Sara Head, Ambassador for Accessible Living at Thomas Vaughan Ltd
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
My journey from competing as a Paralympian to training as an Occupational Therapist at the University of South Wales has taught me that true empowerment is nurtured through genuine involvement, not just handed over. High-performance sport instilled in me a focus on detail and adaptability—qualities now central to my clinical practice.
Too often, accessibility is treated as a "box-ticking" exercise guided by rigid rules rather than lived reality. Drawing on my lived experience and my role as an ambassador for Thomas Vaughan and Accessible Living, I’ve seen that accessibility must be person-centred. Designing solely to standards fails to guarantee accessibility or meaningful participation, as what enables one individual may inadvertently be a barrier to another. Effective adaptations must reflect the multifaceted nature of everyday life.
As a wheelchair user for three decades, I rarely had access to accessible showrooms, often forced to rely on blueprints or others' decisions. Engaging with real, functional spaces has shown that details such as height, position, and layout are vital to fostering independence. Through Thomas Vaughan’s CPD opportunities, I’ve seen how hands-on, practical learning shifts perspective and sharpens clinical reasoning. This approach bridges the gap between theory and the "lived experience" necessary for real-life engagement.
As professionals, we have a significant influence and voice over others' occupational opportunities. I urge OTs, students, and designers to challenge assumptions and drive co-design with people. When we attend to the details that matter to the individual, we empower them to take ownership of their lives.
This, fundamentally, is the heart of Occupational Therapy: it is about recognising, valuing, and championing the unique abilities and individuality of each person, whilst embracing the intricate and complex realities of everyday life.
Sara Head
Ambassador for Accessible Living at Thomas Vaughan Ltd
