Skip to content
Avoya III

Special Needs Group®/Special Needs at Sea® Honors Avoya Travel® as its 2024 Power Partner of the Year

23 January 2025 SNG is pleased to announce Avoya Travel® as its Power Partner of the Year for 2024. Below, please find Official Press Release. Media Contact: Durée & Company, Inc. [email protected] / 954-723-9350 Special Needs Group®/Special Needs at Sea® Honors Avoya Travel® as its 2024 Power Partner of the Year Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Jan. 23, 2025 — Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® is proud to recognize Avoya Travel® as its 2024 Power Partner of the Year…

Read more

SPECIAL NEEDS AT SEA ANNOUNCES COMMISSION PROGRAM FOR TRAVEL AGENTS

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (December 15, 2008) – Special Needs at Sea, (www.specialneedsatsea.com), a global source for special needs equipment for travelers, is partnering with travel agents and paying 10 percent commission on rentals of its complete line of special needs equipment. A full-service special needs supplier, the company provides equipment ranging from electric scooters, wheelchairs, powerchairs and oxygen to relief materials for companion animals, hearing devices and Braille printing.  “Travel agents play an important role in vacation planning and we…

Read more
8D130429 3048 87A6 EE3C6C8C177B5DD2

ANDREW GARNETT, FOUNDER/CEO SPECIAL NEEDS AT SEA, TO PRESENT AT SATH 13th WORLD CONGRESS IN ORLANDO, JANUARY 4 – 8

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (December 31, 2008) – Andrew Garnett, founder and CEO of Special Needs at Sea, (www.specialneedsatsea.com), is scheduled to speak as a member of “The Money Making Panel” at the SATH 13th World Congress, the premier event for education about travelers with disabilities and the mature, to be held January 4-8, 2009 at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida,  Garnett, whose company is a global source for special needs equipment for travelers, will focus on…

Read more
8D123F33 3048 87A6 EE2A12AB61E05273

SPECIAL NEEDS AT SEA JOINS OSSN, TRAVEL INDUSTRY’S PREMIERE TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR INDEPENDENT AND HOME-BASED AGENTS

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Special Needs at Sea, (www.specialneedsatsea.com), a one-stop source for mobility aides, oxygen and other equipment for travelers with disabilities, has joined the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN), a travel industry association for independent and home-based sellers of travel. According to Andrew Garnett, founder and CEO of Special Needs at Sea, as an Affiliated Supplier to OSSN, Special Needs at Sea will help OSSN’s network of 7,800 travel agents access the expanding niche market of travelers with…

Read more

SPECIAL NEEDS AT SEA HELPS TRAVELERS NAVIGATE SMOOTHLY ABOARD SHIP AND ON SHORE EXCURSIONS FOR AN EFFORTLESS CRUISE EXPERIENCE—AND HELPS YOU TAP INTO THE $13.6 BILLION DISABILITY TRAVEL MARKET

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (November 19, 2009)– Special Needs at Sea can help you capture your share of bookings within the $13.6 billion disability travel market while helping your clients take charge of their physical limitations.  Whether your clients have serious mobility challenges, require supplemental oxygen, are hearing impaired or are simply concerned about walking long distances, Special Needs at Sea (www.specialneedsatsea.com), a Special Needs Group company, provides the equipment and services your clients need to make their cruise vacation smooth…

Read more

CRUISE LINE ACCESSIBILITY

With all the cruise ships currently sailing and the cruise industry’s recent building “boom”---52 NEW vessels delivered or on order between 2009 and 2012---it is not always clear as to which ships are the most accessible and the best for sailing.  Special Needs Group highly recommends that you work with travel professionals who have experience booking special needs travel. A specialized agent can help you anticipate and prepare for challenges. We put together simple questions to ask your travel professional…

Read more
844060C7 0996 B669 40D01C236D803B16

ASTA Partners with Special Needs Group

Alliance Recognizes Special Needs and Mature Markets as Industry Growth Segments   Alexandria, VA, February 13, 2018 – The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) today announced that Special Needs Group, Inc. (SNG) has been appointed the official mobility and special needs partner for both ASTA and its sister association, the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA).   “If professional travel advisors are to effectively service evolving consumer needs and emerging market segments like the special needs market, they…

