It soon became clear – insights into technology and participation

Purpose This paper aims to explore the experience of working with different conceptualisations participation and participatory practice. is done through an examination involvement a technology company within multinational, 3-years research project involving 13 partners over 200 disabled people. Design/methodology/approach provides case study, narrative account range activities undertaken project, presenting rare much-needed explicit insight into emergence ways reasoning tensions behind them. Findings Through study gaze one companies involved, it explicates underpinning processes approach how these challenged notions various partners. Originality/value shows engaging in meaningfully creates profound institutional challenges for developers. The subsequent need make hard decisions compromises throughout disrupts traditional anticipated outcomes. However, also reveals opportunities delivering unanticipated transformative outcomes, highlighting greater flexibility funding that be participatory.