visual impairment) and neurodivergent (i.e. autism) disability experiences. Devising this project was about developing an accessible methodology to allow the at times non-vocal voice and experiences of CwDs to be unearthed. Our goal was to display these artworks in a museum. Since the first exhibition in 2019, the project has toured both Ireland and the UK, been shown in universities, regional art spaces and most prominently at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe. To date, we have engaged publicly with more than 3,000 people. The exhibitions have been powerful tools of public education, enlightening those unfamiliar with disability and marketplace accessibility on how disenfranchising and exclusionary the marketplace can be to CwDs. Visitors have been moved in extremely powerful and emotive ways by the artworks, as recalled by one male visitor: ‘[The exhibition] made me think how often do I look down, how often do I see a person in a wheelchair … how often do I acknowledge people in wheelchairs and people who differ from the “norm” – whatever that is? The truth is rarely, you have opened my eyes to something here ... I came in for a browse and to get out of the rain (laughs), yet I feel I have had something of an epiphany or an awakening – so thank you.’ Given such experiences, of which there were many, we knew that the artworks were special. They held a power that no textbook, academic article, presentation or educational video might translate. This was affirmed during the Marketplace and I exhibition at the Fringe, as several visitors all shared the same idea: ‘We would love for you to come and talk to my workplace and my colleagues, they’d learn so much.’ And we thought why not? Why not use the artworks to engage organisations in accessibility training? Since 2022, we have been using the artworks to offer organisations across the UK innovative, art-based accessibility training. At the core of this training are the artworks and the narratives of the artists – their lived experiences in commercial settings. We use the artworks to begin dialogue on accessibility and work actively with the organisations to develop tailormade short- medium- and long-term accessibility strategies. The importance of our research, our expertise and time spent studying accessibility is moot unless we activate change in the marketplace and to do that we need organisations to act. REALITY OVER REGULATION To date, we are working with more than 30 organisations including: The National Trust, Age Scotland, the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, WWT Martin Mere, The Grand Theatre, Lancaster City Council, Marketing Lancashire and Blackpool Transport. We are witnessing companies moving away from a mentality of regulation – wherein they think a ramp or lift, or a hearing loop system is sufficient – to genuinely reconsider the lived experience of disability and what that means in terms of accessibility. The training, to blow our own trumpet, is good. It is unique, built from lived experience, and it has helped organisations consider more prominently accessibility-related needs. We never advocate for thousands of pounds to be spent, instead we ground recommendations in simple but effective changes. For example, after our training companies are: • Improving their signage to be clearer and more accessible • Including alt text on the images on their communications • Offering quieter spaces, times, and events to allow not only neurodivergent, but aged, sensory disabled, and people suffering with mental health conditions time, space and commercially inclusive experiences These are just some examples. The last 30 years have shown that regulation alone is unable to instantiate appropriate levels of accessibility. The marketplace still has much work to do to adequately cater to those with disabilities. Barry’s is only one story among thousands of everyday exclusion. We know that in prioritising lived reality over regulations and minimum requirements, organisations are better able to ensure that future accessibility practices can meet the real needs of CwDs. FIFTY FOUR DEGREES | 25 Dr Leighanne Higgins is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Marketing. Dr Killian O’Leary is a Lecturer in the Department of Marketing. They lead the Marketplace and I project, which was initially funded by the Marketing Trust. The Marketplace and I offers free accessibility training workshops for organisations. Contact the authors for more information. l.higgins@lancaster.ac.uk; k.oleary1 @lancaster.ac.uk
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