Bringing Transport to the Heart of Rehabilitation
For too long, transport has been the silent partner in rehabilitation — essential, but often overlooked. Yet accessible, reliable mobility is one of the biggest enablers of recovery, independence, and participation. This November, Open Road Access (ORA) is putting transport centre stage at the Occupational Therapy Show 2025, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 27–28 November.
As the UK’s leading provider of accessible transport solutions for the healthcare and rehabilitation sectors, ORA will exhibit at Stand H29, showcasing its innovative approach to flexible, fixed-cost vehicle hire for clients with evolving mobility needs. The company will also host a headline CPD session — ‘The Role of Transport in Enabling Rehabilitation and Recovery”’— on Day 1 at 3 PM in Theatre 1, featuring Catherine Marris, ORA’s Director of Partnerships, Policy and Impact, and Martyn Sibley, disability inclusion changemaker, entrepreneur, and author.
Together, they’ll explore a critical idea that guides ORA’s work:
As a client’s mobility needs change, so should their transport.
Why Transport Matters in Rehabilitation
In the complex landscape of rehabilitation, access to the right transport at the right time can make the difference between progress and plateau. Whether it’s attending therapy sessions, reconnecting with work, or simply visiting family, mobility underpins every step of recovery.
For occupational therapists and case managers, transport planning can significantly influence continuity of care, client engagement, and long-term outcomes. Flexible, affordable, and predictable transport solutions remove barriers to participation and enable clients to move through the stages of recovery with confidence.
That’s the principle behind Open Road Access’s nationwide vehicle hire service. It provides adaptive, accessible vehicles that can be tailored to each stage of rehabilitation — from short-term post-discharge mobility to long-term independence — all delivered through a fixed-cost model that supports clear, sustainable budgeting for case managers, funders, and clinical teams.
Meet the Experts: Catherine Marris and Martyn Sibley
Catherine Marris: Leading Innovation in Accessible Transport
As Director of Partnerships, Policy and Impact at ORA, Catherine Marris brings deep expertise in accessible transport and inclusive technology. Formerly Head of Innovation at Motability, she led landmark programmes that included the creation of the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) and initiatives to ensure the UK’s transition to electric vehicles is inclusive for disabled people.
Catherine’s career reflects a consistent theme — designing systems that work for everyone. With degrees from the University of Oxford and Columbia University, she combines strategic vision with practical insight, driving partnerships that improve real-world accessibility and equity.
‘Recovery isn’t static — and neither are people’s mobility needs’, says Catherine. ‘When transport adapts alongside rehabilitation goals, it becomes an active part of recovery rather than an afterthought’.
Martyn Sibley: A Leading Voice for Disability Inclusion
Joining Catherine on stage is Martyn Sibley, a globally recognised disability inclusion changemaker, entrepreneur, and author. As CEO and co-founder of Purple Goat Agency — the world’s most inclusive marketing agency — Martyn helps global brands authentically represent disabled people and tap into the £300 billion ‘Purple Pound’.
Over nearly two decades, Martyn has co-founded Disability Horizons, built Accomable (an accessible travel start-up acquired by Airbnb), and launched initiatives like Purple Changemakers and Purple Collective, which empower social entrepreneurs and advocates. His work has been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, Forbes, and the Financial Times’ Sifted.
‘True inclusion means designing systems — like transport — that evolve with people’, Martyn notes. ‘When we remove barriers to mobility, we unlock opportunity, independence, and wellbeing for everyone’.
Session Spotlight: The Role of Transport in Enabling Rehabilitation and Recovery
The panel will explore how transport acts as both a bridge and a catalyst in recovery. Attendees can expect to:
- Understand the link between mobility and participation, and how transport shapes clinical outcomes.
- Learn practical ways to integrate transport into assessment and discharge planning.
- Compare accessible vehicle hire with taxis, ambulances, or adapted private vehicles, identifying which options deliver the best flexibility and value at each stage.
- Discover how ORA’s fixed-cost model gives case managers and funders confidence in budgeting and service continuity.
The session will combine lived experience, strategic insight, and sector innovation — offering practical takeaways for occupational therapists, case managers, and rehabilitation specialists looking to improve client outcomes through smarter mobility planning.
Exhibiting at the OT Show 2025: What to Expect from ORA
At Stand H29, ORA’s team will showcase how its nationwide accessible vehicle hire service supports clients transitioning through every phase of recovery. Visitors can learn how the service helps:
- Bridge the gap between clinical care and daily life;
- Reduce delays and complexity in arranging transport post-discharge;
- Provide predictable costs for case management and insurer reporting;
- Offer scalable, sustainable mobility support as rehabilitation needs change.
With its focus on innovation, reliability, and person-centred design, ORA is helping redefine what accessible transport looks like in practice — combining technology, logistics, and empathy to create real-world impact.
Putting Transport at the Centre of Inclusive Recovery
The conversation around inclusive transport has never been more important. With rising demand for community-based rehabilitation and greater focus on person-centred care, occupational therapists and case managers are increasingly recognising mobility as a clinical, not just logistical, consideration.
ORA’s approach challenges the traditional view that transport sits outside the rehabilitation process. Instead, it positions mobility as a core enabler of independence, one that evolves as clients regain confidence and capability. Whether recovering from injury, illness, or surgery, access to suitable transport helps sustain engagement in therapy, social connection, and meaningful activity — all crucial for holistic recovery.
By offering flexible, scalable solutions — from temporary hire to longer-term arrangements — ORA empowers practitioners to respond to changing client needs swiftly and effectively. It’s an approach built around adaptability, predictability, and partnership.
Why Occupational Therapists Should Attend
The Occupational Therapy Show 2025 provides the perfect opportunity to explore these ideas and see first-hand how transport innovation is shaping modern rehabilitation.
Visitors to the show can:
- Attend ORA’s panel session (Day 1, Theatre 1, 3 PM) for insights from two leading voices in inclusive transport and disability inclusion.
- Connect with ORA’s experts at Stand H29 to discuss individual client transport needs, case management planning, or partnership opportunities.
- See how transport solutions can align with functional goals — supporting not only physical recovery but confidence, social reintegration, and long-term wellbeing.
Whether you’re an OT, case manager, rehabilitation specialist, or mobility professional, this session will help you think differently about how transport underpins every stage of the recovery journey.
Looking Ahead: Redefining Mobility for Recovery
Open Road Access’s mission is simple yet transformative: to make transport an enabler of recovery, not a barrier. By delivering adaptable, fixed-cost solutions that evolve with each client, ORA is helping create a future where mobility is predictable, inclusive, and empowering.
As Catherine Marris puts it:
‘Transport is more than getting from A to B. It’s about getting people back to living their lives — on their terms’.
With its participation at the OT Show 2025, Open Road Access aims to inspire a new conversation across the rehabilitation sector — one where transport is recognised as a cornerstone of holistic, person-centred care.
Visit ORA at the OT Show 2025
📍 Stand H29 | 🗓 27–28 November 2025 | NEC Birmingham
🎤 Panel Session: The Role of Transport in Enabling Rehabilitation and Recovery
🗓 Day 1 – Wednesday 27 November | 🕒 3:00 PM | 📍 Theatre 1
For more information or to arrange a meeting during the show, contact info@openroadaccess.co.uk or visit www.openroadaccess.co.uk.
