Our Story: Designing for Inclusion
Belonging, Built from the Start
At its core, BelongifAI is the genesis of a new design culture: one where belonging is built in from the very start. We believe that accessibility should never be an afterthought – it should be woven seamlessly into every decision about how we design, build, and adapt our homes.
Our mission is simple: to change home design so that everyone belongs. With the help of intelligent tools, we’re reimagining how architects and engineers approach accessibility – making inclusion a natural and creative part of the design process.
Why Belonging Matters
For too long, accessible housing has been seen as specialist or separate. BelongifAI challenges this narrative. We want to make inclusive design the default – not just for those with visible needs, but for every person who calls a place home.
By shaping a culture where accessibility is considered from the blueprint stage, we can ensure that belonging isn’t bolted on, it’s built in.
Our Expert Team
Katy Deacon, Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers
The idea for BelongifAI comes from Katy Deacon, a British Chartered Electrical Engineer and a leading voice in inclusive design. As a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor, Katy works to bridge the gap between the lived experience of disabled people and the engineering industry, shaping the curriculum at universities like Aston and Huddersfield to make accessibility a core principle for the next generation.
Katy’s unique perspective – as both an award-winning engineer and a wheelchair user – fuels her advocacy. She is a Fellow and Vice President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and has been honoured with significant awards, including the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year, the Women’s Engineering Society Karen Burt Award, a place in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, and the Disability Personality of the Year Award.
With BelongifAI, Katy is building a tool that embodies her life’s work: creating a world where true belonging is engineered into our communities and environments from the very start.
Let’s Talk About Belonging
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re an architect, designer, engineer, or simply someone who believes in more inclusive homes, get in touch and join us on the journey.