Vitalii Potapchuk on founding accessible travel agency, Amsaan Accessible Tours (BSL)
My name is Vitalii Potapchuk, and I am the co-founder of Amsaan Accessible Tours.I have been Deaf since childhood and for a long time, my life was a constant struggle with barriers.
When I was studying to be a programmer, I realised that waiting for someone to make the world accessible for us was pointless.
I have a special passion for travel and that’s why I created Amsaan Accessible Tours – a travel company where 80% of the team members are people with deafness of various degrees, all united to create travel experiences for Deaf people.
Currently, we offer unique travel experiences in over 12 countries, with local deaf guides, the highest level of safety (we have all the necessary licenses, insurance, and much more), and complete accessibility for people whose native language is sign language.
Amsaan Accessible Tours is a company that operates under the belief that “Travel should be inclusive, not exclusive.” AAT is a company where Deaf people create tours for Deaf people, just as they would create them for their loved ones.
Personally, as the co-founder of the project, I often dive into many processes in various departments to make sure that the entire team is on the same page, that we all want the same thing — excellent and barrier-free travel experiences within the Deaf community, with safety guarantees and the best travel experience.
The idea of a travel company first came to me during the pandemic (Сovid-19). At that time, Deaf people were among the most vulnerable tourists. Flights were canceled or rescheduled, countries were closed, entry conditions changed — everything was happening quickly and dynamically. Decisions had to be made promptly. Communication difficulties, lack of information in sign language, lack of access to necessary services — all of this created obstacles.
That’s when I realised that if I wanted travel to be accessible, safe, and comfortable for us, it had to be created independently.
Deaf travellers should have the same opportunities to explore the world as everyone else. Travel inspires, expands possibilities, and is an incredible way to meet different cultures and people. It’s also about overcoming fears, because once you leave your familiar “comfort zone,” you open yourself up to new opportunities for self-expression, communication, and start seeing the world in a completely different way.
Mainstream travel companies are generally not accessible to deaf people. While some may offer basic accommodations, most do not provide full access to communication, making it difficult for deaf travellers to fully enjoy and engage in their experiences.
For example, guided tours often rely on spoken explanations without sign language interpretation, leaving deaf travellers without key information. Many airlines and hotels lack visual or sign language-based communication options, making essential processes like check-in, safety briefings, and tour bookings inaccessible. Even emergency announcements in public transport and accommodation are often audio-based, putting deaf travellers at a disadvantage.
Without proper accessibility measures, deaf travellers are left to navigate barriers that hearing travellers do not face. Also, it is important to understand that finding a tour, booking transport tickets, accommodation, and other details are crucial as well.
That’s why all our information is available in sign language, and our team includes Deaf travel experts who will assist you at every stage of the journey in a clear and understandable sign language.
Travelling in a group of Deaf people or sign language users has many advantages. Communication becomes easier, as everyone uses the same language, so there is no need for interpreters or written notes. This also creates a more inclusive and enjoyable experience, as no one feels left out.
We organise tours with groups of 8 to 12 people. This allows our team to give attention to every single person. In such a small group, in addition to making new acquaintances, tourists certainly increase their awareness of Deaf cultures from different countries. The group of tourists that arrives for a vacation with us consists of different people, but once the trip ends, these people become friends and continue to stay in touch long after the trip is over.
Before we introduce a new country to our tourists, we personally visit, scout all the details, and study the environment to make life easier for our travellers.
Most of our clients learn about us through social media platforms, such as Instagram. However, more and more often, we are receiving referrals from happy travelers who have already had an experience with us.
Right now, on our website, you can book a tour to 12 countries. You can even contact our travel experts via video call to choose a tour, learn about the details in sign language, or even book a tour independently through our website.
Our flagship and favourite destination is the UAE. We have an office in Dubai, and we are in love with this place. We also offer tours to European countries – the UK, Greece, Spain, and Italy.
For those who love exotic destinations, we already have Zanzibar and Mauritius, as well as Indonesia (Bali Island) and even Japan. We are constantly looking for new destinations to add. We strive to meet the needs of a wide variety of travellers.
For those who love activities, we offer more excursions and events, all in sign language. For those seeking more relaxation, we include more free days for independent leisure (for example, beach vacations).
We have programs that are more active, more laid-back, educational, entertaining, and so on. We are also happy to organize event formats. We already held a large Winter Festival in Dubai for the Deaf in December 2024, with over 100 tourists from different countries attending.
We are planning an even bigger event for December 2025. In the summer, we are planning a big party in Ibiza. In general, if you want to travel, you will definitely find something with us. And if you don’t find it – our team of travel experts can even create something based on your individual request.
One of the most memorable experiences from recent trips with groups of Deaf travelers was attending the Deaf festival in Dubai. It was such a powerful moment for me, as it allowed me to witness how a vibrant and diverse Deaf community gathered together from all around the world.
We’re currently working on adding new tours to countries that are rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, while ensuring the tours are fully accessible and designed specifically for the Deaf community.
Additionally, we’re developing new partnerships with local organisations and service providers to enhance the overall experience for our travellers, making sure that we continue to offer seamless and inclusive travel options.
We’re also focused on expanding our online presence and community engagement through more interactive and informative content. We want to connect with more people in the Deaf community, share inspiring travel stories, and offer helpful resources for those who want to explore the world in an accessible way.
Lastly, we’re working on some exciting collaborations with other Deaf-friendly businesses, to create even more opportunities for our traveler and strengthen the inclusivity in the travel industry.
It’s all about creating more opportunities for Deaf people to travel, explore, and enjoy the world without barriers.
Find out more about Amsaan Accessible Tours here.
