Short answer
When designing for or with marginalized groups, actively seek to understand and amplify their authentic voices and experiences, rather than imposing external interpretations or aesthetic frameworks.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance (2023)
- Method
- Qualitative study using in-depth interviews.
- Sample
- 12 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
When non-disabled artists collaborate on projects focused on disability, their perspectives and artistic choices can unintentionally perpetuate ableist notions or aesthetically appropriate disability, rather than genuinely advancing disability aesthetics. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance. Using Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. with 12 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for or with marginalized groups, actively seek to understand and amplify their authentic voices and experiences, rather than imposing external interpretations or aesthetic frameworks.
Non-disabled artists can inadvertently reinforce ableism in collaborative arts projects.
When non-disabled artists collaborate on projects focused on disability, their perspectives and artistic choices can unintentionally perpetuate ableist notions or aesthetically appropriate disability, rather than genuinely advancing disability aesthetics.
Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Collaborations with disabled artists often confirm the non-disabled artists' existing artistic practices, moving away from a focus on the 'able-bodied' notion.
- 02Some beliefs held by non-disabled artists can reinforce ableist ideas and lead to the aesthetic appropriation of disability.
- 03Full development of disability aesthetics requires the removal of structural barriers faced by disabled performers in the mainstream.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for or with marginalized groups, actively seek to understand and amplify their authentic voices and experiences, rather than imposing external interpretations or aesthetic frameworks.
How to apply
When developing products, services, or artistic works that involve or represent disabled individuals, ensure that disabled people are central to the design and decision-making process, and that the work avoids aestheticizing or appropriating their experiences.
Project actions
- 01When researching user needs, ensure you are speaking directly to the intended user group, especially if they belong to a marginalized community.
- 02Critically analyze your own assumptions and biases when designing for diverse user groups.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides in-depth qualitative insights into the complex perspectives of non-disabled artists.
- +Highlights a critical issue in arts and disability collaborations that has broader implications for inclusive design.
Limitations
The findings are based on interviews with a specific group of artists in a particular region, so they might not apply to all creative contexts or user groups.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study provides rich, in-depth data but may have limited generalizability. The findings are based on self-reported perspectives, which can be subject to social desirability bias. The small sample size also affects generalizability.
Think critically
How can designers ensure that their engagement with themes of identity or marginalization in their projects is genuinely empowering and representative, rather than performative or appropriative?
Design Principles
"Authenticity in representation requires deep engagement with the lived experiences of the target user group."
Understanding how non-disabled creators perceive and engage with disability is crucial for fostering truly inclusive and equitable artistic environments. This insight highlights the need for critical self-reflection and a deeper understanding of disability aesthetics to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
What This Means for Your Design
Sometimes, people who aren't disabled might accidentally make things about disability seem 'cool' or 'interesting' in a way that doesn't respect the actual experiences of disabled people, or they might unintentionally keep old, unfair ideas about disability alive.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research and the potential pitfalls of design assumptions, particularly in projects involving diverse or marginalized communities.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need for designers to move beyond superficial engagement and actively dismantle their own potential biases when working with or representing marginalized communities. The study by Verbeke et al. (2023) demonstrates how non-disabled artists, despite potentially good intentions, can inadvertently reinforce ableist notions or aesthetically appropriate disability within collaborative arts projects. This underscores the importance of centering the voices and lived experiences of disabled individuals in the design process to ensure authentic representation and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Source
Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance
Disability aesthetics in Belgian arts and disability practices: a qualitative study from the perspective of the non-disabled, facilitating performing artists
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about non-disabled artists can inadvertently reinforce ableism in collaborative arts projects?
- When designing for or with marginalized groups, actively seek to understand and amplify their authentic voices and experiences, rather than imposing external interpretations or aesthetic frameworks. Evidence: Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance (2023).
- Why does "Non-disabled artists can inadvertently reinforce ableism in collaborative arts projects." matter for design?
- Understanding how non-disabled creators perceive and engage with disability is crucial for fostering truly inclusive and equitable artistic environments. This insight highlights the need for critical self-reflection and a deeper understanding of disability aesthetics to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for or with marginalized groups, actively seek to understand and amplify their authentic voices and experiences, rather than imposing external interpretations or aesthetic frameworks.
- What were the main findings?
- Collaborations with disabled artists often confirm the non-disabled artists' existing artistic practices, moving away from a focus on the 'able-bodied' notion.. Some beliefs held by non-disabled artists can reinforce ableist ideas and lead to the aesthetic appropriation of disability.. Full development of disability aesthetics requires the removal of structural barriers faced by disabled performers in the mainstream.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. with 12 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Research in Drama Education The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing products, services, or artistic works that involve or represent disabled individuals, ensure that disabled people are central to the design and decision-making process, and that the work avoids aestheticizing or appropriating their experiences.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on performing artists in Belgium, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings to other artistic disciplines or geographical locations. The perspectives are solely from non-disabled artists.