Snowball, the free accessibility app founded by Leicester entrepreneur Simon Sansome, has been named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026.
Snowball lets disabled people, carers and families find, review and share accessible places around the world. TIME highlighted how the app turns users’ lived experience into detailed accessibility information. Reviewers can rate venues for things like step-free access, accessible toilets, parking, seating, lighting, noise and quiet spaces. They can also choose to share their disability or neurodivergence, helping others with similar needs. The app now lists nearly 100,000 accessible locations globally.
Simon created Snowball after becoming a full-time wheelchair user 12 years ago and struggling to find reliable accessibility information. He told TIME that “accessibility is personal”.
Snowball has also appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, where all five Dragons made investment offers, and has started working with Google. Simon says it has built a community of more than 170,000 people across its platforms.
Simon said:
“It’s about showing the world that disability innovation matters.”
“We may be a small company from Leicestershire, but we’ve got some very big ambitions.
“And with international expansion now underway, this really is just the beginning.”
Simon’s asking people to download the app, review somewhere they’ve visited and share it, and invites businesses, local authorities and tourism organisations who want to be more accessible to get in touch.
🍎 Apple App Store:
https://lnkd.in/e3hnVhd5
🤖 Google Play:
https://lnkd.in/eUbav_7a