CONFERENCES
E&PDE 2026 - 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education
The Conference will bring together representatives from education and industry interested in sharing new perspectives on design education.
Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
ENGINEERING INCLUSION THROUGH TACTILE INNOVATION: CO- DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE URBAN MODELS FOR DISABLED USERS IN LAMBETH
Solly, Nicholas; Fishlock, Sam; Thompson, Matt; Cunningham, Amy; James, Lauren
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
ASU London; MP Smarter Travel
Page(s):
143 - 148
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
Many citizens are marginalised from making decisions that affect their lives, including urban planning, with disabled users often excluded due to how spatial information is presented. Typically, infrastructure decisions are made without adequate consultation with disabled users. This project, delivered in partnership with MP Smarter Travel (MPST) and TEDI-London, aims to revolutionise how disabled citizens engage with urban planning in the London Borough of Lambeth. Working with an Accessibility Working Group (AWG)—a diverse team of visually impaired, neurodivergent, and mobility-impaired residents—the project developed a system of interchangeable models that translate complex street and transport designs into accessible, tangible forms. Through an iterative co-design process, AWG members became collaborators rather than consultees. Their feedback shaped refinements in texture, colour contrast, feasibility, and ergonomics, producing a robust “kit-like” tool that enables users to physically build and critique real-world proposals. Using 3D printing, laser cutting, and embedded magnets, the models achieve a balance of precision, portability, and durability for project consultation. Key outcomes include empowering disabled people to actively implement change, creating a reusable model adaptable to user intentions, and demonstrating co-creation as essential for inclusive understanding and evaluation of urban design. Overall this project represents both an engineering innovation and a social intervention. By fusing human-centred design with technical excellence, it challenges ableist norms in design communication, amplifies underrepresented voices, and establishes a scalable framework for inclusive engagement—paving the way toward urban futures that are accessible for all.
Keywords:
