by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 12:15 PM ET, Wed October 14, 2026
MAST Travel Network and Special Needs Group will help make travel more accessible for more people with a new partnership. (Photo Credit: MAST Travel Network)
WHY IT RATES: MAST's new partnership with Special Needs Group will allow affiliated travel advisors to become a Certified Accessible Travel Advocate, and have access to the group's medical and mobility equipment rental options. — Lacey Pfalz, Senior Editor, News & Features, TravelPulse
MAST Travel Network is proud to announce a partnership with Special Needs Group, a travel services company that seeks to aid travelers with special needs to get out and see the world.
“This partnership is an important step in MAST’s growth,” said Andrew Davis, president and COO of MAST Travel Network. “Accessibility isn't a niche market. It's a fundamental part of serving every traveler well. Partnering with Special Needs Group allows us to give our advisors the tools and education they need to confidently serve travelers of all abilities.”
As part of the partnership, Special Needs Group will provide access to educational resources, including its Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA®) program, which equips travel professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to better serve travelers with mobility and other accessibility needs. Members who become CATA certified will have the opportunity to receive valuable referrals on the SNG website. MAST members will also have access to Special Needs Group's mobility and medical equipment rental solutions, including wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen and other specialized equipment, to help coordinate services for its clients.
Special Needs Group's CATA® program is the travel industry's first e-learning curriculum designed to educate travel professionals about the accessible travel market. Through online coursework and testing, participants gain essential knowledge to help address the needs of travelers who require mobility assistance and other specialized services. Travel professionals can earn the designation by completing the online three-module curriculum and required testing or participating in a live presentation and testing session. The certification program is available at no charge to travel industry professionals with a valid industry identifier.
“Accessible travel begins long before a traveler reaches their destination. It starts with a knowledgeable travel advisor who understands their client's needs and knows what resources are available,” said Andrew J. Garnett, president, founder and CEO of Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea®. “Our partnership with MAST Travel Network allows us to expand that knowledge among its member agencies while connecting advisors with the equipment and services their clients need. Together, we're helping more travelers experience the world with greater confidence, comfort and independence.”
Recommended by the world's major cruise lines for superior service and value, Special Needs Group provides mobility and medical equipment rental services for travelers aboard cruise ships and guests visiting hotels, resorts and convention centers. The company serves 217 metropolitan areas and cities across 70 countries, helping travelers access the equipment they need throughout their vacations.
This partnership marks another step forward in MAST's ongoing commitment to ensuring every member advisor is best equipped to serve their clients and grow their travel agency business.
SOURCE: MAST Travel Network press release.
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