10 Disability YouTubers You Should Be Watching

It’s time to recommend some YouTubers!

In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s nothing we love more than recommending YouTubers for you all to watch. Through our Spotlight series, as well as our Pulse and Columns articles, we’re constantly on the lookout for creators to feature, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. (You’re welcome in advance.)

Back in December 2018, Hannah Witton uploaded a video where she shared her favourite disability YouTubers, in recognition of World Disability Day. She recommended numerous creators and we’re about to do the same. Prepare for your sub boxes to be filled with hours of great content – here are 10 disability YouTubers you should be watching!

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard‘s channel features discussions about disability, while also showing off a vintage style that has us yearning to jump back in time! She has Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP) and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), which, among other things, resulted in her becoming deaf in her teen years. However, she’s not let that stop her from living her life, as shown through the various videos on her YouTube channel.

What we love most about Jessica’s channel is how honest and open she is, as she doesn’t shy away from discussing topics others might avoid. Her videos consist of discussions about her disabilities, as well as vlogs about her style (she recently launched her very own merch line) and life, and travel vlogs featuring her lovely wife. Speaking of her wife, can we talk about how ADORABLE these two are together?! They are such couples goals!

Oliver Lam-Watson

We know some of you reading TenEighty might not be too involved in sports or exercise – it’s just so much effort when the couch is so appealing – but we know you’ll have a change of heart after checking out Oliver Lam-Watson‘s channel. Not only is Oliver a member of the British Wheelchair Fencing Team, he’s also hoping to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games!

Oliver was born with a vascular disorder that affects his left leg, meaning he has to walk with crutches, but he hasn’t let that hold him back from pursuing his dreams. His videos work to inspire viewers to persevere, go after their dreams and get excited for the future. We love the enthusiasm he brings to the platform, and you can bet we’ll be cheering him on at all the fencing events he attends!

Lucy Edwards

Lucy Edwards is a blind YouTuber who shares her love for makeup and beauty with viewers on a regular basis. Along with videos about her condition, she uploads a variety of beauty tutorials (her Halloween witch tutorial was EVERYTHING), shares numerous Favourites videos and does hilarious challenges with her fiancé. We love the positive attitude she brings to YouTube, and we wish everyone was as positive and encouraging as she is.

Also, can we talk about how cute her guide dog is? We always get excited when Lucy features Olga in a video – she’s just so cute!

Connor Ward

Connor Ward is an autistic YouTuber whose channel helps to raise awareness about autism. There are many videos on his channel informing viewers on how they and society can become more autism-friendly, and he also allows a look into how he lives with his diagnosis. He’s also started delving into the entertainment world, sharing his opinions on everything from plays to TV shows, and we, for one, are living for this content!

Recently, Connor released a series discussing the creator/viewer divide, which explored how the ever-changing landscape of social media has played into how we interact with others. It features five episodes covering a different sub-section of this subject and features some well-known names within the YouTube community, including Peter Kingston, Chloe Dungate, Louis Cole and many more!

Katy Gough

Those looking for information about autism and how to cope if they’ve been diagnosed with it need look no further than Katy Gough‘s channel. Katy has Asperger’s Syndrome and fibromyalgia, and through her videos works to raise awareness about both diagnoses and helps viewers through a whole host of video topics, including tips on how to ground oneself, a look at object attachment and many more. One of our favourite series on Katy’s channel is her Friday Q&A videos, where she answers viewer questions about autism. It’s a great wealth of knowledge.

Katy doesn’t just limit herself to YouTube. One of the coolest things she’s done is launch an autism awareness clothing line. Whether you’re looking for a new t-shirt or a coffee mug, there’s a wide range of products available!

Espen Johnson

In need of a comedy channel that’ll leave you laughing until you’re red in the face? Let us suggest Epsen Johnson, who we think has a sense of humour that rivals that of even the most famous comedians. (Seriously, if he ever decides to not pursue filmmaking, we highly suggest a career in comedy.)

Epsen’s channel features discussions about his disability, as well as things happening in the world and on YouTube. He gives us the vibe of old YouTube, when creators would have a heart-to-heart with the camera and edit in funny sketches here and there to further prove their point. His channel leaves us feeling pretty nostalgic. One of our all-time favourite videos of his is his one on networking. Yes, we know it’s important, but why does it have to be so awkward and tedious?!

Ellie Darby-Prangnell

Ellie Darby-Prangnell has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which she details in length in a video uploaded to her channel in August 2018. In it, she shares with viewers the journey from her diagnosis to now, and details how it was growing up.

What we love most about Ellie’s channel is her positive attitude, which radiates throughout her videos. We also love the diversity of videos. Whether you’re in need of some weekly vlogs, clothing hauls and look books, or would like to learn more about what it’s like living with SMA, Ellie has filmed it all. Hers is definitely a channel we recommend you check out.

Daniel M. Jones

One YouTuber we feel is going out of their way to raise awareness about both mental health and autism is Daniel M. Jones, better known as The Aspie World. Daniel has Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia and OCD and has dedicated his YouTube channel to helping break the stigma around them and autism. He also uses it to teach his viewers how to better support and help those in their lives who have autism. We don’t think we’ve seen so many resources on one channel and we can’t help but applaud Daniel for what he’s doing.

Some videos we think are a definite must watch are AUTISM IN GIRLS: 5 Social Anxiety Traits (YOU need to know), ASPERGERS how YOU spot it (5 SIGNS) and AUTISM Diagnosis Process (7 Things YOU need to do).

Nicole Biddulph

Are you looking to better your school studies? Do you have an interest in fashion and beauty? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then we highly suggest you check out Nicole Biddulph‘s channel. Nicole’s videos span a range of genres, showing her capability to appeal to a wide range of viewers. We love the clothes she recommends to us in her haul videos, and her school-related videos are definitely going to ensure everyone aces their exams. As for her beauty tips, we have her to thank for always looking as gorgeous as we do.

Nicole uploaded a video in late 2017, sharing her history of cancer and spinal cord injury, which resulted in her having to undergo physiotherapy and use a wheelchair as a result of paralysis. We really appreciate this video, for it’s not only working to break the stigma around spinal cord injuries, but it shows her dedication to raising awareness, which we think is pretty cool.

Shelbykins xo

If you’re a fan of weekly vlogs, haul videos and all things beauty, then we highly suggest giving Shelby Lynch‘s channel a watch! She pretty much has everything cornered on her channel, meaning you’ll be treated to tons of variety. We love getting a glimpse of her life through her weekly vlogs – we are totes jealous of the time she went to see Demi Lovato in concert – and we really appreciate it when she tests out makeup products. It’s good to know what we’re getting before we go out and spend our money.

Also, can we talk about how much hair envy we feel while watching her videos? Whether she’s rocking a sleek silver or adding some colour with pink and red, we also feel the itch to dye our hair whenever we see her videos pop up in our sub boxes!

So there you have it…

10 disability YouTubers we feel you should be watching. While we’ve only featured 10 on our list, there are many more out there who are making equally stellar content. Have any creators you’d like to recommend to us? Be sure to send us a tweet and let us know! We’re always looking to enrich our sub boxes and discover new and upcoming talent.

Also, we’d like to throw out a special mention to our very own Features writer, Liam O’Dell. Whether you’re interested in learning about deafness, have an interest in tech and film, or wish to explore some of the UK’s best-known cities, his channel has it all. (And we think it’s pretty swell.)

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