The Ultimate Travel Experience: A Blind Traveler's Journey with Mind's Eye Travel

In the world of accessible travel, one company stands out for its commitment to providing visually impaired travelers with the ultimate experience. Mind's Eye Travel, founded by occupational therapist and travel advocate Fred Maahs Jr., specializes in creating customized trips for individuals who are blind or have low vision. With over 30 trips under his belt, one visually impaired traveler shares his experiences and the unique aspects that make Mind's Eye Travel stand out.



Mind's Eye Travel's approach to destination selection and itinerary planning caters specifically to the needs and preferences of visually impaired travelers. The company focuses on accessibility, inclusivity, and sensory experiences, ensuring that each trip is tailored to the individual's abilities and interests. Some key factors that make Mind's Eye Travel's trips stand out include:

1. Trained Sighted Guides: Mind's Eye Travel provides trained sighted guides to accompany clients on their trips. These guides are trained to assist visually impaired individuals, ensuring they can navigate the environment safely and comfortably.
2. Small Group Sizes: The company's groups are typically fewer than a dozen people, allowing for more personalized attention and assistance to each traveler. This smaller group size also makes it easier for the guides to provide individual support when needed.
3. Comprehensive Assistance: Mind's Eye Travel offers a wide range of assistance to visually impaired travelers, including help with immigration documents, boarding passes, cruise line bag tags, embarkation and disembarkation, orientation and mobility while onboard ship, shore excursions, braille menus (when available), and airline bookings. This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of the trip is accessible and stress-free for the visually impaired traveler.
4. Accessible Transportation and Accommodations: Mind's Eye Travel ensures that the transportation and accommodations used on their trips are accessible to visually impaired travelers. This includes providing assistance with public transport systems, recommending accessible restaurants, hotels, and sights, and helping with navigation.
5. Expertise in Visually Impaired Travel: Mind's Eye Travel's staff are experienced in working with visually impaired travelers, which allows them to anticipate and address any potential challenges or needs that may arise during the trip. This expertise ensures that the company can provide a high level of service and support to their visually impaired clients.
6. Customization: Mind's Eye Travel offers tailor-made trips that can be adapted to suit the interests, budget, and requirements of each individual traveler. This customization ensures that the trip is not only accessible but also enjoyable and meaningful for the visually impaired traveler.
7. Focus on Multisensory Experiences: Mind's Eye Travel aims to make travel a multisensory experience for visually impaired travelers. This includes providing braille maps, recommending accessible restaurants and hotels, and helping with navigation.

By focusing on these aspects, Mind's Eye Travel's approach to destination selection and itinerary planning caters to the specific needs and preferences of visually impaired travelers, ensuring they can enjoy their trips with confidence and ease. The company's unique business model, which combines specialization, personalized service, attention to detail, certifications, community engagement, partnerships, and adaptability, contributes to the growth and sustainability of the accessible travel industry.

In conclusion, Mind's Eye Travel's commitment to providing visually impaired travelers with the ultimate experience sets it apart in the accessible travel industry. By focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, and sensory experiences, the company ensures that each trip is tailored to the individual's abilities and interests, creating unforgettable memories for visually impaired travelers.