Accomable was founded two years ago by two entrepreneurs with spinal muscular atrophy, and operates in a similar way to Airbnb, allowing homeowners to rent out rooms or complete properties on a short-term basis.
All listed properties must have step-free access and other accessibility features.
Following the deal Accomable's listings will be merged with Airbnb, and its team will move to the Airbnb UK office. Accomable chief executive Srin Madipalli will relocate to San Francisco to take up the new Airbnb role of product manager for accessibility.
This year a study revealed that Airbnb hosts were more likely to reject disabled guests, even those ones that had advertised their listing as wheelchair friendly.
Accomable has around 1,100 properties listed in 60 countries, with staff members choosing accommodation providing features like wheelchair access, hoists and roll-in showers.
Airbnb buys Accomable website
Airbnb has acquired Accomable, a UK-based accommodation rentals website designed for travellers with disabilities.
“Recharge for us was that gathering of highly skilled professional individuals...and a true opportunity to spend 24-48 hours with these guys, build relationships, build a true understanding of how the different sectors within this hospitality world operate. From my perspective...in terms of the coliving, student accommodation and apartment-orientated industries, it was a really good opportunity to learn how those verticals operate, and how perhaps what we do as an organisation can be referenced within that particular vertical.”
Matthew Prosser, Senior Sales Director - Agilysys
RECHARGE
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