The Old Times

GRATR Progress

From Canvas Post Session Activity – Week 7: Then continue to work on your social media platform: consider your typographic choices focusing on readability, hierarchy and organising information. 

https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/d824cc2a-a2c2-418e-b1cd-b654ad63a646

I have been thinking about the process and progress of the GRATR app and decided to make some notes about the principles surrounding the app – I have to admit that seeing the work of my fellow students yesterday spooked me a bit because of the detail and quality of their work compared to my less than rudimentary knowledge of Adobe XD. Once I had captured my thoughts, I asked Claude AI to take a look at my proposals and it created the app above which can be found by following the link above. This draft does not have the style or look and feel that I would like but it is a good test of the concept which I think has the potential to work well.

The following is the document I prepared as part of the design of the app:

D R A F T of proposed structure for the GRATR app:

Home Page

• Hero section with GRATR brand messaging
• Quick navigation tiles to the five main sections
• Featured content/highlights from each section
• Search functionality
• User profile access

Five Sections

1. GRATR Freedom

Subsections:

• Transport & Mobility – Queer friendly transport options, disability information, safe journey planning
• Accessibility Tools – Apps, devices, and technology recommendations
• Walking, Cycling and Outdoors – Cycle routes, walks with reviews, sport and activities
• Travel & Adventure – LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, travel tips, accommodation reviews
• Personal Stories – User experiences and inspiration

2. GRATR Connections

Subsections:

• Community Groups – Local meetups, support groups, activity clubs
• Events Calendar – LGBTQ+ friendly events, workshops, social gatherings
• Mentorship – Connect with mentors or become one
• Forums & Discussion – Topic-based conversations and Q&A
• Dating & Relationships – LGBTQ+ friendly dating advice and connections

3. GRATR Social Life

Subsections:

• Entertainment – LGBTQ+ friendly cinemas, theatres, concerts, venues
• Sports & Recreation – LGBTQ+ sports, fitness classes, outdoor activities
• Arts & Culture – Museums, galleries, exhibitions with accessibility info
• Nightlife – LGBTQ+ friendly bars, clubs, social venues
• Hobbies & Interests – Clubs and groups for various interests

4. GRATR Food & Drink

Subsections:

• Restaurant Reviews – Ratings, menus, atmosphere
• Cafés & Bars – LGBTQ+ friendly coffee shops and casual dining
• Recipe Ideas – Cooking tips and LGBTQ+ friendly recipes
• Food Delivery – Services with accessibility features
• Dietary Needs – Venues catering to specific requirements

5. GRATR Shopping

Subsections:

• LGBTQ+ friendly Stores – Physical shops with good reviews for queer customers
• Online Shopping – LGBTQ+ friendly e-commerce platforms and recommendations
• Fashion – Clothing and accessories
• Products – Where to buy products relevant to LGBTQ+ lifestyle
• Reviews & Recommendations – User reviews and product comparisons

Additional Pages:

• User Profile
• Account Settings
• Favourites/Bookmarks
• Submit a Review/Recommendation
• About GRATR
• Contact/Support

Detailed GRATR App Structure & User Flow

Home Page – Deep Dive

Key Elements:

• Personalized Dashboard – Shows content based on user’s location, interests, and saved preferences
• “Near Me” Feature – Geolocation-based suggestions from all five sections
• Trending Now – Popular venues, events, and discussions across the community
• Your Recent Activity – Quick access to recently viewed places, saved items
• Quick Actions – “Find LGBTQ+ friendly restaurant now,” “Browse local events,” “Ask the community”
• Accessibility Settings Toggle – Quickly adjust text size, contrast, voice navigation

1. GRATR Freedom – Detailed Structure

Transport & Mobility

• Journey Planner – Plan LGBTQ+ friendly routes with real-time updates
• Transport Reviews – Rate trains, buses, taxis, ride-shares for accessibility
• Parking Finder – Locate blue badge parking, charging points for mobility scooters
• Airport/Station Guides – Step-by-step accessibility guides for major transit hubs