Read more
A1391B8E 9BA2 EB4B 23E1828AB17A0F6D

Celebrity Cruises® Sales Team enters 2018 as SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates®

SNG Media Contact Jim Smith, CTIE 561.362.3887 Mobile 954.270.9266 [email protected]   Celebrity Cruises® Sales Team enters 2018 as SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates®     Fort Lauderdale, FL – January 22, 2018   “We are thrilled to announce the Celebrity Cruises Sales Organization as the 1st Travel Industry Supplier Team to have successfully completed the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA) program” remarked SNG President & CEO, Andrew Garnett. By doing so, Celebrity is taking a leadership role and furthering the mission of…

Read more
A1391B8E 9BA2 EB4B 23E1828AB17A0F6D

Porthole Cruise Magazine Names Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea®Winner of its 2018 Editor-in-Chief Awards, Best Mobility/Accessibility Provider Category

  Media Contact Durée Ross, Durée & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 [email protected]   Porthole Cruise Magazine Names Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® Winner of its 2018 Editor-in-Chief Awards, Best Mobility/Accessibility Provider Category Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Jan. 10, 2018 — Porthole Cruise Magazine has named Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® (SNG) www.specialneedsgroup.com the winner of its 2018 Editor-in-Chief Awards in the Best Mobility/Accessibility Provider category. SNG is the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter…

Read more
A1391B8E 9BA2 EB4B 23E1828AB17A0F6D

Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® Named Silver Winner of the 2017 Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Hospitality, Overall — Special Needs

                Media Contact Durée Ross, Durée & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 [email protected]     Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® Named Silver Winner of the 2017 Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Hospitality, Overall -- Special Needs  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Andrew J. Garnett, SNG founder, president & CEO of Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® (SNG) www.specialneedsgroup.com, is pleased to announce that the company was recently named the…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

SNG announces Certification Milestone

        Special Needs Group announces Certification Milestone 2,500 SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates®   Fort Lauderdale, FL – November 13th, 2015….On the 4th Anniversary of the introduction of the Travel Industry’s 1st Certification program designed to assist Travel Professionals serve those with Special Needs and Disabilities, SNG President and CEO Andrew J. Garnett made the following statement: “I am ecstatic to announce that our mission of Delivering an Accessible World has been fortified by 2,500 SNG Certified…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Travel Agent wins free MSC Cruise in Special Needs Group Certification promotion

                For Immediate Release   Travel Agent wins free MSC Cruise in Special Needs Group Certification promotion   Fort Lauderdale, FL July 17, 2014 – Gloria Hallick, ACC of Expedia CruiseShipCenters in Alberta, Canada is the lucky winner of the SNG Certification promotion that resulted in SNG celebrating over 2,000 Certified Accessible Travel Advocates. She will enjoy an MSC Caribbean Cruise for 2 in a balcony stateroom courtesy of MSC Cruises and Special…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® Continue Efforts to Provide Awareness for Special Needs Travel

                For Immediate Release Special Needs Group® / Special Needs at Sea® Continue Efforts to Provide Awareness for Special Needs Travel at National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla. Special Needs Group President & CEO Andrew J. Garnett to Speak at Convention on July 3 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — July 1, 2014 — While the core mission of Special Needs Group® (SNG), www.specialneedsgroup.com, is to make travel a more viable,…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Special Needs Group and Sun & Fun Cycles Team Up to Expand Access to Widely Acclaimed Hollywood Beach, FL Broadwalk

                For Immediate Release Special Needs Group and Sun & Fun Cycles Team Up to Expand Access to Widely Acclaimed Hollywood Beach, FL Broadwalk, Empowering Individuals with Special Needs to Explore Popular Tourist Destination Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, One of the Safest in the Area with No Cars/Motorized Vehicles, Now the Only South Florida Beach Area Providing Special Needs Equipment Rentals Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – May 16, 2014 – Ensuring that everyone, including individuals…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

