Access denied: Navigating the city with safety, dignity and joy

Wednesday 29 October 2025

Jordan Whitewood-Neal

Co-Founder and Design Think Tank Co-Lead
Dis and London School of Architecture

Christopher Laing

Founder
Deaf Architecture Front

Gobi Ranganathan

Principal Engineer
NRP (Norman Rourke Pryme)

Tricia Smikle

Head of Programmes
RNIB

Eliza Grosvenor

Head of Public Programme

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In 2008, TFL introduced priority seating to support pregnant women, Disabled people and older customers. In 2023, RIBA introduced the Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, to ensure inclusion is considered at every stage of the design and construction process. But despite these milestones, why can’t Disabled and Deaf people freely navigate the city, with comfort, ease and joy, and why, in an aging society and growing number of Disabled and Deaf people, are our urban environments still lagging behind or placing sole emphasis on active travel and design features that exclude, not include.

This event starts with the lived experience of Disabled and Deaf people, and the barriers frequently faced when it comes to navigating our cities, buildings and public spaces, and how the actions we can take to do better as an industry. Together, we’ll explore the impact of creating genuinely inclusive spaces, what happens when inclusivity remains an afterthought and how better design decisions for Disabled and Deaf can benefit everyone using our city.

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