Design and Disability

Jerron Herman, a black man in a white cloth dress, dances in the middle of a seated crowd. He reaches his right hand up above his head and leans forward.

Design and Disability

Design and Disability programs are free for all visitors.

These programs invite participants to explore relationships between design and disability, centering disabled perspectives as essential to the future of inclusive and innovative design. Through lectures, panels, workshops, and community gatherings, these programs aim to highlight the work of disabled designers, and examines how disability can inform design practices, aesthetics, and systems.

Design and Disability programs are open to all who are interested in engaging with disability as a generative framework for reimagining access, function, and form. The program fosters dialogue around how design can reflect, support, and be shaped by disabled communities.

To sign up for the Design and Disability mailing list, email CHAccess@si.edu or call 212-849-8384.

Upcoming Accessibility Programs

To view all upcoming programs, view our Calendar.

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Generous support is also provided by the Smithsonian Institution’s Together We Thrive initiatives.