MSC Cruises Partners with Special Needs Group for Agent Education

              For Immediate Release   MSC Cruises Partners with Special Needs Group for Agent Education –                      Offers Free Cruise for SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate® Certification Promotion   Fort Lauderdale, FL April 16, 2014 – MSC Cruises, a long-standing supporter of the Retail Travel Agent distribution system has partnered with Special Needs Group to encourage Travel Agents to tap into the world’s fastest growing demographic; Travelers with disabilities and special needs. Travel Agents who…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP’S TRAVEL PARTNERS SUPPORT CAMILLUS HOUSE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Special Needs Group’s Travel Partners Support Camillus House   MIAMI, FLORIDA April 9, 2014 – Camillus House is pleased to announce that Special Needs Group (SNG), a long time benefactor of the charity, has enlisted the support of its travel industry partners to help Camillus House. SNG, a leading global provider of special needs equipment rentals for travelers, has hosted “Scooting for Charity” events at several travel industry conferences and special events with Camillus House…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

6 Travel Agent Winners and over 1,600 SNG CATA

        For Immediate Release Special Needs Group® celebrates the 2013 Holiday Season with 6 Travel Agent winners of “The Great SNG Droid Winter Rush™” promotion and over 1,600 SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates™   Dania Beach, Fla. – December 26th, 2013 -- Special Needs Group, Inc., the leading global provider of special needs equipment rentals, announced 6 Travel Agent Winners of “The Great SNG Droid Winter Rush™” initiative. “Our goal was to reach 1500 SNG Certified Accessible…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

SNG Ends 2013 with Donation to Camillus House

        For Immediate Release Special Needs Group Ends 2013 with Donation of Two Mobility Scooters and a Check for $2500 to Camillus House Organization Has Provided Non-Profits with $17,500 Worth of Mobility Scooters This Year     Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Dec. 5, 2013 – Special Needs Group, Inc., www.specialneedsgroup.com, the leading global provider of special needs equipment rentals, is committed to supporting the South Florida community. As a part of this promise of friendship and assistance, to date, the organization has donated…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Special Needs Group Gives Back to Community

        Special Needs Group Gives Back to Local Community, Donates $2,500 Mobility Scooter to 18-Year-Old Celexia Dixon, Intern at ARC Broward First of 10 Scooters that Special Needs Group will Donate to South Floridians in Need Sunrise, Fla. – July 31, 2013 -- Special Needs Group, Inc., the leading global provider of special needs equipment rentals, is committed to supporting the local community. Reflecting this commitment, the organization donated a $2,500 mobility scooter to 18-year-old South Florida…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Comprehensive Accessibility/Special Needs Content on all Royal Caribbean Branded Ships now available on SNG Website

        Fort Lauderdale, FL July 15th, 2013 - Continuing its commitment of “Delivering an Accessible World”, Special Needs Group® (SNG) announced today that comprehensive access/special needs content for the Royal Caribbean International® fleet is now available and can be found in the SNG Web Portal https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/cruise-accessibility/royal-caribbean/ SNG President and CEO, Andrew Garnett remarked: “We hope to have to have all ships serving the North American Travel Agent Distribution System loaded on our site by the end of…

Read more
2816AA92 8AB6 437A AB371773A4D2393C

Baby Boomers Twice as Likely to Use Assistive Walking Devices Than Previous Generation

        Journal of the American Medical Association study reveals new consumer attitudes   Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – June 20, 2013 – According to a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in March 2013 (https://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1568518), baby boomers are twice more likely to use assistive walking devices than the generation before them. These individuals, who may have disabilities or simply be “slow walkers,” also make up a significant part of the $13.6 billion per year…

Read more
FE594650 9416 4D56 B99500F4980D0FDA

Special Needs Group First to Expand Special Needs Equipment/Services Throughout All of Italy

      Italy First of Many Countries that SNG Plans for its Expansion Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – April 26, 2013 – Andrew Garnett, president and CEO of Special Needs Group, Inc. (SNG) www.specialneedsgroup.com, the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals and other special needs equipment rentals, is pleased to announce that as of May 1, 2013, the company will expand its special needs equipment and services throughout all of Italy. Until now, this service did…

Read more
FE594650 9416 4D56 B99500F4980D0FDA

Special Needs Group Debuts New Ship Accessibility Portal

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fort Lauderdale, FL April 8, 2013…To further its commitment of “Delivering an Accessible World” Special Needs Group (SNG) has upgraded the Company’s Web Portal and debuted what promises to be the most comprehensive Cruise Line accessibility content-rich resource. SNG President, Andrew Garnett, stated: “We have dedicated 2013 as the year to equip travel agents and those with disabilities and special needs with relevant informational resources that enable/facilitate the experience and joy of travel.…

