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Writing Projects

Writing is where my work began, and it remains at the heart of what I do. I specialise in accessible travel journalism that blends lived experience with practical insight, showing what travel actually looks like when you move through the world differently. That means celebrating the places getting accessibility right, while being honest about the barriers that still exist.

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My work appears in national newspapers, magazines and travel platforms, as well as destination blogs and industry publications. Whether it's a long-form feature, a destination guide or a short opinion piece, I focus on stories that help disabled travellers feel more confident and help the travel industry understand accessibility in a more meaningful way.

What I write

Carrie-Ann Lightley sits in a manual wheelchair on a lakeside path, smiling towards the camera. She is wearing sunglasses, a black top, and a green patterned skirt, with a front attachment visible on her wheelchair. Behind her, calm blue water and dramatic mountains rise under a cloudy sky.

Travel features &
destination guides

In-depth articles exploring places through an accessibility lens.
These pieces combine storytelling, practical access information and personal insight to help readers understand what a destination is really like to navigate as a disabled traveller.

Carrie-Ann Lightley sits smiling on a cruise ship deck at sunset, with a man standing behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders. She is wearing an orange dress and holding a light coloured bag, with the sea stretching out behind them and the sun setting on the horizon.

Accessible travel advice & insights

Experience-led writing that answers the questions disabled travellers often have but struggle to find clear answers to - from planning tips and reflections on travelling as a wheelchair user, to navigating common accessible travel challenges.

A smiling woman with curly hair and glasses sits in a manual wheelchair inside a café or bar space. She is wearing a burgundy co-ord with a black top, and the patterned tiled floor and counter behind her create a lively, social setting. Other people move in the background.

Industry and trade features

Articles for travel industry audiences that explore accessibility from a business perspective - inclusive tourism, the commercial opportunity of the accessible travel market, and practical ways providers can better support disabled travellers.

“Carrie-Ann was an absolute pleasure to work with — professional, creative, and incredibly easy to collaborate with from start to finish. Her guest blog for our Cotswolds website and her brilliant feature in The Independent both showcased her talent for authentic, engaging storytelling and her passion for accessible travel.” 

— Sophy Long, ​​​​Tourism Development Officer, Cotswolds Tourism

How to commission work

If you're an editor, brand or organisation interested in commissioning a piece, I'd love to hear from you. The best place to start is the contact form, which will send your request directly to my inbox. Include a short outline of the publication or platform, the audience, and the type of article you have in mind, and we can shape the story from there.

Depending on the project, writing can be supported by photography, social content or wider storytelling around a destination or experience. Every project is slightly different, but the goal is always the same: thoughtful, honest writing rooted in lived experience.

Sample Portfolio

Here is a selection of articles that have been published in major publications including The Independent, The Sun, and The Telegraph.

INDEPENDENT:
Ease, not excess: What luxury cruising looks like when you’re a disabled traveller
INDEPENDENT: 
I’m a wheelchair user from the Lake District – here’s how to explore it without limits
INDEPENDENT:
Is the Cotswolds now accessible? A wheelchair user’s guide
CONDE NAST TRAVELLER:
What makes a destination truly accessible? 8 Disabled travellers
THE TELEGRAPH:
Ten of the most accessible cities in Europe, and how to visit them
THE TELEGRAPH:
Travelling with a disability is still far from easy – but slowly, things are changing
THE SUN:
I went on an accessible group cruise around Europe – here’s what you can expect
BUSTLE
I'm A Travel Writer Who Uses A Wheelchair — And The Genre Needs More Stories Like Mine

©2026 Carrie-Ann Lightley​ | Cookies & Privacy

Image credits: VisitScotland/Allan Myles /Lydia Smith. Rachel Airey. Joel Ryder Media for Icons of Inclusion/Out There Publishing Ltd.

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