Sarah Rennie
Consultant and Campaigner
Education, Public and Third Sector
Sarah is accessibility specialist in the transport sector, providing advice, project management and training on inclusive practice, policy and customer experience products. She was commissioned to lead on accessibility for the launch of two train operators and now advises several operators around the UK.
During the pandemic, Sarah and her team trained over 4800 frontline staff and senior managers as part of programmes to improve customer experience for disabled and older people. She is also an appointed member of Transport for London’s Independent Disability Advisory Panel and is proud to chair Transreport’s Accessibility Panel.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in her home city of Birmingham in 2022, Sarah has been appointed to its Legacy and Benefits Committee in order to support a meaningful legacy for all citizens and was elected Chair of its Accessibility Advisory Forum.
Sarah is also Vice Chair of Access Birmingham – an independent group which campaigns for inclusion in the city and advises on proposed development schemes.
Following the tragic number of disabled people who died at Grenfell Tower and the building safety crisis sweeping across the UK, Sarah co-founded Claddag – a campaign group for disabled leaseholders and those unable to self-evacuate from blocks of flats. Attracting press attention as far as the New York Times, the group has been highly influential in a space that has historically ignored the rights and voices of disabled people.
“I am very proud to be a disabled woman and a member of the disabled community. This year, in particular, has shone a light on the injustices facing our community and I continually learn from, and am energised by, disabled friends and colleagues fighting for equality.”