How to make your travel content more inclusive, conscious and accessible

In this post, you’ll get an introduction to making your travel blog and/or social media content more inclusive and accessible. This is perfect for anyone who is passionate about ensuring their work is open to a wider audience.

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This is the second post in my Diversity in Travel series, in which myself and other travel bloggers discuss and dissect how to make the travel community more accessible and inclusive, with the hope of amplifying diverse voices along the way.

The first section of this post will look at how to make content more ACCESSIBLE. It’s important that the content we create is not only suitable for able-bodied people, but also people with visible or invisible disabilities (and even neurodiverse folk like me)!

The second part of this post will look at how to make our content more inclusive. I am not entirely confident in the best word to use here… but I type this with the hope that – if you’re reading this – you also want to actively work towards an anti-racist travel community. And championing diversity means ensuring our CONTENT is inclusive to POC, alongside the LGBTQ+ community and disabled people too.

But it’s more than that – we also have to play our part to ensure that white, straight, able-bodied travel bloggers and content creators aren’t the ones getting a disproportionate amount of the opportunities. The third section of this post will consider how to ensure opportunities are open to all.

Of course, this post is just an introduction to what is a very important topic. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be posting further information on what it means to be an accessible and inclusive blogger and content creator, alongside some in-depth articles and interviews featuring some amazing bloggers… I’ve already been learning through the process of creating this Diversity in Travel series and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Thank you.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CONTENT MORE ACCESSIBLE

Making your blog or brand more accessible can start with very simple steps. For example, using non-animated text in a dyslexia-friendly font (such as the standard font or comic sans over a twisty, italic font) won’t take YOU any extra time, but it gives more people the opportunity to read and enjoy your content.

Over time, you can learn more and more details on how to be more accessible – there are so many fantastic resources available. The Accessibility Fundamentals Overview is a great place to learn – read for a full overview of how disabled people use the web and how to make your website more accessible. Full disclosure: I have NOT completed this page yet. But making my site more accessible is high on my list of priorities… yes, even above starting an email list!

Today, you can begin by reading the information given in this post! Of course, making travel content more accessible goes beyond formatting, and also comes from what is contained in the content itself. Below, disabled blogger Elvy also gives her fantastic advice on how to describe attractions and locations in the correct way for wheelchair users, or people with other disabilities, to have a better understanding of what to expect before their visit.

Captioning and audio-describing videos

by Iris from IrisForkRoad – Iris is a professional subtitler and audiodescriber

Content has shown a tendency to become more and more audiovisual lately. Starting with IGTV and Stories, then TikTok, and now Reels and Fleets, our day to day are inundated by video. This opens a world of possibilities for creators, but what does it mean for blind or deaf people? It means able-bodied creators need to step up. Making our videos accessible should become a part of our editing and curation. We only need to take two steps: close-captioning and audio-describing.

For closed-captioning there are tons of free apps out there. Some of them even have a built-in voice recognition engine that transcribes your text for you. You only need to make sure there are no errors and adjust the timecoding so that your subtitles are not going higher than 15 characters per second. Otherwise, the needed reading speed may be too fast to be comfortable for the reader. Also, make sure to add an opaque box behind the subtitles so there is enough contrast for them to be legible.

Audio description is technologically simpler: it’s just a voice-over to be added to the video where nobody is speaking and describe the images shown. You don’t need to describe everything, just whatever is relevant to understand or contextualize your content.

Inclusive Writing Habits

by Jumana from https://planethoppergirl.com/

As travel writers, we bring light into different parts of the world through sharing itineraries, experiences and multimedia content like photographs, videos and even podcasts as supporting content to our diverse audience both in our blogs and social media. Paying attention to inclusion in the content we produce can go a long way in making the content accessible to everyone- especially the diverse population amongst us who could have disabilities including impairments and learning disabilities. Some of the tips include:

