Carrie-Ann Lightley

26/03/2026

Naidex 2026 💜

Probably my favourite Naidex yet! Two panel appearances, catch ups with the best people, and so much fun.

A full theatre for the accessible travel panel on day 1! And a really insightful discussion on the green spaces panel on day 2.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to come and chat to me. There’s something so powerful that happens when disabled people are the majority in a room. We stop apologising and over-explaining. We can just BE. The ultimate safe space 🥰

Video highlights coming soon ✨ but first, sleep, with a very happy heart 🥹

20/03/2026

Happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! Some wisdom from my fellow CP-havers. We’re so ✨inspirational✨😂

19/03/2026

"Before, every journey took planning or didn’t happen at all.

Now it’s just getting in and going."

For Carrie-Ann, having access to the right vehicle means she can travel, work, and fully show up in what she does.

This is what access unlocks.

16/03/2026

Who’s coming to this year? I’d love to see you there! 👋

I’ll be speaking twice at the Accessibility Hub, and I’m really looking forward to both conversations.

Day 1 – 11:50am
✈️ Planes, Trains & Automatic Access
Transport & travel panel

Day 2 – 10:15am
🌿 Creating Opportunities to Access Green Spaces
Panel discussion

Both sessions are happening at the Accessibility Hub, so if you’re around please come along and say hello.

The rest of the time I’ll be exploring the exhibition, catching up with friends across the sector, and meeting new people. Naidex is always one of those rare spaces where disabled people, businesses, innovators and advocates are all in the same room, and the conversations that happen there really matter.

If you’re attending, let me know. I’d love to know what sessions you’re excited about and which exhibitors are on your must visit list.

And if you see me rolling around the show floor, please do stop me for a chat 😊🩷

10/03/2026

This is part of how I help more disabled people travel 🌍🎤

Last week I spoke at the Tay Country Tourism Conference in Dundee. Rooms like this are where a lot of the behind the scenes work happens. The conversations with tourism boards, destinations, hotels and attractions about what accessibility actually means in practice.

I talk about travel from a lived experience perspective. What works, what gets in the way, and the small changes that can make a huge difference to whether somewhere feels possible to visit.

And every time these conversations happen, a few more businesses start thinking differently. Which means a few more places become easier to visit. Which means a few more disabled people get to travel.

And that’s why I care so much about doing this work. 🩷

What change would make the biggest difference to your trips?

Images: Lydia Smith /

02/03/2026

A peaceful accessible Yorkshire escape 🌿

Staying at The Old Stables at Nordham Cottages in North Cave was exactly what we needed. A slow, restorative break with my husband Darren and our dog Poppy, in a cottage that truly understands accessibility.

From secure undercover parking straight into the property, to a spacious wet room with flexible equipment options, to a kitchen with lowered worktops that meant I could cook independently, everything was thoughtfully designed. It feels like a beautiful home that happens to be accessible, not the other way round.

We enjoyed breakfast at The Little Butty Bus, fish and chips back at the cottage, brunch at Drewton's, countryside walks from the door, and even a seaside day at Flamborough Head and Bridlington.

Check out the review and start planning your next accessible adventure!

📖 Read my full wheelchair accessible cottage review: https://www.carrieannlightley.com/post/east-yorkshire-accessible-holiday-cottage

Have you explored East Yorkshire, or is it somewhere you would consider for a countryside break?

[Gifted stay]

Honest wheelchair accessible cottage review of The Old Stables in North Cave, East Yorkshire. Detailed insights on parking, wet room transfers, bedroom setup, kitchen independence, enclosed dog friendly garden and nearby accessible places to eat and explore.

28/02/2026

This is who. 🩷

The girl with the walking frame in the classroom. The one with sand in her shoes and casts on her legs. The one who climbed anyway.

Disability was never a plot twist in my life. It’s always been there.

Now I write the guides I once needed, I ask the access questions others overlook, I help brands understand that accessibility is not niche, special or optional.

This is who still believes travel should work for everyone. And she always has. 🩷