Living with a physical disability shouldn’t discount you from adventure. That’s the theme behind Novartis’ new “SMAshing My Limits And Going Places” campaign.
This project, which is being run in conjunction with North Carolina-based Becoming rentABLE, is seeking to boost the number of truly accessible places for people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), their families and caregivers.
People with SMA can have a range of disabilities but many will need wheelchairs and a host of other facilities to meet their needs. Right now, larger cities and hotel chains are legally required to allow access, but for those that wish to go off the beaten path, it can be all too difficult to manage.
This is where Becoming rentABLE steps in. It works as a platform that connects travelers with disabilities to accessible short-term rentals (STRs). The company says that since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mainly applies to commercial facilities, most private STRs aren't required to meet its standards.
The solution? Alongside Novartis, the companies are adding around 100 new verified accessible STRs across the U.S. to the Becoming rentABLE network. This will go beyond ADA and also allow specific facilities for the SMA community.
This includes accessible parking and a clear path to the entrance door; step-free, one-step, or ramp-at-the-entrance door access; exterior and interior accessible doors 32 inches-plus and step-free access to the living area, bathroom, and bedroom, the companies said in a statement.
“I've traveled to over 50 countries with SMA and the search for truly accessible accommodations can still be one of the hardest parts of any trip,” said Cory Lee, SMA patient advocate, in the release.
“Arriving at a property that doesn't deliver or has an inaccurate description is more than disappointing; it can create safety risks or take an emotional toll. Being able to book an experience and trust it will meet your needs – that kind of freedom changes everything. SMAshing My Limits And Going Places expands this opportunity to people with SMA who were nervous to travel in the past.”
This forms an extension of Novartis’ 2025 campaign SMAshing My Limits, which sought to highlight wins big and small from across the SMA community.
Novartis markets blockbuster gene therapy Zolgensma for certain SMA patients and last year nabbed an FDA approval for Itvisma, a new version of Zolgensma, to treat older patients with the condition.