• Make Text Accessible
  • Use simple and plain language and avoid using slogans, expressions etc unless they are appropriate and positive.
  • Pay attention to capitalized words as they are widely recognized to create difficulties amongst readers especially on screens
  • Using CamelCase for multiword hashtags, that is to use a capital letter for the first letter of each new word in the hashtag as in CamelCase. This makes it way easy to read and comprehend. 
  • Be careful about emoticons as for folks who are using VoiceOver audio for the content, you can imagine how nasty some emoticons could read and how it can destroy the flow
  • Avoid Special Characters as they also cause pain for assistive tools like VoiceOvers to read such special formatting
  • Not to mention, use inclusive language like “they” for generic statements than “he/she” or “folks” instead of “guys/gals”
    
• Make Images Accessible
  • Writing Alt Text for images is so important not just for SEO but for folks who are blind who rely on technology to explain what the image contains for visualization. The main challenge for web accessibility for the blind today is the ineffective alt Text. Apart from blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter etc provide columns for Alt Text. Convey the content by describing what it contains, colour, and if it is humorous try to share the humour. 
    
• Make Videos Accessible
  • Most of the platforms like Facebook, Youtube etc allow to generate auto-captions or else you could write them yourself and add them as a SubRip(.srt) file.

How to correctly advise when a location is ‘accessible’

by Elvy from www.elvysblog.com

As a wheelchair user and disabled traveller, the physical space and environment heavily influence where I travel to, and how I travel. There’s nothing like reading travel blogs by both disabled and non-disabled travellers to get you inspired. Being more conscious about diversity and accessibility in travelling is so important, although knowing that no two disabilities are the same means it can be tricky. For example, someone travelling in a powered wheelchair would experience different barriers compared to another person using a manual wheelchair, or who has a visual impairment. 

With this in mind, a general tip to other travel bloggers trying to be more inclusive is to bear in mind the diversity in physical disabilities. This means that just because a venue is step-free, doesn’t mean it’s “fully accessible”. For me personally, subtle comments and pictures of the physical environment or landscape give me a wealth of information about assessing what I would need.

These can be comments about seeing wheelchair signs on buses or trains, whether the paths have cobblestones, are difficult to walk on, are steep, have steps, ramps etc. It can also be comments like, you saw other disabled users with mobility aids or pictures of the entrances to restaurants or other venues. You would be amazed how quickly disabled travellers can spot a “tiny” step on a picture, compared to a non-disabled person. There is no need to be a disabled expert, but these little thoughtful additions can be a lot more informative and helpful than you think, and the more you do it, the more it becomes second nature.

Advocating for people with disabilities outdoors

by Karen from Outdoor Adventure Sampler

Outdoor adventure travel has a reputation for being for physically fit younger people. However, outdoor adventures can be open to all. That includes all body types and all abilities. People with disabilities enjoy being out in nature just like everyone else.

As a travel blogger, you can support people with disabilities in venturing outdoors by providing accessibility information in posts. Research what accommodations are available for each activity. For example, many state and national parks have constructed boardwalks and hiking trails built for wheelchair access. These trails are wider, smooth graded, with low inclines to accommodate various mobility needs. In winter, adapted equipment has made activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, and ice hockey accessible. In addition, the Access Pass provides free entrance to over 2000 United States national parks and wildlands.

Make a point to mention access accommodations in your posts. When you write about National Park entrance fees, include the Access Pass.  When visiting an attraction ask about accessibility and then include the information to your readers. By proactively pointing out areas in the outdoors that are barrier-free, you are encouraging people with all abilities to participate in outdoor adventure.

No type of travel is ‘BETTER’ than another

It’s not great to suggest one type of travel (or traveller) is ‘better’ than another. I see this suggestion more often on social media, for example Instagram captions, than blogs, so believe they’re just throwaway comments and are not intended to offend…

But imagine telling someone who does not have the same mind, body and privilege as you, that you’re a ‘better’ traveller because you choose DIY travel over tours, or budget camping over a hotel… Because everytime we perpetuate these ideas, we are telling people they are less worthy as a traveller.

What’s easy for you is not easy for someone else.

Consider which option is the most accessible before making blanket statements about what type of travel is better. And please don’t make other people feel like they’re not as ‘Adventurous’. It’s equally true that some areas and countries are simply not as inclusive as others.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CONTENT MORE INCLUSIVE

One of the first rules of writing is ‘ Write what you know.’ Nothing wrong with that right? In the social media age, people are crying out for authenticity. Viewers and readers want to know the real stories behind the shiny Instagram feeds.

