You can invite people in and still design them out: Practising truly accessible participation

Accessibility isn't a checklist. It's not a slide at the start of a workshop. And it's not solved by inviting "the right users" into the room.

In this interactive session, we'll explore what happens when participation itself becomes inaccessible and how designing from the margins can drive systemic change management in accessibility - an approach that remains as rare as it is transformative.

Drawing on our work with the BBC to reshape digital accessibility across a complex organisation, we'll share how co-designing with colleagues who use assistive technology exposed invisible barriers in our own methods. From rethinking facilitation formats and decision-making rhythms to influencing governance, accountability and cross-team collaboration, accessible participation became a driver of systemic change, not just better meetings.

Participants will:

• Identify hidden exclusion baked into their own engagement formats
• Practise redesigning participation using a simple Head, Heart and Hands framework
• Explore how inclusive design can influence governance and decision-making across organisations

This session is practical, reflective and honest. We'll share what worked, what we got wrong, and what surprised us. 

Because democratising design isn't just about who gets invited to the dance. It's about who helps organise the party. 

Participants will leave with tangible adjustments they can apply straight away, and a fresh perspective on how designing for those most excluded can unlock better outcomes for everyone.