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Designing exhibitions that embrace the needs of disabled, D/deaf, and neurodivergent visitors is crucial to creating inclusive art experiences. Accessible exhibition design considers factors such as mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive function to eliminate barriers, ensuring that everyone can fully engage with and enjoy the exhibition experience.

This workshop introduces participants to the knowledge and practical tools for designing accessible exhibitions. Over two sessions, we will question assumptions about the 'average' art visitor and rethink traditional exhibition displays. Taking neuro- and bio-diverse people and experiences as a starting point, we will explore how accessible design not only fosters inclusivity but leads to innovative curatorial approaches.

Participants will learn how to integrate accessibility into their exhibition concepts and designs based on the following key points: accessible design, accessible content, accessible information, and accessible environment.

This will be a hands-on workshop with group activities and discussions of impactful case studies like ‘Being Human’ at Wellcome Trust, and ‘Layers of Vision’ at King's College London. Additionally, participants will develop an exhibition design concept that fosters meaningful connections between visitors and the art experience.

No prior knowledge of accessibility is required—just an open mind ready to explore new possibilities.


Video conferences on Friday, 19 January and 26 January, from 3pm to 7pm Berlin time CEST. Recordings will be available in case you miss a live session!

Session 1: Starting from difference: designing exhibitions with disabled people


  • How being a disabled person, and language offers valuable knowledge in designing accessible exhibitions.

  • Understanding co-design: Strategies for involving disabled people in the design, rather than ‘adding’ them in later.

  • Sensing differently: Creative approaches and prompts to designing exhibitions. For example, “if you can’t see, how would you engage with an exhibition?

  • Exercises to develop accessible design concepts based on different accessibility needs.


Session 2: Realising the exhibition: ensuring functionality


  • What is accessible design from a functional perspective?

  • Exploring the different elements of an exhibition design brief: display, information, environment

  • Introduction to ‘Disability gain’ and how we can learn from it

  • Designing the space: what makes for comfort, sociability and enjoyment?

  • Strategies for accommodating different body-minds

  • Exercises to address the different elements of an exhibition design brief
We will use Zoom for the live video conferences, please check Zoom's technical requirements here.


Live captioning will be available during the video conference.

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