Our story
Blind Travel Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We give individuals or teams the opportunity to execute travel projects that benefit the blind and visually impaired community.
To date, we have awarded nine $10,000 travel grants. Qualifying candidates can apply here by pitching their trip idea. We are looking for curious individuals who seek adventure, knowledge, and a desire to make an impact.
New this year is the Blind Travel Summit! Led by Blind Travel Foundation board member and summit founder Mike May, we are bringing together blind and visually impaired travelers, industry leaders, and advocates to shape the future of accessible travel!
Our History
Mike Walsh, along with his brother, Johnny, was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type 2C in 1997 around his 20th birthday. He has moderate hearing loss combined with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). His hearing has been stable his entire life, and with the help of hearing aids, he hears pretty well. Retinitis Pigmentosa is the continuous deterioration of the retina which leads to night blindness and a loss of peripheral vision.
2014
By 2014, Mike’s vision had deteriorated to the point where he was no longer driving and used a cane to get around. Mike was working in social media and understood its value in connecting people. He loved to travel, see the world, and connect with others.
With a team of friends, he combined those things and launched Blind Travel Foundation. He crowdsourced ideas for trips all over the world to see and do things while he still could. Another part of his mission was to learn and educate others about vision issues.
He started a Facebook Page and posted,“Hello, my name is Mike Walsh and I am losing my sight. In two days (Saturday, February 1st), I will walk into the Madison Dane County Airport. Today, YOU decide where I am going.” Mike crowdsourced where he went and what he did. He went around the world and the rest is history! You can see his past adventures on Facebook and Instagram.
Today, Blind Travel Foundation is a team and we want to give others the chance to have similar experiences. Are you blind or have low vision? Do you have an idea that is adventurous and educational? We want to hear from you!
In the press
Interviews with the foundation and our grant winners on other people’s shows.
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The People Make the Places
Blind Travel Foundation trip to Japan
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Blind Abilities
Hurry! Last Chance! Fly off into Your Future with a $10,000 travel Grant from Blind Travel Foundation! Meet Blind Travel Foundation Founder and Executive Director Mike Walsh, along with Grant Winner Eliana Mason
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Between The Fur
Beyond the Spotlight: Navigating the Stage with Hearing Impairment and Fading Sight
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Low Vision Bureau Podcast
Blind and visually impaired people interested in traveling…
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The Tactile Traveler
Blind Runners & Blind Travel Foundation
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White Canes CONNECT
Blind Travel Foundation: $10K Travel Grant Giveaway
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THAT REAL BLIND TECH SHOW
Get To Know Flight For Sight and Their $10,000 Grant Give Away To Travel The World
For media requests, contact our Founder and Executive Director, Mike Walsh
+1 (608) 609-8919, Mike@FlightforSight.net.