Join us for the fifth annual Austin Design Week!
About this Event
What Designers Need to Know About Disability
Presented by: Natalie La Flare
First, we'll start with a workshop to better understand definitions of disability, and how design has a profound impact.
Then, we'll get acquainted with the Social Model of Disability and Symbolic Interactionalism of Sociology, two scholarly terms used in an analogy of disabled people's lives and accommodations.
But what does this mean to designers? The work we do must be rooted in embracing the people who use them - many of whom face barriers created by design. This will include testimonials of people who identify as being disabled, whose direct experience with thoughtful design has has an impact on them in everyday life.
Facilitator:
Natalie La Flare , UX Developer
Natalie is a disability rights activist and avid design & code enthusiast. From personal experience, she realized that she could no longer hide her disability when using a mobility scooter her freshman year in college. Rather, that the scooter, and other symbols of disability were not an enemy, but inaccessible infrastructure & people's ignorance that can act as barriers. Disability has a long and rich history - one that often people do not get taught but still benefit from the strides of past activists and progress. This shift towards inclusion has gone unnoticed by many, including parents using strollers and bicyclists using curb cuts. People with disabilities play a vital role in provide a missing link when it comes to creating innovative and flexible design that grants people choices to thrive.
Event Details:
You’ll be emailed instructions for how to join the event at least 48-hours prior to the event start time.
Austin Design Week is committed to a harassment-free event experience for everyone. Our Code of Conduct can be found here. We are also committed to creating an inclusive, accessible space. All virtual events will have automated captioning. If you need additional accommodations, please email us at [email protected] to let us know.
For the full Austin Design Week schedule, check out austindesignweek.org.