Podcast 30 – Why Accessible Design Doesn’t Have to Be Boring, Grey and Grumpy

Hello and welcome to episode 30 of the Blindly Wheeling podcast.

Now, I don’t know who first decided that “accessible design” meant painting everything hospital beige, sticking up a few plastic grab rails, and hoping nobody complained … but whoever they were, I’d quite like a word.

Because here’s the truth: accessibility doesn’t have to be bland, grey, or grumpy. Done well, it can be stylish, joyful, and even Instagram-worthy. And the best bit? It’s better for everyone, not just disabled people.

So let’s roll into this properly; powerchairs and all.

Podcast episode number twenty nine: “Know Before You Go”

Hello and welcome to episode 29 of the Blindly Wheeling podcast.

Today we’re talking about something simple, practical, and often overlooked. The idea of knowing before you go.

Now, if you’ve ever planned a trip to somewhere new, you’ll know that flutter of excitement mixed with just a pinch of uncertainty. Where shall we park? Will the café still be serving cake by the time we arrive? Soup or sandwich?

But for many disabled people, the questions run deeper. It’s not just about opening hours or menus. It’s about essentials like:

• Can I park close by?

• Is there step-free access from the pavement?

• And that famous one: will the “accessible” toilet actually be accessible?

These aren’t unusual questions. They’re everyday, practical details that make the difference between a great day out … and a wasted journey.

Listen to find out more.

Episode 28 - A Wee Dram, A Big Welcome

Today we’re diving into something a little unexpected, but I promise it’s close to all our hearts. Or should I say … close to our bladders? Yes, today’s theme is about how doing the unexpected as we talk toilets and tours and how they can transform a visitor experience into something truly welcoming.

Let me paint you a picture.

You’re nestled in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Heather on the hills, the crisp scent of malted barley in the air. You’ve made the journey, maybe from Glasgow, maybe from overseas, to a place where history seeps from the stonework and the welcome is as warm as a Highland hug. Listen in to find out more.

Episode 27: Rolling Through Time

Welcome to Blindly Wheeling, the podcast where a set of wheels can take you just about anywhere and even back in time.

Today we’re off on a whirlwind tour of ten of the UK’s most accessible historic spots. Think castles with stories in every stone, countryside walks with views to spare, Roman baths that are still making a splash, Belfast streets buzzing with history, plus museums, trams, crown jewels and even a few Vikings thrown in for good measure.

So buckle up, or should I say, roll on, it’s going to be quite the journey through time.

Episode 26: Streets Connect My World

Welcome to Blindly Wheeling, the podcast where lived experience meets everyday journeys. In this episode, we’re heading out onto the streets. Those very paths that connect disabled people to work, to shops, to friends, and to the wider community.

Streets aren’t just tarmac and kerbs. They’re lifelines. They can be welcoming, safe, and full of possibility. Or they can be barriers that cut us off.

Join me as I share stories of the pavements and crossings that have shaped my adventures, the frustrations that trip us up, and the small changes that can transform a street into a gateway to the world.

I never really set out to write a book. At least, not in the traditional sense. There was no moment of thunderbolt inspiration, no quiet study piled high with manuscripts, and certainly no grand plan to see my name sitting proudly on an Amazon listing.

What I did have was years of lived experience and stories gathered from rolling into distilleries, exploring historic castles, navigating visitor centres, theatres, ferries, cafés, and every place in between. I had moments of delight when things worked well, and the occasional moment of sheer frustration when a simple step or missing bit of information turned an anticipated day out into something quite different. In this episode I want to share my thoughts about writing a book.

In this special episode, I’m sharing an audio version of my book "Access All Areas: Inclusive Tourism in Practice".

For a brief period I have decided to make an audio version of my new accessibility and inclusion book - "Access all areas: Inclusive tourism in practice" freely available via a podcast.

My recording attempt, no frills and recorded using AAC with my captured voice - just speaking, is around two hours in length and takes you through all 23 book chapters with everything from first impressions and accessible toilets, to digital access, events, and the business case for inclusion. Along the way, you’ll hear stories from my own lived experience, practical tips you can use straight away, and examples of what “good” really looks like in practice.

Whether you’re running a Brand Home, visitor attraction, hosting events, or shaping hospitality spaces, this audiobook is designed to help you see accessibility not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to welcome more people and create memorable experiences.

The Book explores:

1. The day the ramp vanished 2. The coffee shop conundrum 3. Old places and historic spaces 4. Magical museums and galleries 5. Exploring along the garden path 6. Somewhere to stay, not just sleep 7. Home for the holidays with self catering 8. Pitched under canvas or chilling in a pod 9. Festivals, pop up events, and outdoor fun 10. Level playing fields and sidelines that work 11. Getting there and getting aboard 12. The joy of the browse and shopping 13. Don’t forget the toilet test 14. We nearly didn’t visit 15. The price of exclusion 16. The human touch 17. Designing for dignity 18. Marketing that includes 19. Opening your digital doors 20. After the visit and saying “goodbye” 21. Recruiting inclusion within your team 22. Top tips for your welcome 23. Reflection and Learning

I hope it inspires you, makes you think, and gives you tools to take action.

For more information, resources, where to buy a print or eBook copy, or to get in touch, visit www.blindlywheeling.co.uk

Thanks for listening, Paul

Welcome to Blindly Wheeling and Access All Areas: Inclusive Tourism in Practice, the podcast where we swap polished brochures for real-life stories, useful tips, and maybe a few laughs along the way. I’m Paul Ralph, founder of Blindly Wheeling, a wheelchair-using traveller with a love of good cake and even better access.

Today we’re looking back, not just at the stories, but at the thread that runs through all of them.