Projects

Design Futures for Disability Justice: Co-design & Upskill with Ealing Disabled Community 

Design Futures for Disability Justice: Co-design & Upskill with Ealing Disabled Community 

The Design Futures for Disability Justice project engaged disabled creative communities in Ealing to campaign for inclusion in the art and design sector. In collaboration with disabled-led arts organisation filmpro, the project consisted of three transformative upskill labs, held at the University of West London Ealing campus in May 2025. 

Leveraging methodologies from filmpro’s previous work in Lambeth, the project sought to co-design the co-design process itself, exploring new methods and approaches to actively shape the future. By engaging the participatory design framework for innovation in co-design, disabled artists/activists were recruited through an open call.

These sessions facilitated the exploration of speculative design processes, enabling participants to express their voice and use art and design as a tool for social change.

The collaboration between Dr. Isil Onol and filmpro brings together extensive experience in disability justice and arts, creating a balanced and effective partnership. The project reached individuals whose voices are rarely heard, nurturing and enhancing their skills to influence significant design decisions and advance accessibility.

This is a high-angle, distorted shot looking down into a cluttered and narrow space, likely a room or a section of a room. The perspective creates a sense of being squeezed in or looking into a very cramped area. On the left, there's a wooden structure made of light-colored chipboard, possibly shelving or part of a built-in unit. It holds various items: cans of paint, what looks like a small wooden bowl, and other indistinguishable objects on shelves. The floor of the space is barely visible, but there's a jumble of items scattered across it. A light-colored electric guitar with a black pickguard is prominently featured in the center, lying amidst other objects. Near the guitar, there are small containers, tools, and what appears to be a piece of wood with a rough, natural edge, possibly a log or a decorative piece. To the right, there's a dark curtain hanging, and beyond it, a wall with some electrical outlets or switches. Further to the right, another wooden structure, similar to the one on the left, holds clear plastic containers with blue lids, stacked neatly. A clamp or vise is attached to this structure, suggesting a workspace. The overall impression is one of disarray and a lack of open space, with items piled and scattered, making it feel like a workshop or storage area that is very full.
Photo by: Biliby Iwai 'Room to Manouvre (Cramped)'

This image is a handwritten brainstorm or mind map on a light blue sheet of paper, similar to the previous one. The title "INSPIRATION" is written in large, bold pink letters at the top, with "SIGNPOSTING" in smaller pink letters to its right. The rest of the page is covered with words and phrases, seemingly related to social justice, disability rights, and political issues, written in a mix of black, light blue, pink, and yellow ink. Key phrases and words visible include: Black Ink:** "how do you navigate" "70% of pip tribunals" "cuts to criminal compensation" "government are violating humans rights" "Loneliness" "make politics easier to understand" "not represented in government" "STOP ALIENATING" "LIVED EXPERIENCE" "Language upholds heirachy" (likely "hierarchy") "WASTING money on pip tribunal" "cutting access to work" "workplace discrimination" *Light Blue Ink (mixed in with black):** "replace" (near "government") "rule in the claimants" "support" "policing bodies / ableism" "discrimination" "PANDEMIC" "PEOPLE" "ACADEMIA" "over" (near "people") Pink Ink (smaller, scattered):** "MESSY" (near "burnout?") "from" (below "MESSY") Yellow Ink (smaller, scattered):** "disability rights movement" "activist burnout?" "CENSORED PERSONAL STORIES" "I DANIEL BLAKE" (likely referencing the film *I, Daniel Blake*) "FIGHTING WITHOUT WEAPONS" Day 1: Cass Love & Maedb Joy (Co-facilitators)

Introduction to Co-design, Inspiration and Storytelling

Day 2: Jon Rees

Day 3: Helena Traill

A Design thinking approach to Creative Justice Environment in West London

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