Santander has partnered with Snowball, the mobile app often described as “TripAdvisor for the disabled community,” to introduce accessibility scores at its popular high-street Work Cafés. Similar to a food hygiene rating, these scores aim to promote transparency and provide greater support for disabled customers.
The initial rollout covers Santander Work Cafés in Leeds and Milton Keynes, along with three London locations – Triton Square, Cheapside, and Kensington High Street – all of which have been individually assessed by Snowball’s team. Each café, which offers free co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and Wi-Fi, was evaluated for accessibility features including wheelchair access, as well as design considerations for individuals with dyslexia, neurodivergent conditions, and dementia.
All five cafés have achieved the top accessibility rating of five out of five, a score recognised by the disabled community and now prominently displayed within each location.
Created by disabled activist and wheelchair user Simon Sansome, Snowball is a mobile app dedicated to improving accessibility across the UK. With over 100,000 user reviews, it features a built-in satnav for navigating accessible venues and a national disability rating system, now adopted by Santander’s Work Cafés. The platform helps businesses enhance accessibility while offering membership options for those wishing to be rated and listed.
Following a successful trial, Santander plans to expand the accessibility rating scheme to additional Work Cafés in London and other cities, as well as to its contact centres.
Simon Sansome commented: “I’m delighted Santander has embraced our disability rating initiative. Disabled individuals make up a significant portion of the UK workforce, yet their needs are often overlooked in the design of offices, co-working spaces, and conference facilities.
Santander has long been on my radar as a business that prioritises accessibility. By partnering with us, they’re making a real difference – helping disabled customers and colleagues enjoy their exceptional business support services, and, of course, their fantastic coffee.”
The Snowball app is available for free on Apple and Android.