Read more
FE594650 9416 4D56 B99500F4980D0FDA

Special Needs Group announces Resources to assist Travel Professionals “Deliver an Accessible World”

New Web assets, collateral materials developed and additions to staff dedicated to the Travel Professional Distribution Channel now onboard For Immediate Release: Fort Lauderdale, FL – March 5, 2013 With a keen focus and commitment to the Travel Agency Distribution System, Special Needs Group president & CEO, Andrew Garnett announced the first of what he calls “The SNG Travel Professional Commitment”. “With over 1,100 Travel Professional certified as “SNG Accessible Travel Advocates™” , we have committed to making 2013 the…

Read more
FE594650 9416 4D56 B99500F4980D0FDA

Additional Travel Agent Winners in the “SNG Great Droid Double Down” promotion as Special Needs Group recognizes over 1000 SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates™

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Seven Agents claim Droid Tablets as over one thousand Travel Professionals acquire skill sets to service the rapidly expanding Special Needs Travel Segment Fort Lauderdale, FL December 18, 2012 What began as a promotion that promised 2 winners concluded as a Seasonal Bonanza for 7 Professional Travel Agents and resulted in the milestone achievement of over 1,000 SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates™ according to Andrew J. Garnett, president and CEO of Special Needs Group™/Special Needs at Sea™. “We are overwhelmed and…

Read more
7F816BD7 679C 4DDB 924A6A3A3F9FDFF6

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP WINS GOLD AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARD FOR THE SECOND YEAR

Special Needs Group, Inc. was presented with a Gold Stevie® Award in the Corporate Social Responsibilty Program of the Year category in The 10th Annual American Business Awards last night.  This is the second win for Special Needs Group. The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.  Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,”…

Read more
9EC0B432 29CD 4698 AF986BC7A2E928F1

Porthole Cruise Magazine Names Special Needs Group Winner of Its Editor-in-Chief Awards 2012 ‘Best Travel Assistance For Cruisers With Disabilities’ Category

DANIA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24, 2012  -- Porthole Cruise Magazine has named Special Needs Group ( https://www.specialneedsgroup.com ), the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, as the winner of its Editor-in-Chief Award 2012 for "Best Travel Assistance For Cruisers With Disabilities." 2012 marks the first year that Porthole has included the category "Best Travel Assistance For Cruisers With Disabilities" as part of its annual Editor-in-Chief Awards. The awards are determined by Bill Panoff, the magazine's…

Read more

Special Needs Group Provides an Early Christmas Gift for a Worthy Child

MIAMI (CBS4) – Just weeks ago Alma Santos and her son Jaime were homeless, living in a shelter and dreams for a Christmas with cheer seemed unimaginable. But now, thanks to CBS4 viewers, our community and Neighbors 4 Neighbors; the gifts keep pouring in. Chief Investigator Michele Gillen first introduced us to this devoted mother and child two weeks ago, on Homeless Awareness Day. They shared their joy of having a home to call their own. The former live-in caretaker…

Read more
83134F64 8FCC 45B1 99182A78B52634FA

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP LAUNCHES SNG CERTIFIED ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL ADVOCATE PROGRAM

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Nov. 3, 2011 – Andrew J. Garnett, president and CEO of Special Needs Group, (www.specialneedsgroup.com), the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, announced today that the company is launching a powerful, unprecedented online Accessible Travel Advocate course for all travel professionals.   The one-hour, three-module program objectives focus on understanding accessible travel, building expertise in accessible travel and demonstrating accessible travel advocacy skills. These are critical subject matter areas for travel…

Read more

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP NAMED EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF SPECIAL NEEDS EQUIPMENT FOR NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

  Fort Lauderdale, FL – Special Needs Group, Inc. (www.specialneedsgroup.com), a global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, was recently named the exclusive special needs equipment supplier for Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com), one of the world’s major cruise companies.  The agreement, which is effective immediately, applies to all 11 ships of Norwegian’s fleet including their newest and largest ship the 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic.  “We are proud to be affiliated with Norwegian Cruise Line, an outstanding cruise company…

Read more
Back To Top