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Thursday, February 26, 2026

Building a Blog While Disabled: Blogger vs WordPress, Accessibility Tips, and Real Ways to Make Money (Even With Limited Energy)

Living with a disability—physical, mental, or both—can change the way you move through the world. It can also change the way you work, create, and earn. The truth is: traditional jobs aren’t always flexible, accessible, or realistic when your body or brain has unpredictable limits. That’s exactly why blogging (and building an online brand) can be such a powerful option.

A blog can be built around your strengths, your schedule, your lived experience, and your interests. You can write when you’re able, rest when you need to, and still grow something meaningful over time. You can advocate, teach, entertain, review, share resources, and build community—while also creating income streams that don’t require you to “push through” every day.

In this post, I’m going to break down:

  • How to build a blog as a disabled creator (without burning out)

  • Blogger vs WordPress (which one is better for accessibility and simplicity)

  • Realistic monetization methods that work even with low energy and fluctuating capacity

  • Accessibility best practices that make your content usable for more people

  • How your blog can connect to other projects and services

And I’ll showcase three of your sites as examples of how a multi-topic online ecosystem can work:


Why Blogging Can Be a Smart Path When You’re Disabled

A lot of “make money online” advice assumes people have endless energy, perfect focus, and consistent health. Disability can mean you don’t have those things—and that’s not a failure. It’s just reality.

Blogging works well with disability because it can be:

  • Asynchronous (you don’t have to perform on demand like a shift job)

  • Flexible (you can plan around pain, fatigue, appointments, flare-ups)

  • Scalable (a post written once can earn money for years)

  • Accessible (you can write, dictate, edit, schedule, and automate)

  • Community-based (you can find people who actually get it)

A blog can also be a way to take back power. When you’re disabled, people often speak over you or assume your experience. Blogging lets you tell your story on your own terms—while building skills that transfer into other paid work like writing, SEO, virtual assistance, design, and digital products.


Blogger vs WordPress: Which Platform Is Better for Disabled Creators?

There’s no “one perfect” platform, but there is a platform that fits your needs right now. The best option depends on budget, energy, comfort level with tech, and the kind of control you want.

Blogger (Pros + Cons)

Blogger is simple, free, and reliable. It’s often underrated, but it can be a strong choice if you want to focus on writing and publishing without managing a lot of tech.

Pros

  • Free hosting (huge if money is tight)

  • Easy to publish and schedule posts

  • Low maintenance (no plugin updates, fewer things to break)

  • Connects well with Google tools (Search Console, Analytics, AdSense)

Cons

  • Less flexible than WordPress for design and advanced features

  • Templates can require tweaking for accessibility

  • Fewer modern tools built-in compared to WordPress

Best for: creators who want something stable, simple, and low-energy to maintain.

Your advocacy work on disABLEd guy (https://www.disabledguy.ca) is the perfect example of a blog where consistency, readability, and accessibility matter more than flashy features.


WordPress (Pros + Cons)

WordPress comes in two main forms:

  • WordPress.com (hosted, simpler, less control unless you pay)

  • WordPress.org (self-hosted, more control, more maintenance)

Pros

  • More customization and growth options

  • Thousands of themes and plugins

  • Better support for memberships, shops, courses, and advanced SEO

  • Easier to build “business-style” pages (services, landing pages)

Cons

  • Can be overwhelming (plugins, updates, performance issues)

  • Self-hosted costs money (hosting + domain)

  • More moving parts = more energy to maintain

Best for: creators who want maximum control, plan to expand, or want built-in business features.

A service-based site like Mason Virtual Solutions (https://masonvirtualsolutions.ca) often benefits from WordPress features—especially if you want booking, forms, packages, and client onboarding workflows.


The Disability-Friendly Blogging Setup: Make It Easier on Your Body and Brain

If your energy is limited, your setup should protect it. You do not need to blog like everyone else. You need a system that works with your capacity.

