Nothing about us without us
Disabled people are the experts on their own experience. We favour participatory approaches that keep their voices at the center driving everything we do.
Accessible themed environments through design, driven by research.
IEDRI is a community-driven nonprofit institute, dedicated to advancing inclusion within themed environments through research, education, and design. We create, support, and freely share innovative and rigorous research and resources related to inclusion, accessibility, and equity for the design and development of themed experiences, from blue sky to operations.
Why this exists
What we are trying to change
Access work often starts after the design is finished, when the cheapest option left is a sign or a separate entrance. The useful research happens long before that point. We want disabled people leading those studies, with the authority to set the question in the first place.
How we work with organizationsDesign for one, better for all
According to work in Universal Design, improving experiences for the specific needs of disabled people often facilitates a better experience for everyone.
Everything we publish is free
Small organizations and early career designers have the least budget for this work, and the most to gain from it, so our research and plans are always open access.
Programs
What the institute will do
None of this has launched yet. Each program below is in planning, and we are looking for the people who want to help start it.
Conference and seminars
An annual conference, and free online seminars that put researchers, designers, operators, and disabled guests in the same conversation.
About the eventsIEDRI Press
Open-access peer reviewed and edited research publications.
About the pressConsulting and training
Access reviews, participatory research, and training for organizations that want this built into how they work from the first sketch onward.
About the servicesWhere things stand
IEDRI is registering as a nonprofit and planning its first seminars. If you would like to speak at a seminar, propose a design concept, or work with us on a study, this is a good moment to write to us.
Follow the work as it starts
We will send occasional updates when seminars, calls for submissions, and new publications are announced.
Email contact@iedri.org and we will add you to the list.