Design and Disability

The exhibition will showcase the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people to contemporary design and culture from 1940s to now.

It will act as both a celebration of Disabled-led design and a call for action, affirming the importance of embedding the experiences and expertise of Disabled people into design processes. 170 objects will be on display across three sections – Visibility, Tools and Living – spanning design, art, architecture, fashion, and photography. It will show how Disabled people have designed for every aspect of life through their own experience and expertise as well as trace the political and social history of design and disability. Through examples of disability-first practices showcasing the work of Disabled people and their collaborators, the exhibition will demonstrate how design can be made more equitable and accessible and aim towards design justice. Designed with access integrated into every aspect of the exhibition, Design and Disability will rethink what an exhibition needs to be truly accessible. The exhibition will include self-regulation and resting areas as well as additional seating, has been designed to consider Deaf Space principles, and will feature an array of tactile objects, BSL guides and tactile surfaces and floors, to help orient blind and low vision visitors.