Ben Fogle, The Adventurer: Our inspiring disabled travellers These are humbling, inspiring tales. Even more so when you see events up close. During a trans-Atlantic rowing race I competed in with James Cracknell, we only narrowly beat two French participants, who happened to be amputees. One of their biggest struggles was not the rowing, but their inability to stabilise themselves in the cabin. And earlier this year I was privileged enough to join Claire Lomas for part of her epic 17-day London Marathon. Claire lost the use of her legs after a horse riding accident five years ago. She now uses a pioneering suit that straps to her legs and torso, giving her mobility through motion sensors. Karen Darke (right), one of the most under-rated adventurers in Britain I would also like to mention Karen Darke, one of the most underrated adventurers in Britain. She competed in the London Paralympics, winning a silver medal in the women's H1-3 cycling time trial, but for me her adventuring pedigree is even more impressive. Despite being paralysed from the chest down, Karen has crossed Greenland, climbed Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and El Capitan, and hand cycled across Japan. The South Pole is next on her list. Travel restrictions For all the obstacles that adventurers with a disability overcome, many remain. My fellow RNLI ambassador, Geoff Holt, was the first paraplegic sailor to sail around Britain and cross the Atlantic. He is currently looking for sponsorship for his next inspiring adventure - this time, to circumnavigate the world. However, he still dreads travelling on trains and planes, a view echoed later by Lara Masters, the author of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain. When I spoke to Geoff recently, he described how on a flight from Norway he was asked to check his wheelchair into the hold. When he refused, he was asked if he couldn't walk "just a little." Earlier this year, too, he was prevented from boarding a train on the Isle of Wight, as the guard claimed his electric wheelchair would damage the floor. Extraordinary given that, as he wrote at the time, this is "2012, not 1912." More attractions, thankfully, recognise the importance of accessibility these days, as I know through my work with the Rough Guide book, Accessible Britain, which I helped launch with Lara. It gives ideas on everything from the most wheelchair-friendly National Parks and how to scale Ben Nevis to the most accommodating places for the millions of disabled people in Britain. Wider access for all Many other organisations are also working to increase opportunities for travellers with a disability, and I have included details of a few of my own favourites (see panel), as well as some suggestions from Lara. This has long been a subject close to my heart, from the time I carried out my weekly community service as a schoolboy for Riding for the Disabled Association. Another great organisation is the Jubilee Sailing Trust. I have been lucky enough to sail aboard their ships the Lord Nelson and the Tenacious several times over the years. These two tall ships are the only ones in the world built and designed to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side as equals. It offers everyone the thrill of adventure at sea, and it really is a magnificent sight to see a wheelchair hoisted to the crow's nest at the top of the mast. Action for access Leonard Cheshire Disability's detailed surveys about accessibility at attractions, such as museums, pubs and parks (actionforaccess.org). Accessible Britain British attractions vetted by disabled people, a tie-in with the Rough Guide book (accessibleguide.co.uk). Calvert Trust The trust arranges adventure trips to Exmoor, Kielder, the Lake District and the Chilterns for disabled people and their families (01598 763221; calvert-trust.org.uk). Accessible countryside Directory of rural attractions around the UK (accessiblecountryside.org.uk). Amar Latif The star of the BBC Two series Beyond Boundaries arranges tours for blind people (amarlatif.com). Crystal Ski Adaptive Packages for the disabled and their families to US and European resorts that offer specialist facilities and tuition (0871 231 2256; crystalski.co.uk/disabled-skiing). Disabled Travel Advice Adventure holiday ideas, from dog sledding in Norway to safaris in Africa (disabledtraveladvice.co.uk). Government advice A guide to help businesses attract disabled customers, from (odi.dwp.gov.uk/involving-disabled-people/business.php). Jubilee Sailing Trust Adventurous sailing holidays, both for able-bodied and disabled sailors (023 8044 9108; jst.org.uk). Mark Pollock Inspiring blind and paralysed adventurers (markpollock.com, and see runinthedark.org for details of the fund-raising "Run in the Dark" in his name). Parking for blue badges Information on disabled parking in Britain (parkingforbluebadges.com). Riding for the Disabled A British charity that uses horses and riding to provide therapy to people with disabilities (0845 658 1082; rda.org.uk). Wheelchairs (off-road) Recommended makes include trekinetic.com and mountaintrike.co.uk.