Accessibility Tools

• Product Database – Searchable catalogue with user ratings
• Tech Tutorials – How-to guides for assistive technology
• App Directory – Curated list of useful accessibility apps
• Comparison Tool – Side-by-side feature comparisons

Independent Living

• Home Adaptations Showcase – Photo galleries, cost estimates, contractor recommendations
• Smart Home Integration – Voice assistants, automated systems for accessibility
• Grant & Funding Info – Financial support resources
• Expert Q&A – Ask occupational therapists, accessibility specialists

Travel & Adventure

• Destination Guides – Comprehensive accessibility information by location
• Accommodation Reviews – Hotels, Airbnbs rated for true accessibility
• Travel Planning Checklist – Customizable pre-trip planning tools
• Travel Buddy Matching – Connect with travel companions

Personal Stories

• Featured Stories – Inspirational journeys and achievements
• Share Your Story – Submit your own experiences
• Video Testimonials – Community member spotlights
• Filter by Topic – Sort by interest area, type of disability

2. GRATR Connections – Detailed Structure

Community Groups

• Group Directory – Browse by location, interest, disability type
• Create/Join Groups – Start your own community
• Group Chat – In-app messaging for group members
• Event Organization – Tools for groups to plan meetups

Events Calendar

• Calendar View – Monthly/weekly/daily views with filters
• Event Details – Full accessibility breakdown, RSVP, share
• Add to Personal Calendar – Sync with phone calendar
• Past Events Gallery – Photos and recaps

Mentorship

• Mentor Profiles – Browse mentors by expertise area
• Mentee Matching – Algorithm suggests compatible matches
• Goal Setting – Track mentorship objectives
• Video Chat Integration – Built-in communication tools

Forums & Discussion

• Topic Boards – Organized by theme (employment, relationships, health, etc.)
• Trending Discussions – Most active conversations
• Search Archive – Find previous discussions
• Notification Settings – Follow threads, get updates

Dating & Relationships

• Profile Creation – Disability-friendly, customizable profiles
• Matching System – Based on interests, values, location
• Safety Features – Verification, reporting, blocking
• Relationship Advice – Articles, expert columns

3. GRATR Social Life – Detailed Structure

Entertainment

• Venue Finder – Map view with accessibility filters
• What’s On – Current shows, films, performances
• Detailed Access Info – Seating, hearing loops, sensory-friendly showings
• Book Tickets – Direct links to booking platforms
• User Photos – See real accessibility features

Sports & Recreation

• Activity Finder – Search by sport/activity type
• Facility Reviews – Gyms, pools, outdoor spaces
• Class Schedules – Adaptive fitness and sport classes
• Equipment Hire – Where to rent adaptive sports equipment
• Team Sports – Find or create teams

Arts & Culture

• Exhibition Listings – Current and upcoming shows
• Accessibility Tours – Pre-booked LGBTQ+ friendly viewing times
• Workshop Opportunities – LGBTQ+ friendly art, music, drama classes
• Virtual Tours – For venues not yet visited

Nightlife

• Venue Database – Bars, clubs, comedy nights with accessibility info
• Entry Requirements – Cover charges, dress codes, booking info
• Quiet/Loud Ratings – Sensory environment information
• Group Booking – Tools for organizing nights out

Hobbies & Interests

• Interest Groups – Book clubs, gaming, crafts, photography, etc.
• Skill Sharing – Learn from community members
• Virtual Activities – Online meetups and activities
• Resource Library – Guides for adaptive participation

4. GRATR Food & Drink – Detailed Structure

Restaurant Reviews

• Advanced Filters – Cuisine type, price range, accessibility features
• Detailed Access Ratings – Entry, bathrooms, seating, lighting, noise
• Photo Gallery – User-submitted photos of access features
• Menu Access – Large print, braille availability, allergen info
• Reservation Integration – Note accessibility needs when booking

Cafés & Bars

• Coffee Shop Finder – Good for working, meetings, quick stops
• Outdoor Seating – Weather-dependent LGBTQ+ friendly options
• Wifi & Power – Work-friendly locations
• Dog-Friendly – For service/assistance dogs

