Simon Sansome

Simon Sansome is a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion whose life story has inspired thousands. After a life-changing spinal injury left him paralysed from the waist down, Simon turned adversity into action by dedicating his career to improving accessibility and equality for disabled people. His journey from public sector worker to award-winning entrepreneur shows the power of resilience, innovation, and purpose. As the founder and CEO of Snowball Community Ltd, Simon has created a platform that redefines what accessibility means for communities and businesses worldwide. His work encourages organisations to think inclusively, not only in compliance terms but as a cornerstone of progress and empathy.

Before founding Snowball, Simon spent several years working in adult social care for Leicester City Council, where he developed a deep understanding of systemic barriers faced by vulnerable individuals. Following his injury in 2014, he retrained at De Montfort University, earning a degree in journalism, and began using his writing to campaign for change. In 2016, he launched Ability Access, a Facebook community that quickly grew into one of the largest disability awareness platforms in the UK, reaching hundreds of thousands of followers. The project highlighted accessibility gaps in everyday environments, from restaurants to public spaces, laying the foundation for what would later become his most significant venture.

Simon’s innovation came to life through the Snowball Community app, often described as ‘TripAdvisor for the disabled community’. The app enables users to find and review accessible venues, from hotels and restaurants to attractions and transport hubs, and now lists close to 100,000 locations worldwide. In 2025, Simon made headlines by securing investment offers from all five Dragons on the BBC show Dragons’ Den, a rare achievement that recognised both the social value and commercial potential of his idea. Snowball has since become the largest disability app in the world and has won multiple national and international awards for technology, inclusion, and community impact.

As a speaker, Simon connects deeply with audiences by blending honesty, humour, and hard-earned insight. He shares the story of how one frustrating moment, being unable to access a restaurant toilet, sparked a movement that is changing lives. Through his talks, Simon demonstrates how inclusive thinking benefits everyone, from customers to employees to shareholders. He challenges organisations to consider accessibility as both a human right and a driver of growth. Combining lived experience with professional understanding, Simon empowers audiences to create workplaces, services, and societies where everyone can thrive.