1) Build a “Low-Spoons” Content Workflow

Instead of “write a full post in one sitting,” break it into parts:

  • Brainstorm title + bullet points (10 minutes)

  • Write intro (10 minutes)

  • Write one section (10–20 minutes)

  • Rest

  • Add headings + links later

  • Edit later

  • Schedule post

This is especially helpful with mental health symptoms like brain fog, focus issues, anxiety, or executive dysfunction.

2) Use Templates So You Don’t Start From Scratch

Make reusable templates like:

  • “How-to guide”

  • “Resource list”

  • “Personal story”

  • “Review”

  • “FAQ”

You can even create a repeatable structure:

  • Hook

  • What this is

  • Who it helps

  • Steps or tips

  • Quick recap

  • Call to action

3) Dictation Is Valid (and Powerful)

If typing is painful or exhausting:

  • Use voice-to-text on your phone

  • Use Windows dictation

  • Use Google Docs voice typing

  • Clean up later in short sessions

A blog doesn’t care how the words got there. Your body matters more than the method.


Accessibility Matters: It Helps Your Readers and Your SEO

Accessibility isn’t just a “nice bonus.” It’s a core part of disability-led blogging—and it expands your audience. It also improves search performance because clear structure is easier for both screen readers and search engines.

Here are high-impact habits that don’t require perfection:

Use Clear Headings (H2, H3)

Good headings help:

  • screen readers navigate

  • readers skim quickly

  • Google understand your post structure

Write Alt Text That Describes the Purpose of the Image

Alt text should answer: “What information does this image provide?”
Example:

  • Bad: “image”

  • Better: “Screenshot of Blogger post editor showing the schedule button”

  • Best: “Blogger editor screen with the scheduling options open, showing date and time fields”

Use High Contrast and Readable Fonts

A lot of people have visual processing issues, migraines, or light sensitivity. Keep it clean and readable.

Avoid Walls of Text

Short paragraphs, bullet points, and bold highlights help people with:

  • fatigue

  • ADHD

  • brain fog

  • dyslexia

  • cognitive overload

Your site disABLEd guy is already positioned perfectly to lead by example here—disability advocacy content works best when it’s accessible by default.


How to Monetize a Blog as a Disabled Creator (Realistic Options)

Let’s talk about money in a way that’s honest: not every method works for every person, and you don’t need to do all of them. The best approach is layering a few income streams so you’re not relying on one thing.

1) Display Ads (Passive-ish Income)

If your blog gets steady traffic, ads can become a baseline income stream.

Options:

  • Google AdSense (easy to start)

  • Other ad networks later (often require more traffic)

Best for: content with ongoing search traffic (how-to posts, resource lists, guides)

2) Affiliate Marketing (Recommend What You Already Use)

Affiliate links pay you a small commission when someone buys through your link.

Good affiliate content:

  • “Tools I use to blog with low energy”

  • “Best accessibility tools for writers”

  • “Budget-friendly gear for gaming setups” (great for your gaming site)

Your second site, Games in the Wild (https://www.gamesinthewild.com), is especially suited for affiliate income through:

  • game recommendations

  • accessories

  • controllers

  • adaptive gear

  • monitors, keyboards, chairs (if you choose)

3) Digital Products (Create Once, Sell Repeatedly)

This is one of the most disability-friendly models because you can create during higher-energy periods and sell even when you’re resting.

Ideas:

  • downloadable checklists (blogging, accessibility, budgeting)

  • templates (blog post templates, outreach emails)

  • mini eBooks (short and focused)

  • printable planners

  • “starter packs” (like a blog launch kit)

Your disability blog could offer:

  • “Accessible Blogging Starter Kit”

  • “Alt Text Cheat Sheet”

  • “Disability Advocacy Content Planner”

4) Services (Higher Pay per Hour, Best for Small Audiences)

If you don’t want to wait for traffic growth, services can earn money faster.

