Travel and Hospitality

Karen C. Dwire became a travel agent as a side gig in 2022. Not long after that, she noticed a significant gap in the industry's offerings: Travel services for people with disabilities. So, she launched Accessible Travel Planners, a Grand Junction, Colorado-based nonprofit that provides "education, support and travel planning for the disability community , so everyone can take their dream trip," Dwire explains. Her work marries her knowledge of travel, her decades of work as an occupational therapist, and her own experiences living as a person with facial differences and neuro-trauma. "With over a third of the U.S. population identifying as having a disability or medical complexity, demand for travel amongst the disabled population is huge," she says -- and she wants to help them all. Editor’s Note: Accessible Travel Planners has been named to The Story Exchange’s 2026 list of 15 Brilliant Business Ideas. Here's our lightly edited Q&A, with Dwire. How is your business different from others in your industry? As far as I know, we are unique with our focus on educating travel agents and other professionals in the industry so we can increase impact. I am helping hundreds of women (as over 90% of my travel planners are women) start businesses in travel that allows them to use their skills combined with their passion for travel to make travel possible for all, which also helps the disability community live more independently and with more freedom. Tell us about your biggest success so far. We are planning a group trip with travel planners and people with disabilities in July 2026 to Orlando, Florida, and then Hawaii! And, we have already made several trips possible, especially for families who have an autistic child, and wheeled mobility users. What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Scaling up, and effective time and energy management, are pain points. I have hired out someone to help me with the menial business tasks to manage some of this. Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions? I was terminated from my job and lost a big business contract three months later - all in 2025. What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? Keep it all as simple as possible. How do you find inspiration on your darkest days? I think about the smiles of those we help travel. What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? "Can't Stop The Feeling" by Justin Timberlake. Who is your most important role model? My parents. Share your story! Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-upWatch our latest videosSubscribe to our podcast

Travel and Hospitality

Helping People With Disabilities Experience the World

The Story Exchange

Follow