TN Tourism Teams With Songwriters To Enhance Online Travel Experience For Impaired Visitors

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The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is partnering with songwriters in an industry-first initiative called “Sound Sites” to enhance the online travel experience for blind and visually impaired visitors, redefining accessibility through the power of music.

The groundbreaking program replaces standard image descriptions known as alt-text on TNVacation.com with inspiring song lyrics, allowing travelers using screen readers to experience Tennessee’s landscapes, culture and spirit through poetic, immersive storytelling.

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Capitalizing on one of Tennessee’s most iconic assets—its legendary songwriters—the initiative creates a richer and more evocative way for visually impaired travelers to connect with the state. Instead of generic, uninspired alt-text such as “image of a mountain” or “street at night,” visitors will hear lyrical descriptions that bring Tennessee’s scenic beauty to life.

“Music has the power to connect us all, regardless of how we experience the world,” says Billy Montana, a Tennessee-based songwriter with hits recorded by Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw. “Sound Sites is a beautiful example of how we can use creativity to make travel more accessible and welcoming to all. I’m honored to be a part of a project helping people feel more connected to Tennessee and to each other.”

Montana is one of 12 songwriters bringing Sound Sites to life, joining an all-star lineup that includes country music legend Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks and songwriter Michael Farren. The initiative also features a diverse range of artists, from Americana storyteller Hilary Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr., and indie-rock powerhouse Nicole Atkins to Nashville hitmakers David Tolliver, Adam Wood, Brian Davis, Thomas Edwards and Jack Settle. JP Williams, a celebrated blind singer-songwriter, brings an especially meaningful perspective to the project, helping to ensure that Tennessee’s landscapes are not only seen, but truly felt.

More than seven million Americans have a non-corrective visual disability, including more than one million who are blind, according to the National Federation of the Blind, and that number is expected to double by 2050. Recognizing the need for more meaningful and engaging online experiences, Tennessee is going beyond traditional accessibility standards. While accessibility standards have traditionally focused on functionality, Sound Sites elevates them to an art form, using human creativity to ensure all travelers can experience Tennessee with wonder and excitement.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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