The AccessAble Podcast

What does Accessible Tourism look in 2026 and beyond? From Information to Industry Leadership 

Gregory Burke hosts the AccessAble Podcast with Marina Di Duca (Visit Scotland) and Ross Calladine (Visit England) to discuss what accessible tourism means in 2026 and how the definition has broadened from physical access to include sensory, cognitive, non-visible, and economic barriers.  

In our latest conversation, they addressed common misconceptions such as equating accessibility solely with wheelchair access or compliance and emphasised incremental improvements, the business case for inclusion, and the influence of disabled travellers on wider spending.  

Highlighting the importance of consistent, honest, detailed accessibility information that “describes rather than prescribes,” supported by feedback loops from customers and staff, noting collaborations with AccessAble and their partnership with 28 local visitor economy partnerships in England. 

About our Host – Dr. Gregory Burke  

Dr Gregory Burke is the Founder and Executive Chair of AccessAble, the UK’s leading provider of detailed accessibility information for disabled people. A wheelchair user since age 16, Gregory founded the organisation (originally DisabledGo) in 2000 to solve the "postcode lottery" of unreliable accessibility information that he personally experienced.  

Gregory is a multi-talented leader who balances his work in tourism with a distinguished legal career as a leading barrister at 7BR Chambers in London. Specialising in employment and discrimination law, he was named one of the top 100 most influential disabled people in the UK for six consecutive years. 

Connect with Gregory: 

LinkedIn: Dr Gregory Burke 

Connect with our Guests  

About Maria Di Duca – Visit Scotland  

 Marina Di Duca is the Inclusive Tourism Manager at VisitScotland, where she leads national efforts to ensure Scotland’s world-class tourism industry is accessible to everyone. With over 40 years of experience in marketing, corporate communications, and tourism development, Marina is a leading advocate for the "inclusive tourism" movement. Maria spearheads major accessibility initiatives, including a partnership with AccessAble to create over 300 Detailed Access Guides for Scottish venues.  

Connect with Marina: 

LinkedIn: Marina Di Duca 

Organisation Website: VisitScotland.org 

About Ross Calladine – Visit England 

Ross Calladine is the Accessibility and Inclusion Lead at VisitEngland and serves as the UK Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Tourism. With nearly 20 years of experience in the tourism sector, Ross is a globally recognised authority on inclusive travel, dedicated to making England a destination of choice for visitors with all types of access requirements. 

Connect with Ross: 

LinkedIn: Ross Calladine 

Organisation Website: VisitEngland  

Chapters and Timestamps 

00:00 Welcome and Guests 

00:46 Meet Marina Visit Scotland 

01:51 Meet Ross Visit England 

02:52 Defining Accessible Tourism 

06:17 Complex Needs and Business Case for 

08:20 Industry Misconceptions 

11:03 Small Business Reality 

13:50 Tourism Board Leadership 

16:12 Fixing the Information Gap 

22:55 Describe Not Prescribe 

30:02 Initiatives That Work 

35:07 Is the UK Leading in Accessible Tourism? 

41:26 Closing Thanks 

To download the full transcript of this episode, click here  

This podcast is produced and edited by Lucy Wood 

What does truly inclusive hospitality look like?

In this episode of the AccessAble Podcast, host Carrie Ann Lightley sits down with award-winning leaders in accessible tourism.

Felicity Brown (Hoe Grange Holidays), James Dixon (Marsham Court Hotel), Thania Meneses (Trimontium Museum), and Jenny Goodall (Eureka National Children’s Museum). Together, they share inspiring stories and practical tips on creating welcoming spaces for everyone—from rural log cabins and sensory-friendly hotel rooms to museums that adapt to visitors rather than the other way around. Discover:

• Why accessibility is more than a business decision
• Low-cost changes that make a big impact,
• How detailed access information builds trust and confidence.
• The business case for inclusion and why it matters for staff morale and customer loyalty.

If you’re a hospitality professional, this episode has actionable insights and real-world examples to help you start or strengthen your accessibility journey.

Listen now and learn how small steps can create big changes.

View the transcript here (Opens in a new tab)

Episode 1: Gregory's journey

In this episode of The AccessAble podcast, we’re launching a special mini-series called The AccessAble Ignite Series, which will celebrate the incredible journeys of disabled entrepreneurs.  

 To help us kick things off, our Chief Executive, Anna Nelson is joined by Dr. Gregory Burke, our Founder and Executive Chair, who will share his story as a disabled entrepreneur.  

 Almost 25 years ago, Gregory was a young disabled entrepreneur with a vision to improve the lives of disabled people - and the drive to make it happen. With an unsecured £25,000 loan, Gregory started a business that now serves 6 million disabled people annually, supports over 500 clients, and employs over 110 people. Now, Gregory wants to extend that opportunity to someone else.  

 Gregory tells us all about the new AccessAble Ignite Award, its mission, and how it’s designed to empower the next generation of innovators. 

Join us as Gregory shares his journey and how he aims to make a difference in AccessAble’s 25th year.   

To read a full transcript of this episode, please click here (Opens in a new tab)

Hosted by Anna Nelson

About This Episode

In this episode of The AccesAble Podcast, we’re joined by digital accessibility advocate Holly Tuke to dive deep into the world of digital accessibility and why it's crucial for creating an inclusive online experience. Holly shares her personal journey and expertise, highlighting the key areas where businesses often fall short and how they can improve accessibility across their digital platforms—from websites and apps to social media and online content.

