Martyn Sibley
Disability Horizons
Martyn is a travel writer, blogger and founder of the lifestyle magazine Disability Horizons. He writes about independent living, accessible travel and assistive technology. Martyn began his career in product development at Scope, and now advises disability charities as a consultant. He is also an international keynote speaker.
With co-founder Srin Madipalli, Martyn set up the start-up accessible travel business Accomable. Both founders have Spinal Muscular Atrophy and use wheelchairs to get about. Accomable was billed as ‘Airbnb for people with disabilities’ and clearly listed (and verified) the accessible features of accommodation around the world. In 2017, the company was bought by Airbnb in a deal which made national headlines.
In 2011 Martyn and Srin also set up Disability Horizons, an online magazine by and for disabled people which discusses technology, relationships, sports, employment and travel. Martyn is keen to enable new talent, saying: “One of the most important things for inclusion is an optimistic and capable next generation. How better to nurture the next change makers than by showcasing disabled role models.”
Martyn is a keen adventurer and has written about travel to Australia, Japan, Mexico and Europe; taking a road trip around the US; skiing, hot air ballooning, flying a plane, scuba diving and even taking on the 874-mile route from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Martyn has a strong media presence appearing on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, and writing for The Independent, Huffington Post, BBC Ouch, Disability Now and The Guardian. He has produced materials for Visit England and Lonely Planet and dipped his toes in working as a TV presenter. His travel memoir Everything is Possible was published in 2016 and documents his metaphorical and literal journeys as a disabled traveller.
Martyn is also a coach for social change professionals and works as a consultant for governments, businesses and the media.