But being authentic should NOT mean excluding people. Telling your story doesn’t mean ignoring your privilege and position within the wider context. And this is ESPECIALLY the case when you’re putting content out there to the public or monetising these views. If you want to make your content accessible to everyone, you have to write it FOR everyone too.

Don’t be afraid to write your opinions or detail your experience… honestly, people LOVE to see some personality behind travel blogs – if we can provide entertainment as well as factual value, I’m all for it. It simply means understanding that, well, the world doesn’t revolve around you.

Check your bias when writing travel content

by Marquita from MarquitasTravels.com 

As a travel blogger, most have had a negative experience or potentially disliked an aspect of a particular destination.  That’s natural as everyone has preferences.  Despite this being true, it is important that travel bloggers check potential bias before sharing experiences with an audience, especially before dissuading people from going to that specific location. 

It is necessary to think of the “why” behind the discontentment or negative experience. This is most relevant when creating content about safety, interacting with locals, and cultural experiences. Could it be that these feelings are based on personal thoughts or experiences? Would someone of different ethnicity, socioeconomic level, ability or gender potentially experience that situation in an alternative light? 

While it’s true that people experience life from a personal perspective, it’s important that travel content isn’t rooted in biases as it’s describing someone else’s home, country, or culture. As travel bloggers, respect should be given to the destinations one has the privileged opportunity of exploring.  Yes, share experiences from a personal perspective but do so from an unbiased lens. At the minimum, explain the “why”.

Consider Non-White and LGBTQ Travellers Before Calling a Destination “Safe”

by Em from thattravelista

Most travel bloggers acknowledge the difference in safety concerns while travelling as a man versus as a woman. But what about the difference in concerns between a white traveller and a traveller of color? Or between a straight, cisgendered traveller and an LGBTQ traveller?

It is no secret that travel blogging is a white-dominated space. It is also a heavily straight and cisgendered space. So when the average travel blogger who is white, straight, and cisgendered reports back that a destination is totally safe, everyone was friendly, and future visitors should have zero worries, can non-white and LGBTQ readers take this earnestly?

The unfortunate reality is travelling as someone who is not white, straight, and cisgendered carries additional safety concerns. Is this country used to seeing black or Asian people? Does this country struggle with police brutality, racial profiling, or racial harrasment? Is being LGBTQ in this country punishable by law?

If a travel blogger shares that a destination is safe without mentioning anything pertaining to non-white, non-straight, and non-cisgendered readers, then that travel blogger is essentially not speaking to (i.e. excluding) anyone who is not white, straight, and cisgendered.

But there is a solution.

Travel bloggers can do research before blanketly speaking on safety. This could look like including excerpts from other travellers who have been to that destination, linking out to other travel bloggers’ posts on that destination, or doing research and saying “this was my experience, but I know this country has these issues, so keep that in mind.

Cultural stereotyping, appreciation, and appropriation

Did you ever describe a country as ‘eating weird food’ before researching the origins of the dish in question… or considering that in every country people have different likes and dislikes? Have you ever seen an influencer reduce an entire continent to a single stereotype, for example by lamenting everyone is ‘small’ when they couldn’t find a dress that fits? Shockingly, the latter is probably more a case of thin privilege and fat phobia than anything else, but it’s definitely a stereotype rather than a fact.

Be cautious when complaining about things on your travels, it’s never okay to reduce an entire population to stereotypes.

On the other hand… praising countries, and partaking in their culture, might seem like appreciation at first, but it can easily veer into ‘cultural appropriation’. Calling Japanese people ‘cute’ and Asia as a ‘great place for a spiritual holiday’ are examples of cultural appreciation which is already stereotyping. But it goes a step further when you actively partake in parts of their culture that is NOT your own. At times, people take part in spiritual practises which they don’t fully understand or don’t even align with their own beliefs. You can visit a Buddhist temple to observe respectfully, without taking part in rituals that you don’t fully understand.

If you want to learn more, consider paying a local guide, rather than ‘copying’ other tourists or locals. You can learn more about about a culture while simultaneously supporting the community, and there are often a wealth of classes and tours available. Ensure the company is run by genuine locals who are active members of the religion, culture or heritage you wish to learn about.

