DoWell Co-Design Workshop and Lectures Series 2024-2025: Session 3

Beyond Access: Disability Culture Changing Design

by Dr Bess Williamson, North Carolina State University College of Design, USA

In this talk, Dr. Bess Williamson, author of Accessible America: A History of Disability and Design, shares ways in which disabled designers and activists are changing design approaches to accessibility. From Universal and Inclusive Design, to Disability Justice, these new practices centre on the lived experience of disabled people and their contributions to design.

The DoWell research group offers an expanded interdisciplinary workshop and lectures series this year to provide the opportunity for colleagues to explore an exciting range of different topics, including practices and approaches to co-designing in various health and care contexts. The format of the monthly sessions is more flexible this year, including online presentations and panel discussions as well as in-person workshops for colleagues to get hands-on experience and get involved in the different approaches to co-design. The workshops aim to provide a forum and time for colleagues to meet, and to foster discussion and cross-faculty collaboration.