Towards slow learning spaces: a manifesto for design education

DS 59: Proceedings of E&PDE 2009, the 11th Engineering and Product Design Education Conference - Creating a Better World, Brighton, UK, 10.-11.09.2009

Year: 2009
Editor: Clarke, A, Ion, W, McMahon, C and Hogarth, P
Author: Boys, Jos
Section: INCLUSIVE DESIGN
Page(s): 570-575

Abstract

This paper outlines a series of projects bringing together disabled artists, architects and design students. Through collaborative work and debate, we have begun to develop new approaches and principles which aim to 're-locate' disability and design beyond simplistic notions of accessibility. The paper discusses an alternative concept - Slow Space - offered as having the potential to bridge across separate areas of socially responsive expertise such as inclusive design, sustainability and pedagogy, so as to make a bigger impact on mainstream activities in design education. It is argued that, to create a better world, we need to develop design approaches which are not just about 'helping the disabled', but which start from disability and difference in order to critique 'normal' design.

Keywords: Disability, architecture, inclusive design, disability arts, learning spaces, social inclusion

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