Recipe Ideas

• Adaptive Cooking Tips – One-handed cooking, seated prep, etc.
• Video Tutorials – Step-by-step LGBTQ+ friendly cooking
• Kitchen Gadget Reviews – Adaptive utensils and tools
• Meal Planning – Weekly LGBTQ+ friendly meal prep

Food Delivery

• Service Comparisons – Accessibility features of delivery apps
• Special Instructions – How to communicate access needs
• Contactless Options – Safe delivery preferences
• Subscription Boxes – Meal kits with accessibility considerations

Dietary Needs

• Allergen-Friendly – Venues excellent for specific requirements
• Specialized Diets – Vegan, gluten-free, etc. with accessibility
• Nutritional Support – Resources for dietary management
• Community Recipes – User-shared LGBTQ+ friendly cooking

5. GRATR Shopping – Detailed Structure

LGBTQ+ friendly Stores

• Shop Directory – Physical stores with detailed access info
• Shopping Center Guides – Maps, facilities, quiet hours
• Personal Shopping Services – Stores offering assistance
• Parking & Transport – Getting to shops easily

Online Shopping

• Platform Reviews – Which sites are most LGBTQ+ friendly
• Browser Extensions – Tools to improve shopping experience
• LGBTQ+ friendly Checkout – Sites with streamlined processes
• Customer Service Ratings – Responsive, understanding retailers

Fashion

• Brand Directory – Companies specializing in adaptive clothing
• Style Guides – Fashion tips for various needs
• Fitting Advice – Size guides for adaptive wear
• User Reviews – Real experiences with adaptive fashion

Products

• Product Categories – Browse by need (mobility, daily living, communication, etc.)
• Price Comparison – Find best deals across retailers
• Funding Information – NHS, grants, insurance coverage
• Expert Recommendations – Curated selections by professionals
• Buy/Sell Secondhand – Marketplace for used equipment

Reviews & Recommendations

• User Ratings – Star ratings with detailed reviews
• Video Reviews – Community members demonstrating products
• Pro/Con Lists – Balanced assessments
• Ask the Community – Questions about specific products

User Flow Examples

Scenario 1: Finding a Restaurant

1. Home Page → Tap “GRATR Food & Drink”
2. Select “Restaurant Reviews”
3. Apply filters (location, cuisine, specific access needs)
4. Browse results with accessibility scores
5. Tap restaurant → See detailed access info, photos, reviews
6. Save to favourites or make reservation
7. After visit → Submit own review

Scenario 2: Joining a Community

1. Home Page → Tap “GRATR Connections”
2. Select “Community Groups”
3. Browse by interest or location
4. Tap group → See members, upcoming events, description
5. Request to join
6. Access group chat and events calendar
7. RSVP to events, participate in discussions

Scenario 3: Planning a Trip

1. Home Page → Tap “GRATR Freedom”
2. Select “Travel & Adventure”
3. Browse destination guides or search specific location
4. Read accessibility overview
5. Navigate to “Accommodation Reviews” within destination
6. Book LGBTQ+ friendly hotel
7. Return to “Transport & Mobility” → Plan journey to destination
8. Save entire trip to “My Trips” in profile

Scenario 4: Shopping for Equipment

1. Home Page → Tap “GRATR Shopping”
2. Select “Assistive Products”
3. Browse categories or search specific item
4. Compare products side-by-side
5. Read user reviews and watch video demos
6. Check “Funding Information” for financial support
7. Click through to purchase from retailer
8. Return to leave review after use

Cross-Section Features

Universal Elements Across All Sections:

• Save/Bookmark – Create collections of favourites
• Share – Social media, email, or in-app sharing
• Rate & Review – Consistent rating system (accessibility, quality, value)
• Report Issue – Flag incorrect or outdated information
• Contribute – Add new venues, products, events
• Accessibility View – Each listing shows standardized access information

Navigation Consistency:

• Bottom navigation bar with 5 main section icons
• Always LGBTQ+ friendly home button
• Search icon present on every page
• Profile/settings in top right corner
• Back button behaviour that makes sense contextually