A more well-known form of cultural appropriation is adopting the dress (or elements of the style) from another culture or identity. There is an entire history of examples to give here, whereby usually the dominant culture appropriates from a marginalised or minority culture. If you want to dress in traditional clothing, you may want to consider your own role in the history of that country…

See also: this great post on WHY “THIRD WORLD” IS OUTDATED AND WHAT YOU SHOULD SAY INSTEAD. A solid example of why understanding the HISTORY AND CONTEXT of the words we use as travel writers or content creators makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE.

If you educate yourself on the history of the countries you visit, and the history of your own country – particularly when you have been historically on the side of the colonialist or oppressor – you might make different choices when interacting with (and writing about) different cultures today.

There is a huge problem of whitewashing within travel media. When travelling, we are tourists within another country; terms like ‘global citizens ‘ only get to be enjoyed by the privileged. And remember, other cultures do not exist as a platform for white stories. When writing about a spiritual belief and culture that is not your own, don’t write it from the perspective of ‘white growth’. Try not to restrict your travel writing to the white (or European/American, depending on where you’re from) experience.

Finally, if you are a traveller who benefits from white privilege or historically has the privilge of the dominant culture, try to avoid implying ‘people who travel are better people’… historically speaking, this is a complex issue rooted in cultural domination, assimilation, or outright destruction. People who travel have oftentimes been the root of those problems. And yes, those privileged enough to travel thought they were the ‘enlightened’ and ‘educated’ ones back then too.

Not to mention the fact that it’s a bit of a kick in the face to people who are unable to travel. There are many intelligent, humble, compassionate, worldly-minded, and world-changing people who have never set foot outside of their own town. You could even argue that feeling the need to ‘see the world’ in order to broaden our minds is as much a weakness as it is a strength. Be humble.

Travelling responsibly, and promoting travel that benefits the local community and indigenous communities, is another factor in creating kinder content. Though that’s a topic for another day!

Ensure you follow a diverse range of creators – even outside of the travel space

It’s important to follow a large range of different creators – and not just in the travel community. Whether reading or YouTube is your favourite way to learn (or even TikTok), take a look at the writers or creators you follow. Do all your favourite creators look and talk like you?

Even when we’re not creating content, we should be surrounding ourselves with a variety of views and voices… unfortunately, that doesn’t come naturally for everyone. But if you’re not already following trans and lesbian creators, POC and disabled and neurodiverse (for example Autistic) writers, then you’re going to have a very narrow-minded perspective of the world.

Next time you’re on Netflix, why not check who the series creators, directors and writers were of the last ten shows you watched. If they’re all white able-bodied cis men (or white women, for that matter), it might be time to consider that… I mean jeez, it’s 2021! We have access to SO MANY creators from all around the world. Why would you NOT want to branch out?!

Even if this was accidental, it might be worth checking your biases if you realise that most of the YouTubers, TikTokers, writers or bloggers you follow are people who look and sound like you. This will eventually shift your mindset to being more automatically inclusive.

Annnd yes, do show this kind of love to the travel community too. More on that below.

HOW TO CHAMPION (AND ACTIVELY WORK TOWARDS) DIVERSITY IN THE TRAVEL COMMUNITY

Ensure diversity in the opportunities to accept and events you attend

by Rose from WhereGoesRose.com

Have you ever seen content from a blogger press trip and noticed that the bloggers selected for the event look suspiciously similar? Maybe you’ve even attended such an event as a blogger and noted the lack of diversity while there. As a relatively ‘new’ profession, blogging is somewhat unmoderated when it comes to representation and ethics.

As a cisgender, able-bodied White female, I fall into the category of bloggers that have been historically (granted it’s a short history!) prioritised for opportunities. This tip for ethical travel blogging is to use your voice when it comes to demanding representation within the industry, and use your participation as a vote. In other words, don’t work with companies who don’t promote diversity or invite a diverse range of bloggers to take part in their campaigns. (And not just during ‘Black History Month’, but every month of the year…)

Rather than wait until arriving in a destination on a comped trip or producing sponsored content, you can be active when it comes to researching who else will be attending or participating. If you can’t see any diversity in the other bloggers invited, you can cancel or withdraw your interest in participating – and be sure to let the company know why.

