Disabled and design researcher: an unexpected relationship?

Abstract

This paper aims to start a conversation about rethinking design research environments and practices, As socially and physically accessible and engaging for design researchers with mixed abilities. We report a first-person account of how a design researcher can face physical and social exclusion in related environments. We recall several instances from a disabled design researcher's experiences in a design lab, in a design conference, and in the design research process itself. We recommend ways to transition design labs and research practices to more inclusive infrastructures and practices.