About Simon
Following a life-changing injury at the age of 32 in 2014, which resulted in partial paralysis from the waist down, Simon Sansome took early retirement due to ill health and returned to university to study journalism, pursuing a passion for writing.
In 2016, Simon launched a Facebook page called
Ability Access, now called the
Snowball Community, which has grown into the most-read disability page in the world. It can reach over 30 million people a month and has amassed over 100,000 social media followers.
Last year, Simon launched the
Snowball Community App, a “TripAdvisor-like” platform for the disabled community, allowing users to review and rate places for accessibility, with thousands of reviews already submitted.
Simon, who is a wheelchair user himself, created Snowball to make accessibility accessible, bringing together real-world insights and community-driven data to help users plan journeys and experiences with confidence.
He also serves as co-chair, alongside Jordan Jarrett Bryan (C4, TalkSPORT), of the Disability and Journalism Forum (DJF) UK, and is the subject of the award-winning Amazon documentary
Access All Areas, which follows his and his wife’s journey from the onset of disability to where they are today.
About Snowball
Snowball is a mobile app dedicated to improving accessibility for disabled individuals. It now boasts over 100,000 user reviews and features a built-in satnav for navigating accessible spaces. The app also introduced a national disability rating system – similar to a food hygiene rating – where Snowball assessors evaluate businesses for accessibility, including accommodations for dyslexia, neurodivergence, dementia, and other visible and non-visible disabilities.
Through partnerships and innovations, Snowball continues to enhance its user offering. Its recent collaboration with
Transport for London (TfL) brings step-free station information directly into the app, helping users plan accessible journeys across the capital, while a new partnership with the
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative enables users to easily find and identify Sunflower-friendly venues that cater to those with hidden disabilities or chronic conditions.
This groundbreaking service not only provides businesses with an opportunity to improve their accessibility, but also offers a membership option for £250, allowing them to be rated and listed on the app. Snowball’s success has been recognised internationally, ranking 9th in the
Power 100 list and earning 12 awards across regional, national, and global stages.
Supported by Paralympians Hannah Cockroft and Aaron Phipps, Snowball is more than an app, it’s a movement driving meaningful change in accessibility, inclusivity, and independence across the UK.
How Snowball Works
The Snowball app is a free review platform that helps people with disabilities find accessible businesses. It features:
- Reviews: Users can rate and review businesses based on their accessibility.
- Search: Users can search for places to make sure they are accessible before visiting.
- Sharing: Users can share information with other users.
- Accessibility: The app is fully accessible, using specific colors and fonts to create an easier experience for users with disabilities such as visual impairment.
The Snowball app is available for free on Apple and Android.
Snowball Awards
The app’s innovative approach has garnered national and international acclaim, including 12 prestigious awards across regional, national, and international stages.
Snowball’s success has also extended beyond the UK, securing backing from the Santander Global initiative, reaching 11 countries, and helping over 5,000 businesses improve their accessibility. In recognition of the company’s impact, it ranked 9th in the influential
Power 100 list, solidifying its position as a leader in the disability sector.
Snowball Supporters
Simon works closely with Paralympians Hannah Cockroft and Aaron Phipps, who actively support the initiative.
Snowball is not just a commercial enterprise, but a movement driven by the desire to make a real impact on the lives of disabled individuals. With endorsements from key disability advocates and ongoing discussions with government officials, the app is set to change the landscape of accessibility across the UK. Snowball is poised to create lasting change, making the world more accessible for everyone.