The same applies to attending blogging events. If a diverse range of speakers haven’t been invited, query this with the company and consider not purchasing a ticket if they can’t provide an adequate explanation. 

Use the power of your purchase and participation wisely – and always question things!

Promoting Black-owned buisnesses

This has partially been covered in this post already, but when reaching out to work with brands, consider working with local brands and Black-owned buisnesses, rather than just large corportations. I’ve noticed that even a lot of smaller fashion brands are owned by white women who were born into a position of privilege… And empowering women-owned buisnesses is great, ecspecially if they’re promoting using sustainable materials and ethical practises. But let’s make sure ALL women have the opportunity to excel in the creative fields, yeah?

Be understanding towards other bloggers you’re working with… not all of our differences are obvious

Consider making accommodations to ensure everyone gets to take part in blogging opportunities. This could mean flexible deadlines for bloggers with Autism and/or ADHD, or reducing the guest post word count for creators with dyslexia or who do not speak English a first language. You could even consider a ‘photo story’ for a creator who isn’t comfortable with long-form content but is well-deserving of a backlink.

And on that note… let’s NOT look down on people for having a few typos in their work. If my Grammar plugin doesn’t pick it up, then I probably won’t either. Enjoy your executive function and don’t look down on those who aren’t born with it. (I literally have ‘executive dysfunction’ haha.)

If you’re involved in arranging travel meet-ups, or a local press trip, is there any chance you can make it so it’s accessible for local bloggers with disabilities? Of course – this should always come out of conversations! Don’t go all Saviour Mode and make changes without checking what people actually want.

Skill swaps are a great way to help each other out too! I used to proofread the web content for my talented photographer friend who happens to be dyslexic, and later he took some promotional photos for a project I was involved in.

There are lots of creative and thoughtful ways to ensure everyone is getting an opportunity for their career to progress! Be understanding and open to working in new and different ways so we can include everyone in this exciting community.

Don’t know where to start? Ask. Start the conversation. What’s the worst that can happen?

Holding ourselves accountable when we work with brands who turn out to be problematic

by Claudia from perfectlyclaudia.com

Lots of us love to work with brands, travel businesses, tourism boards, and more… but what happens
when the brand/business turns out to be somewhat problematic? This could be that their ethics
seem a little off, or that they become a little prejudice, unfriendly, or worse. Perhaps you’re
collaborating with a hotel and you notice how the staff are treating a customer of a certain ethnicity.

At some point, a few of us will experience an ‘uh oh’ moment like this. How you deal with it can
really be important as an influencer/blogger/creative. I would first start by reaching out to your
contact and carefully explain what’s making you feel uncomfortable, test the water and see how
they respond.

If it turns out to be quite a serious issue, and you’ve already signed up to collaborate with them,
you may now feel like you want out of the current project. This is absolutely ok. Don’t go against
your ethics just for collaboration; you never have to go ahead with anything that makes you feel
uncomfortable. If this is the case, I would politely but clearly outline the issue, advising that you
cannot work with them due to the conflict of interests/problem arising. Express that you’d like to
terminate any work with them, and ask how they’d like to proceed.

If you’ve already announced the collaboration to your audience, you may even feel it necessary to
explain the issue to them over social media/a blog post. This is also absolutely ok. Your audience
listens to you after all – but remember to be gracious about it, don’t make yourself look bad.

Start conversations other people are afraid to start (and don’t leave it to marginalised people call out exclusion)

If you’re a small blogger, it’s also OK to gently point out travel blogger lists that exclude POC and LGBTQ+, disabled or neurodiverse people. The chances are a lot of people will agree with you but are too afraid to call it out for fear of being ostracised. You don’t have to be rude or aggressive! You can be constructively kind and say something like: ‘Great work although it would have been even better if the people working on this project had better reflected the travel community as a whole!’ You can even shout out fantastic bloggers who you know are based in the same location. Maybe you’ll even get people to meet up and help them start a new working relationship (or friendship)!

