Meet Spenser Gray - IDPD Community Spotlight
This Wednesday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities - an annual event created by the United Nations to “promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities” - we’ve been celebrating it all week!
Within the All The Elements Community there are some incredible disability campaigners, activists and changemakers. Through this blog series we’re shining a light on their work, celebrating their achievements, and championing the importance of disability inclusion in the UK outdoors.
Last up in this content series is Spenser Gray (he/him), who chairs the BMC's Technical Committee. As part of his role with the BMC, Spenser is currently working to create a centralised hub for information, supporting the participation of disabled and neurodivergent people in rock climbing, mountaineering and hill walking activities.
What do you love most about spending time outdoors?
The way in which it forces me to be present in the moment and stop thinking about things elsewhere in my life. Also, not being in an open plan office!
What's one thing you wish more people understood about accessibility and the outdoors?
If accessibility is properly considered, disabled and neurodivergent people can get so much out of activities like hiking and rock climbing, and can achieve far more than they would ever have expected to do so.
What's the most impactful adaptation or change that you’ve found, or someone has made, that's helped you to access the outdoors more easily?
Climbing clubs were instrumental in enabling me to learn to climb. They allowed me to have a consistent pool of partners without ever feeling that I was putting social pressure on climbing partners to spend time with me. For someone who was frequently told that he was "too much" throughout childhood, this was indescribably helpful in terms of enabling me to go climbing.
This article is part of a series written by All The Elements, to celebrate some of our incredible community members, inspired by International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Each day this week, we have spotlighted a different person. You can explore the full series here or follow along with us on social media.
Join our Disability Campaigners’ Community!
Are you working on disability inclusion in the UK outdoors? If so we’d love you to join our Community! Our last online social of this year was earlier this week, but the 2026 dates will be announced soon! Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about future dates - or drop us an email at hello@alltheelements.co to find out more.
