as Summit One Vanderbilt, New York Botanical Garden, and NYC Tourism + Conventions to create programs that center Disabled voices, family representation, and joyful public engagement. Her impact extends beyond New York, influencing how accessibility and representation are approached across global tourism and cultural conversations.
Lakshmee was recognized by Mayor Eric Adams with the Sapolin Public Accommodation Award for her leadership in advancing accessibility citywide and was named a Leading Woman in Tourism for her contributions to inclusive destination development. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for NYC Tourism + Conventions and works closely with public and private partners to reimagine how tourism and cultural spaces can be more inclusive, representative, and welcoming at every level.
Accessible Travel NYC is a mission-driven, MWBE-certified consultancy focused on transforming how the tourism and culture sectors engage with disability inclusion. Founded by Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad and built in collaboration with her family, the organization uses inclusive marketing, storytelling, and program design to center Disabled voices, joy, and representation in public life. Accessible Travel NYC partners with leading institutions—including government agencies, landmark attractions, and cultural destinations—to reimagine access not as a limitation, but as a pathway to equity, connection, visibility and business growth. From consulting on strategy, communications and media representation to designing award-winning public programs, Accessible Travel NYC helps clients create experiences where everyone belongs.