Start the conversations other people are afraid to start! I know it can be scary… as a neurodivergent mental health travel blogger (hahaa that’s a mouthful), I often gently point out the facts behind harmful wellbeing advice I see on the internet. I’ll start by finding something I liked about the post, and then follow it up with a constructive comment. For example: ‘Do you remember where you read this information? I’ve read the summaries of quite a lot of scientific research based on mental health, and you’re advice is going against professional advice. Let me know if you want more info – it might be that what you read is outdated now. :)’

If people feel you’re being CONSTRUCTIVE and genuinely want to help, they’ll be more likely to listen. Unfortunately, people do tend to get defensive when they receive unexpected criticism. It’s generally better to start conversations than to get your comment deleted. (Which is not to say you need to hold back your anger if you see someone being openly or passively racist, homophobic or ableist… that kinda thing needs to be called out stat. Worrying about being polite or courteous doesn’t always have a place in these conversations!)

How inclusive are your engagement groups? Is your social media strategy ethical?

Some bloggers and social media content creators use engagement groups or other tactics to grow their accounts and ‘beat the algorithm.’ In addition, some accounts will take payment from influencers to give them exposure, without being transparent that a payment was made.

While some of these groups may be well-meaning, with a comradeship over the belief of ‘community over competition’, they can make it harder for other accounts to grow and thrive. When we support others over ‘quantity over quality’, it can make it harder for those with other commitments or lower incomes to have the same opportunties.

Try to stick to engagement opportunities that are open to everyone or are actively making an effort to share marginalised voices. The same goes for share accounts and groups which require exclusive invites.

Similarly, champion accounts due to the quality of their work, and not just a high following. Again, Western standards of beauty, the ability to afford a ‘rich person’s’ wardrobe, and a higher income due to socio-economic privilege.

Here, Dorothée from IGramEthical gives her opinion on the matter:

Be social on social media. I believe in diversity and togetherness and don’t measure a person’s worth by their follower count. I make sure that everyone willing can join. Be inclusive. Social media changed people’s views. Buying followers, creating follow loops, and commenting pods divides communities. Users who engage in these strategies can end up accepting awards, creating brand campaigns, and sitting on expert panels, even if they are not the most qualified or capable. True. Remember, in some cases they succeeded by fraud. The algorithm favours active accounts, and that includes a coordinated inauthentic activity. Lying becomes normative. Cheating gets rewarded. People who do not manipulate the system get downranked… If you DO use these strategies (or have in the past), it’s time to step back and make a positive change.

The work of all the ones who act fair becomes invisible. Even if their message is creative, clever, and gorgeous… so what? Eventually, these individuals become invisible. Once invisible on social media they lose access to possibilities in real-life. Producing and consuming quality information gets harder. There is the pressure to play games out of fear to lose assignments. Say no to these games. Stand by people who get ignored. And, again, this unfairly affects people who don’t have access to multiple hours off work to spend on engagement groups or to fund expensive costumes for photoshoots, even if the quality of their photography, writing, or authentic voice is powerful.

Actions taken on social media affect those around you. Do not discriminate. We can and should do more to fight fraud. Do not let others feel alone. Do not support those who want to destroy other people’s dreams and livelihoods. People will get mad with you for how they treated the system, and they will blame you for refusing to join. Enable participation. Listen to all stories. Be curious. Just being you is enough.

Actively amplify the voices and careers of a diverse range of bloggers

Whether it’s actively making the effort to follow a range of travel bloggers, or ensuring that the events you attend are inclusive (like Rose wrote above), this is a really important part of being an ally.

Next time you shout out bloggers on your account, make sure you’re sharing a diverse range of people. This also goes for who’s photos you are liking and commenting on, and who’s blogs you are reading, on a daily basis. And if you read an interesting or valuable perspective in someone’s blog post or caption, consider sharing it with your followers.

If you’re working with a brand who you know is reaching out to other influencers, recommend and amplify marginalized voices next time you’re in conversation. And if YOU have the opportunity to work with other bloggers, check who you’re reaching out to… make sure you’re working with bloggers with unique backgrounds and perspectives. I’ve seen so many ‘travel blogger trips/group stays’ in which every visitor was a white, able-bodied person or heterosexual couple. Be the change you want to see in the world and reflect those changes in your own work, every day.

A fantastic group of bloggers helped me celebrate diversity in the travel community by recommending Inspiring Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2021. If you’re looking for some FANTASTIC creators to follow, this is a great place to start.