Design and Disability

Disability is a culture, not a subject matter to be ‘solved’ or ‘cured’ by design. In this new exhibition 'Design and Disability', the V&A seeks to shows how disabled, d/Deaf, and neurodivergent people have designed everyday life through their own experience and expertise. It also looks at the influence this has had on the worlds of fashion and textiles, graphic design, photography, furniture, architecture and film.

To mark the first day of the exhibition opening to the public, the curator and contributing designers will take to the stage at the Great Exhibition Road Festival to discuss some of its overarching themes. They will also highlight design narratives that demonstrate how disabled communities have taken up space and represented themselves in the ways they want to be seen, which have often been historically denied to them.

Visitor information

Talks and discussions are intended for an adult audience and are best suited for ages 16+.

This event is one of the Art of Science talks, and there will be advance tickets released for this event closer to the Festival weekend. 

If you have an advance ticket, please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as this is a free event we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk.

To see the precise location of where this talk is taking place, you can use what3words.com with the code 'zealous.older.medium'. The lecture theatre is inside the V&A, accessed via level 2, please use the stairs or lift by the V&A cafe.

This event has step-free access.

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first look at the programme, and opportunities to book free tickets for popular events.

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