One of the joys of launching the Purple Changemakers Podcast is being able to sit down with people who are not just talking about change but building it.
In this latest episode, I speak with David Dew-Veal, founder and CEO of Open Road Access (ORA). ORA has a bold mission: to close the transport accessibility gap, starting with flexible, dignified, and scalable rental of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
David shares how his early family experience of a Motability WAV showed him first-hand the freedom that accessible transport can unlock. From there, his career in consulting gave him a front-row seat to both the opportunities and the barriers in the transport sector. Eventually, that led him to founding ORA – bringing lived experience and business expertise together to solve a critical social challenge.
Listening to David, I was struck by how much of his journey aligns with the Purple Changemaker Playbook. ORA’s vision is clear and urgent. Its execution is practical and scalable. And underpinning it all is the resilience and belief that accessible transport isn’t a “nice to have” but essential infrastructure for an inclusive society.
We also talk about the broader system change needed in transport, and the role that entrepreneurs, policymakers, and communities can play in closing the accessibility gap.
👉 Watch, listen or read here: YouTube | Spotify | Transcript
This conversation reminded me that transport is never just about getting from A to B. For millions of disabled people and their families, it’s about independence, dignity, and connection. ORA is showing us what’s possible, and why inclusion must be built into the future of mobility.