Throughout the episode, Holly explains the importance of making digital spaces accessible to everyone, particularly disabled people, and offers practical tips for companies and individuals alike. Learn how small adjustments, such as adding alt text to images, creating keyboard-friendly navigation, and ensuring colour contrast, can have a huge impact on your audience. Whether you're a business owner or someone who creates content online, Holly’s insights will inspire you to take actionable steps toward digital inclusion.

View the Transcript here (Opens in a new tab)

About our Guest

Find out more about Holly by visiting her website www.lifeofablindgirl.com (Opens in a new tab)

For more information about AccessAble, visit ⁠AccessAble.co.uk ⁠(Opens in a new Tab)

The AccessAble Podcast is hosted by Carrie–Ann Lightley and produced by Lucy Wood.

About this Episode

In the latest edition of The AccessAble Podcast, AccessAble’s Head of Marketing and Communications chats with AccessAble Ambassadors and theatre lovers, Emma Purcell and Pippa Stacey.

Join us as we explore the world of theatre and discuss the

For a full transcript of this episode, click here

About our Guests

Emma Purcell

Emma is a talented Freelance Journalist; Emma also blogs

Pippa Stacey

Pippa Stacey is an award-winning writer, speaker, and

Episode Links

⁠Connect with Emma Purcell at Crip Life (Opens in new Tab) and Rock for Disability (Opens in a New Tab)

⁠Connect with Pippa at Life of Pippa (Opens in new Tab)

For more information about AccessAble, visit ⁠AccessAble.co.uk ⁠(Opens in a new Tab)

The AccessAble Podcast is Hosted by Carrie–Ann Lightley and Produced by Lucy Wood

About this Episode

In the latest addition of The AccessAble Podcast, head of Marketing and Communications chats to AccessAble Ambassador and Changing Places advocate Ross Hovey.

Ross talks about the personal impact Changing Places facilities have on his personal and professional life and the difference these toilets can make to disabled people.

For a full transcript of this episode, click here

About our Guest

To view a transcript of this episode click here (Opens in a new tab)

Links for this Episode

Follow Ross on Instagram (Opens in a new tab)

Find out more about Changing Places UK (Opens in new Tab)

For More information about AccessAble, visit AccessAble.co.uk (Opens in a new Tab)

About this Episode

AccessAble's Founder and Chair Dr. Gregory Burke is joined by Princeton University's Michael Barnes, Director of Campus Accessibility to discuss the partnership between the Ivy League University and AccessAble.

Download the episode transcript.

Join our guest, AccessAble Ambassador Kerry Thompson and host, Head of Marketing Carrie-Ann Lightley, as they share their experiences, shedding light on their struggles when seeking accessible healthcare. From logistical hurdles to the physical barriers within medical facilities, we explore the multifaceted challenges disabled people confront in seeking necessary screening.

This conversation aims to raise awareness, foster understanding, and inspire positive change to help disabled people access the healthcare they need and deserve.

Join our guest, AccessAble Ambassador Charlie Randell and host, Head of Marketing Carrie-Ann, as they share their inspiring stories and personal insights into growing up with Cerebral Palsy.

Through candid conversations, Charlie and Carrie-Ann explore their childhood experiences, shedding light on their challenges, the triumphs they celebrated, and their invaluable lessons. As two generations of individuals living with Cerebral Palsy, they reflect on the societal attitudes towards disability during their formative years and contrast them with the evolving landscape today.

In this heartfelt episode, Charlie and Carrie-Ann reminisce about their journeys and extend a guiding hand to the younger generation. They offer practical advice, emotional support, and empowering messages to children and youth navigating the complexities of living with disabilities. Their unique perspectives highlight the importance of self-acceptance and resilience and the significance of building a supportive community.

Tune in to this insightful conversation that delves into the intersection of disability, childhood, and youth. Join us as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and determination of individuals with disabilities, showcasing how embracing one's identity can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. Don't miss this special episode, filled with wisdom, laughter, and encouragement, as we commemorate Disability History Month 2023 with the AccessAble Podcast.

To view a transcript of this episode please click here (Opens in a new tab)

About the Episode

Read the transcript of this episode

Hannah is a dedicated GP, an AccessAble Ambassador, and a disabled person herself.

She brings a unique perspective to the discussion on mental health, blending her professional expertise with her lived experience as someone with a disability.

Hannah shares valuable insights on dealing with challenging mental health periods, drawing from her extensive medical background. As a GP, she provides practical tips and advice for managing mental health, especially in the context of disability. Additionally, she opens up about her personal journey with mental health, offering a glimpse into her own experiences and how they have shaped her understanding of mental well-being.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that delves into the intersection of disability and mental health, exploring this vital topic's medical and personal aspects.

Links and Resources

Find support from the Samaritans (opens in a new tab)

Find out more about Hannah, visit her website (opens in a new tab)

Follow on Socials

Hannah on Twitter/X (opens in a new tab)

Hannah on Instagram

Hannah on LinkedIn

About AccessAble

AccessAble gives you the detailed information you need to work out if a place will be accessible to you. Our Detailed Access Guides tell you all about a venue's access. They are 100% facts, figures and photographs.

Everyone’s accessibility needs differ, so detailed, accurate information is essential. So it's why we send our trained surveyors to check out every single place in person and why the information we collect has all been decided by our user community.Please find out more about our work and mission by visiting www.AccessAble.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

Email [email protected].

Find us on Social Media

Follow AccessAble on Twitter (opens in a new tab)Follow AccessAble on Facebook (opens in a new tab)Follow AccessAble on Instagram (opens in a new tab)Follow AccessAble on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)

The AccessAble Podcast is hosted by Carrie-Ann Lightley and produced and managed by Lucy Wood.