Regular readers will know I like to start my blogs with some definitions. Today’s post is about an experience I had meeting new people who share my lived experience of disability, and how technology can play a role in supporting us to take part in everyday life.
Occupations, in the context of occupational therapy, refer to the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose from meeting a friend for coffee, filling the car with petrol, and going to work, to dressing, cooking, and performing self-care tasks. In truth, it’s everything and anything that occupies our time. For people with disabilities, the environment and/or their health conditions can often make carrying out these occupations more difficult.
Belonging goes a step further than inclusion. It’s not only about being allowed in, but about feeling genuinely welcome, connected, and able to participate fully in communities and spaces.
When designed inclusively, technology can act as an aid to occupation. Apps that reduce barriers or remove uncertainty don’t just make life more convenient; they create the conditions for people to participate more confidently and to experience a stronger sense of belonging.
Today I saw this in practice when I joined a mapping exercise in Newcastle with Sociability. An organisation and app that helps people find accessible venues. Sociability lets you check if a place has step-free access, a wheelchair turning space, suitable toilets, or quieter environments. I want to be clear that this isn’t an advert, I’m not being paid to promote it. I simply think it’s a useful tool that occupational therapists may want to share with the people they support, because at its heart, Sociability is about enabling occupation.
Getting to Newcastle wasn’t without challenges. I’ve visited many times before, but usually with my husband to assist. Doing the trip on my own added extra pressure and used up more energy. This time I realised my car needed petrol. Normally, I plan ahead, and my husband makes sure the car is filled, so I don’t get caught short, but he had already left for work. After a slightly frantic phone call to my brother, who unfortunately couldn’t help this time, I remembered the FuelService app. I’d only used it once before; I can be guilty of overthinking these things, but today I decided to just give it a go. What was the worst that could happen?
The app lets you choose a petrol station, send an alert to staff when you arrive, and then stay in your car while they come out to fill it for you. To pay, you hand over your card so they can take it inside, which does take a bit of trust. But it all went smoothly, and I was able to continue my journey. That small piece of technology turned what could have been a barrier into an enabler, a reminder that sometimes the right tool at the right moment makes participation possible.
When I met the group, some people shared that they’d felt nervous about coming. But what gave them confidence was knowing they’d be with others who understood what it’s like to live with a disability. That shared understanding created an immediate sense of belonging.
During the day, we split into two groups, learned how to use the Sociability app, and completed some challenges to win points. Afterwards, we went for coffee and cake at the Everyman Cinema. We’d chosen it because we knew it would be quieter, and it turned out to be a good choice. The space could comfortably fit six wheelchair users once we’d shifted a bit of furniture around, and the calm atmosphere made it easier for people who might find noisy cafés overwhelming. The platform lift wasn’t ideal; we had to go down one at a time, and the turning space was tricky for the larger electric wheelchairs, but we worked together and sorted it in the end. Once downstairs, it was a great place to talk and relax together.
The Sociability app relies on the community to add information. Over time, this collective input builds up into a rich resource that everyone can use. In itself, this can be seen as a meaningful occupation, something that could even be set as a goal in occupational therapy. By exploring new venues and contributing reviews or access details, people not only get out and engage with their communities but also leave something of value for others. As more people use the app, it becomes a better tool for everyone.
For me, the whole day reinforced why apps like Sociability matter for occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is about enabling people to do the things that matter to them, to participate in everyday life, and to feel that they belong in their communities. Accessibility looks different for everyone; what works for me as a wheelchair user might not meet the needs of someone with autism or anxiety. Sociability doesn’t remove every barrier, but it gives people reliable information and greater control. That makes participation possible.
So while today was about mapping Newcastle, it was also about seeing how technology can support occupation and belonging. Apps like Sociability, or even FuelService, are more than conveniences; they are aids to participation. They remind us that sometimes the smallest tools can have the biggest impact in enabling people to live the lives they choose.
I left Newcastle feeling good. I’d met some lovely people who “get me” without me needing to explain. I’m excited by the possibilities that came from the day, and while I’ll need a rest day tomorrow to recover, it was absolutely worth it. A big thank you to everyone who came along today, you made it such a positive experience.
Thanks as always for reading Rachel XX