Robbie Crow

I’m a disability inclusion leader and passionate advocate of the Social Model of Disability.

Although I’ve been blind since birth, my disability inclusion journey started when I discovered the social model. Since then, my mission has been to advocate for disability inclusion across society. I’m fortunate that’s turned into a career!

I’ve been involved with lots of great initiatives. My highlights include helping to set up a disabled graduate programme in the NHS, launching the first Access to Work stakeholder forum in Scotland, advising on the accessibility of Operation Unicorn following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and leading the BBC wide roll-out of our positive action employment programme, BBC Extend.

Since 2023 I’ve been leading disability inclusion work at the BBC as Strategic Disability Lead. I oversee our approach to disability inclusion across our whole workforce, striving to make it representative of the UK population. In my role, I’m proud to regularly meet with and advise senior leaders on disability, and lead major pieces of work across the organisation that drive us forward.

Alongside my professional achievements my other big milestone is leading Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support (MACS) as Chair through COVID-19. I led the redesign of the charity’s structure and services, ensuring our members were at the heart of all decision making, and I ensured financially viability during the time when our members needed us the most.

I use my lived and professional experience of disability to ensure that disabled people are included and represented in a non-disabled world – nothing about us, without us. The biggest advice I can give to disabled people remains “be confident in your access needs. We know our requirements best, and should feel confident to advocate for the support we need”.

I live in Glasgow with my wife, daughter and guide dog.