Exploring new perspectives with James Brown of Mobiloo

13 April 2018

James Brown, a five-time Paralympian who is now transforming the world with his life-changing toilets, visited the Centre as part of our Innovation Speaker Series. Angus, second-year Computer Science with Innovation student, shares his thoughts about James’ incredible story.

We had the pleasure of hearing James Brown talk about his entrepreneurial journey, what motivates him, and his current venture, Mobiloo.

James Brown from Mobiloo presenting at the Centre

Mobiloo is a service that allows organisations to rent a mobile disabled changing facility, with a special hoist and changing table, enabling disabled people to attend events that they would not have been able to attend before. Why? According to Brown, often standard toilets “undignified, unsafe, unhygienic and unacceptable” for people with certain disabilities.

I personally found it inspiring how James, a man with 5% sight, not only is a successful entrepreneur, but an award-winning Paralympian. James talked a lot about thinking about what motivates you to do what you do. For him, it’s all about independence, discovery, and challenge. He prompted us to think about what motivates us, trying to identify 3 key values. I found this exercise really insightful, and I will continue to reflect on.

One aspect of James’ talk that resonates with our values in Innovation, is the idea of bringing your own perspective and experience to the table when trying to identify problems to solve, and how these factors shape the ideas we form. For example, a non- disabled person might have come up with a completely different solution to Mobiloo.

We focus a lot on empathy when solving problems in Innovation, trying to see things from the user’s perspective, but we often don’t consider disabled users. We live in a time where technological advances should mean everyone should be able to experience life to the fullest. Maybe we should be thinking more about how we can design and innovate for everyone? I know it’s something I’ll keep in mind going forward in my projects.

Further information

Angus is studying Computer Science with Innovation. Computer Science is having a huge impact on the technology that is shaping our society and the way that we live. The Innovation Programme is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you will need, combining the fundamentals of Computer Science with an understanding of how to turn ideas into plans for digital and creative enterprises, both social and commercial.

James has represented GB and Ireland in five Paralympic Games, twenty-three World Championships and five European Championships across FIVE different sports. He has hung up his bike, skis, spikes and swim-suit to invent the World’s first mobile, attended toilet and changing place for disabled people who need a hoist and changing bench.

A quarter of a million disabled people in the UK are either stuck at home or face the indignity and risk of being changed on disgusting toilet floors simply because of a lack of adequate facilities. Mobiloo is the solution. With all the equipment necessary for safe, dignified and hygienic toileting and changing, Mobiloo helps make any event or venue truly accessible. They are regulars at Chelsea and Swansea Football Clubs, Twickenham Rugby Stadium, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Bristol Harbour Festival, Love Saves The Day + many more music, sports, cultural and private events around the UK.