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This article explores the use of a mobile technology platform as experienced by people with disability, their significant other and service providers. An interpretive qualitative study design was adopted involving observations and interviews. The data were analysed using the combined lenses of the social approach to disability and the PHAATE model which represents the factors for consideration in service design for assistive technology. The findings suggest that the adoption of the technology by those in the study could be characterised by a typology of users. The implications of the typology are discussed together with the influencing factors that affected social participation and disability citizenship. Points of interest• The study empirically tested the adoption of a mobile technology platform by people with a variety of impairments and support needs. • The findings provided a typology of users being 'Evangelists' , 'Embarkers' or 'Discontinuers' who were affected by a multitude of factors that enabled or constrained social participation. • For those adopting the technology, there were increases in skill development, social participation and disability citizenship. • The mobile technology empowered individuals to be creators of their own narratives that were communicated to family and friends, and newly established social networks. • The perceptions of the significant other(s) and the service providers acted as a constraint on the adoption of the technology for some study participants. • Social model and PHAATE analysis identified the importance of individual customisation of hardware and software, ongoing training and support, together with the 24/7 Help Centre to maximise uptake.

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