From Challenges to Solutions: A Personal Story with Katy Deacon

EP - 5 Summary In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Katy Deacon shares her journey as a chartered engineer and her personal experiences with accessibility challenges due to multiple sclerosis. She discusses the importance of inclusive design in engineering, her efforts to modify her home for accessibility, and the financial and emotional hurdles she faced. Katy also highlights the role of benevolent funds in supporting individuals with disabilities and introduces her company, Towards Belonging, which aims to bridge the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry. She concludes with an exciting project involving AI in design software to promote accessibility in architecture. Takeaways Accessibility must be a priority in engineering design. Personal experiences can drive professional change. Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. Financial support options exist for home modifications. Benevolent funds can provide crucial assistance for those in need. Community engagement is essential for understanding accessibility needs. Innovative solutions can transform living spaces for wheelchair users. Education on accessibility should be integrated into engineering curricula. AI can streamline the process of creating accessible designs. Collaboration between disabled individuals and engineers is vital for progress. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Katy Deacon's Journey 04:17 Personal Experience with Accessibility Challenges 08:35 Engineering Solutions for Accessibility 13:44 Financial Aspects of Home Modifications 21:57 The Role of Benevolent Funds 23:44 Towards Belonging: Bridging Gaps in Accessibility 27:34 Innovative Projects in Accessible Design   Keywords accessible housing, engineering, disability, inclusivity, personal experience, home modifications, benevolent funds, Towards Belonging, AI in design, accessibility challenges   Contact for Katy Deacon www.towardsbelonging.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-deacon   Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!   If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk 📩 Email me directly at [email protected] 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!