This connects directly to Mason Virtual Solutions (https://masonvirtualsolutions.ca). Services that pair well with blogging include:

  • blog formatting + publishing

  • SEO optimization

  • accessibility checks (headings, alt text, contrast)

  • Pinterest pin creation

  • content repurposing (turn a blog post into X threads, Pinterest pins, email newsletters)

Services can be offered in ways that protect your energy:

  • packages instead of hourly

  • limited client spots

  • clear boundaries and timelines

  • async communication only

5) Donations and Support (Ko-fi / Memberships)

If your content helps people, some will want to support the work directly.

Options:

  • Ko-fi

  • Buy Me a Coffee

  • Patreon

  • Membership areas (more advanced)

This works particularly well for advocacy blogging, because people often understand that this work takes emotional labor, research, and energy.

6) Sponsored Posts (Only When Your Audience Trusts You)

Brands may pay you for a review or feature once you have consistent traffic and a clear niche.

Tip: disability creators should feel empowered to set boundaries. You don’t have to promote anything that conflicts with your values.


The “Three-Blog Ecosystem” Strategy: Why Your Setup Is Smart

Running multiple sites can sound like “too much,” but if it’s structured properly, it becomes a powerful system.

1) disABLEd guy (https://www.disabledguy.ca)

This is your authority and advocacy platform.
Possible income paths:

  • ads (resource posts can rank well)

  • affiliate links (accessibility tools, assistive tech, books)

  • digital products (accessibility guides, templates)

  • donations/memberships

  • speaking opportunities later

2) Games in the Wild (https://www.gamesinthewild.com)

This is your interest-driven content hub.
Possible income paths:

  • affiliate links (games and gear)

  • ads (reviews + guides can get steady traffic)

  • sponsorships (once traffic grows)

  • YouTube/TikTok repurposing if you ever want to expand

3) Mason Virtual Solutions (https://masonvirtualsolutions.ca)

This is your service and income anchor.
Possible income paths:

  • client work (VA, automation, content)

  • retainers (monthly packages)

  • productized services (set deliverables, set price)

  • upsells from your blog audience (“Need help implementing this?”)

The real magic is cross-traffic:

  • disability blog readers may need VA help or accessibility formatting

  • gaming readers may discover your disability advocacy and support your work

  • service clients may become long-term supporters across all platforms


Blogging With Disability Without Burning Out

The biggest risk for disabled creators isn’t “failure.” It’s burnout from trying to do everything like an able-bodied influencer.

Here are rules that protect you:

Pick a sustainable posting schedule

One high-quality post per week (or even per month) can work if it’s evergreen and searchable.

Build an “energy-based content list”

Create 3 categories:

  • Low energy: short updates, link roundups, quick tips

  • Medium energy: list posts, resource guides

  • High energy: personal stories, deep research posts

Then choose based on what you can handle that day.

Let your blog be imperfect

You can always improve formatting later. Publishing something helpful is better than endlessly polishing nothing.


What to Write About (Disability + Money + Blogging Ideas)

If you want posts that can rank well and help people, here are strong topics:

  • “How to start blogging with chronic pain”

  • “Accessibility checklist for beginner bloggers”

  • “Blogger vs WordPress for disability advocacy”

  • “How to write alt text when you’re exhausted”

  • “Low-spoons content planning system”

  • “How to make money online with disability (realistic version)”

  • “Best free tools for disabled creators”

  • “How to build a blog when you have anxiety or ADHD”

These topics also naturally connect to the services on Mason Virtual Solutions, because readers often want help implementing what you teach.


Final Thoughts: Your Experience Is a Skill, Not a Limitation

Being disabled can come with barriers—real ones—but it also builds perspective, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Blogging lets you turn that into something useful for others and sustainable for yourself.

You’re not just “making a blog.” You’re building a platform that can:

  • educate

  • advocate

  • entertain

  • create community

  • open doors

  • generate income in multiple ways

And your three sites already create a solid foundation:

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