Having a disability means just that: you have a disability. It doesn’t mean you can’t do anything you set your mind to, including exploring the farthest corners of the globe. These inspiring travel bloggers know that the sky’s the limit, no matter your level of ability, which is one of the many reasons they’ve been nominated for the Best Accessible Travel Blogger of 2020.

And the winner is… well, we can’t tell you that just yet. What we can tell you is that one participant will be crowned the king or queen of accessible travel by our expert panel and nominated to run for the British Travel Awards’ Best Blogger Award, sponsored by Teletext Holidays (that’s us!). 

Travel to Recovery

Blogger Name: Jenni Sheldon

Blog URL: www.traveltorecovery.com

Why Should I Win?

Accessible travel is not all about wheelchair travel - invisible illnesses are just as challenging to travel with. I have stage 4 cancer, and I highlight travelling with a chronic illness and look for easy ways to visit a destination if you have mobility limitations. I want to encourage people with illnesses that travel is still possible. It might have to be done slightly differently, but you shouldn’t give up on dreams of seeing the world.

Due to COVID, travel is on hold for lots of people, myself included. At the moment I am focusing on UK travel and how we have some amazing places on our doorstep.

My Proudest Achievement Over the Past Year

My proudest achievement was when a follower thanked me for giving her the courage to take a solo trip that she was too scared to do. After following my blog for a couple of years and seeing that I didn't let my illness stop me, she decided to try one of my past trips for herself and now she is planning her next trip. To get thanks for showing someone that travel is still possible even if you struggle with daily life means so much to me and that's the aim of my blog: to encourage people living with life-limiting illnesses that travel is still possible.

Carrie-AnnLightley.com

Blogger Name: Carrie-Ann Lightley

Blog URL: www.carrieannlightley.com

Why Should I Win?

My name is Carrie-Ann Lightley, and I run a blog of the same name, https://www.CarrieAnnLightley.com/. I’d like to be considered for the Best Accessible Travel Blogger category. Carrie-AnnLightley.com is one of the UK’s leading accessible travel blogs, encouraging and inspiring disabled people to travel through accessibility reviews, disability travel guides and wheelchair travel tips, as well as a brand new fortnightly accessible travel newsletter. Right now I’m focussing on providing much-needed information on how travel can be made safe and accessible for disabled people in the 'new normal'; including guest posts from wheelchair users who have travelled during the pandemic, interviews with accommodation providers as they reopen and reviews of virtual travel experiences.

My Proudest Achievement Over the Past Year

My proudest achievement of this year has been writing a feature on accessible travel for a national newspaper; in July, The Sun published my guide to accessible travel in 2020: Disabled blogger’s guide for planning an accessible trip this year as lockdown eases.

Life in a Break Down

Blogger Name: Sarah Bailey

Blog URL: www.lifeinabreakdown.com

Why Should I Win?

My blog was started when my physical health started declining - since then it has only gotten worse. Over the past 12 months, we have started trying to step out of the travel bubble we were in including staying at places we had tried before and have come across the issues within the accessible travel industry. Often places marked as accessible aren't (I'm looking at you, big hotels), or they cost a lot of extra money. Once I am able to travel more again I am hoping to share more of my accessible travel finds in the UK, as they are out there and they don't have to cost a fortune (and you can sometimes even take your pet). I hope to also bring awareness to companies that just have a room on the ground floor and a handle on the bath - this doesn't make a room accessible and they should be more open and honest about what they are offering.

My Proudest Achievements Over the Past Year

Coming to terms more with my health issues and asking for help. Also I was put in the top 10 health blogs by Vulieo for 2020.

Plus Size Travel Too

Blogger Name: Kirsty Leanne

Blog URL: www.plussizetraveltoo.com

Why Should I Win?

When it comes to the world of travel, both my blog and social media channels are all about ensuring it is accessible to plus-size travellers. From advice when it comes to finding the size of plane seats for different airlines to inspiration when it comes to plus size friendly destinations, I want to make people like me feel welcome in an industry that often makes them feel as though they don't belong. By creating a community of plus size travellers and launching the world's first-ever site dedicated solely to plus size travel, I like to believe I have started breaking down those barriers that often make it difficult for those who don't have the confidence to travel when it doesn't feel accessible to them. I want to show the world that everyone deserves to travel and that you don't have to lose weight in order to make those dreams a reality, something I let hold me back for years and years. 

My Proudest Achievements Over the Past Year

I have a couple that I'd love to share! First of all, launching the first-ever website that is dedicated solely to plus size travel has been a huge achievement for me. Although it's in the early stages, I want it to become a trusted resource for all plus size people looking to travel, featuring real-life stories, advice and news. Secondly, I have spoken on a number of different panels, championing plus size diversity in travel marketing. As plus size people are rarely represented when it comes to travel, I want to encourage brands to consider why that may be damaging to them as a business (both financially and politically). Two key speaking opportunities that stand out to me are WTM London and The Social Travel Summit in Ravenna, Italy.