Gay blind traveler Henry Martinez embraces Greater Fort Lauderdale in his latest video

Professional surfer and influencer Henry Martinez readily concedes that being blind is a challenge but refuses to accept his condition as an impediment to experiencing life to its fullest.

“Being a blind person, it’s a big challenge,” says Martinez. “But I think it’s not a problem.”

Martinez just completed Seguimos III: A Blind Traveler’s Experience, the final installment of his acclaimed Sequimos short video series. Translated as “keep going” in Spanish, Sequimos highlights the importance of travel for the blind community.

In collaboration with Visit Lauderdale and Wheel the World, Seguimos III follows the intrepid traveler as he visits Greater Fort Lauderdale.

The video captures Martinez exploring the area’s renowned beaches, parks, and natural beauty, making new friends, and experiencing the Greater Fort Lauderdale vibe and LGBTQ+ scene with locals.

“Greater Fort Lauderdale is committed to being a welcoming and accessible destination for all, and we're proud to showcase our ongoing partnership with Wheel the World,” says Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “Accessibility is a priority for us, and we’re continually working to enhance our experiences to ensure everyone can enjoy the diversity and warmth of our community.”

“We are committed to being a destination that truly sees you for who you are,” said Richard Gray, Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Accessibility at Visit Lauderdale. “Genuine hospitality embraces diversity and ensures everyone feels welcome. Our focus on accessibility and acceptance allows each visitor to create unforgettable memories and feel at home in Greater Fort Lauderdale.”

Martinez agrees, saying in the video that Greater Fort Lauderdale is an ideal destination for the sight-impaired because “there are many options to touch, to feel, not just to see.”

According to data provided by the TravelAbility Foundation, there are an estimated 12.7 million disabled travelers in the world. Seguimos III demonstrates Greater Fort Lauderdale’s commitment to ensuring its famed intercoastal waterways, beachfront promenade, museums, restaurants, shops, and entertainment and cultural offerings are available and accessible to everyone.

And Visit Lauderdale's partnership with Wheel the World underscores its dedication to accessibility and inclusion.

“Partnering with Visit Lauderdale to create the first blind destination video in North America has been an inspiring journey,” said Alvaro Silberstein, CEO of Wheel the World. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to innovation in travel and accessibility, ensuring that the beauty and unique experiences of Greater Fort Lauderdale are within reach for everyone. By breaking visual barriers, we’re opening new avenues for exploration and showing the world that travel knows no limits.”

In addition to its page on Greater Fort Lauderdale, Wheel the World also has two handy and specific guides on the region.

The Accessible Guide to Fort Lauderdale provides tips and much more on where to stay and what to do in the area. The guide doesn’t just recommend accommodations but includes detailed amenities lists and even pictures of the rooms and facilities. It also provides a list of accessible trails and their conditions.

The Fun Wheelchair Accessible Expeditions Guide provides helpful information to keep you rolling in style for your visit, including pre-planning, getting to your hotel from the airport, and more. Want to go kayaking, swim in the ocean, or visit a flamingo garden? This guide has you covered.

Martinez says he faces life’s challenges head-on by serving as a visible activist for the community, working to make travel accessible for all.

“For many years, people with disabilities, we have been at home,” Martinez says. “And I think that it is our moment to live, to travel, to be visible.”

“I really want to invite you to visit Greater Fort Lauderdale. If you’re a blind person and you’re thinking about it, this can be your next destination,” Martinez says in Seguimos III.

You can learn more at Visit Lauderdale and Wheel the World. You can follow Visit Lauderdale on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube at @visitlauderdale.