Design and Disability at the V&A: An Inclusive Exhibition You Need to Visit
Jennie Berry
|
Sep 19, 2025
The Sociability team recently visited the V&A Museum in South Kensington to experience their new exhibition Design & Disability, which runs from 7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026.
This is not just another exhibition. It’s a celebration of how Disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent communities have shaped design and culture, not just as users, but as leaders, creators, and innovators! What makes it truly special is that it’s told from the perspective of Disabled people themselves, making it much more authentic and inclusive.
What the Design and Disability Exhibition Covers
The exhibition is organised into three themed sections:
Visibility: exploring identity, art, and representation, with fashion, photography, and protest materials that challenge stereotypes.
Tools: showing how Disabled people adapt and redesign tools, tech, and everyday items, sometimes leading to innovations that benefit everyone.
Living: looking at activism, inclusive design for public spaces, and how we imagine more accessible futures together.
Across all three sections, you’ll see striking examples of creativity and resilience, from colourful costumes to inclusive gaming controllers. We won’t give too much away here, because it’s something that’s best experienced first-hand!
Design and Disability Exhibition Accessibility Information
One of the things that stood out most to us was how access is built into the exhibition itself. The V&A team worked closely with Disabled people to make sure it’s welcoming to as many visitors as possible. Features include:
A calm entry point with seating, so you can pause before exploring.
Multiple guide formats including large print, braille, easy read, sensory maps, and audio description.
BSL introduction video at the start of the exhibition.
Colour-coded zones with tactile features to clearly separate each section.
Sensory-friendly lighting designed to reduce overwhelm.
Plenty of seating throughout, so you can rest whenever you need.
A decompression space at the end of the exhibition for reflection or simply taking a break.
It felt refreshing to see these features not as add-ons, but as a core part of the design.
Our Reflections
For us, visiting Design and Disability was about more than just seeing objects on display. It was a reminder that design is not neutral, it becomes better, fairer and more innovative when Disabled people lead the way. The exhibition is both a celebration of what’s already been achieved and a call to action for what comes next.
After our visit, we were invited to the V&A’s café, where we met the curators behind the exhibition. And if you’re planning your own trip, we’ve mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance. (Link coming soon!)
Plan Your Visit To The Design and Disability Exhibition
Design and Disability runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington until 15 February 2026. Admission is £16, however, free tickets are available for Disabled people and a companion; regular member or inclusive access may apply.
If you’re planning your own trip, we’ve also mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance and plan your whole day from start to finish! Check out each of the eateries here: The V&A Cafe, The Garden Cafe, and the V&A Patisserie.
The Sociability team recently visited the V&A Museum in South Kensington to experience their new exhibition Design & Disability, which runs from 7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026.
This is not just another exhibition. It’s a celebration of how Disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent communities have shaped design and culture, not just as users, but as leaders, creators, and innovators! What makes it truly special is that it’s told from the perspective of Disabled people themselves, making it much more authentic and inclusive.
What the Design and Disability Exhibition Covers
The exhibition is organised into three themed sections:
Visibility: exploring identity, art, and representation, with fashion, photography, and protest materials that challenge stereotypes.
Tools: showing how Disabled people adapt and redesign tools, tech, and everyday items, sometimes leading to innovations that benefit everyone.
Living: looking at activism, inclusive design for public spaces, and how we imagine more accessible futures together.
Across all three sections, you’ll see striking examples of creativity and resilience, from colourful costumes to inclusive gaming controllers. We won’t give too much away here, because it’s something that’s best experienced first-hand!
Design and Disability Exhibition Accessibility Information
One of the things that stood out most to us was how access is built into the exhibition itself. The V&A team worked closely with Disabled people to make sure it’s welcoming to as many visitors as possible. Features include:
A calm entry point with seating, so you can pause before exploring.
Multiple guide formats including large print, braille, easy read, sensory maps, and audio description.
BSL introduction video at the start of the exhibition.
Colour-coded zones with tactile features to clearly separate each section.
Sensory-friendly lighting designed to reduce overwhelm.
Plenty of seating throughout, so you can rest whenever you need.
A decompression space at the end of the exhibition for reflection or simply taking a break.
It felt refreshing to see these features not as add-ons, but as a core part of the design.
Our Reflections
For us, visiting Design and Disability was about more than just seeing objects on display. It was a reminder that design is not neutral, it becomes better, fairer and more innovative when Disabled people lead the way. The exhibition is both a celebration of what’s already been achieved and a call to action for what comes next.
After our visit, we were invited to the V&A’s café, where we met the curators behind the exhibition. And if you’re planning your own trip, we’ve mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance. (Link coming soon!)
Plan Your Visit To The Design and Disability Exhibition
Design and Disability runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington until 15 February 2026. Admission is £16, however, free tickets are available for Disabled people and a companion; regular member or inclusive access may apply.
If you’re planning your own trip, we’ve also mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance and plan your whole day from start to finish! Check out each of the eateries here: The V&A Cafe, The Garden Cafe, and the V&A Patisserie.
The Sociability team recently visited the V&A Museum in South Kensington to experience their new exhibition Design & Disability, which runs from 7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026.
This is not just another exhibition. It’s a celebration of how Disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent communities have shaped design and culture, not just as users, but as leaders, creators, and innovators! What makes it truly special is that it’s told from the perspective of Disabled people themselves, making it much more authentic and inclusive.
What the Design and Disability Exhibition Covers
The exhibition is organised into three themed sections:
Visibility: exploring identity, art, and representation, with fashion, photography, and protest materials that challenge stereotypes.
Tools: showing how Disabled people adapt and redesign tools, tech, and everyday items, sometimes leading to innovations that benefit everyone.
Living: looking at activism, inclusive design for public spaces, and how we imagine more accessible futures together.
Across all three sections, you’ll see striking examples of creativity and resilience, from colourful costumes to inclusive gaming controllers. We won’t give too much away here, because it’s something that’s best experienced first-hand!
Design and Disability Exhibition Accessibility Information
One of the things that stood out most to us was how access is built into the exhibition itself. The V&A team worked closely with Disabled people to make sure it’s welcoming to as many visitors as possible. Features include:
A calm entry point with seating, so you can pause before exploring.
Multiple guide formats including large print, braille, easy read, sensory maps, and audio description.
BSL introduction video at the start of the exhibition.
Colour-coded zones with tactile features to clearly separate each section.
Sensory-friendly lighting designed to reduce overwhelm.
Plenty of seating throughout, so you can rest whenever you need.
A decompression space at the end of the exhibition for reflection or simply taking a break.
It felt refreshing to see these features not as add-ons, but as a core part of the design.
Our Reflections
For us, visiting Design and Disability was about more than just seeing objects on display. It was a reminder that design is not neutral, it becomes better, fairer and more innovative when Disabled people lead the way. The exhibition is both a celebration of what’s already been achieved and a call to action for what comes next.
After our visit, we were invited to the V&A’s café, where we met the curators behind the exhibition. And if you’re planning your own trip, we’ve mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance. (Link coming soon!)
Plan Your Visit To The Design and Disability Exhibition
Design and Disability runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington until 15 February 2026. Admission is £16, however, free tickets are available for Disabled people and a companion; regular member or inclusive access may apply.
If you’re planning your own trip, we’ve also mapped some of the on-site cafés on the Sociability app so you can check out their accessibility in advance and plan your whole day from start to finish! Check out each of the eateries here: The V&A Cafe, The Garden Cafe, and the V&A Patisserie.
