The Emancipatory Design Manifesto: Let's Suppose That Disability Does Not Exist

Area of Science:

• Design Studies
• Architecture Theory
• Philosophy of Technology

Background:

• Current design practices often rely on abstract concepts of universality.
• Critiques suggest these universal approaches may not adequately address diverse human needs.
• The concept of disability is frequently, and problematically, invoked in design and architectural discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and define Emancipatory Design (ED) as a novel conceptual framework.
• To critically examine the potential for design to create emancipatory effects in daily life.
• To challenge and reframe the concept of disability within design and architectural contexts.

Main Methods:

• The paper adopts the form of a manifesto, presenting a philosophical and historical exploration of ideas.
• It draws on philosophy and the history of ideas to critique existing design paradigms.
• Employs a provocative, disruptive, and experimental approach to relativize the notion of disability.

Main Results:

• Proposes Emancipatory Design (ED) as an alternative to conventional design thinking.
• Demonstrates how challenging the concept of disability can unlock new design possibilities.
• Offers a critique of the abstract universality often found in Universal Design (UD).

Conclusions:

• Emancipatory Design (ED) provides a framework for design that prioritizes human agency and lived experience.
• This approach contributes to Universal Design (UD) while offering a critique of its limitations.
• ED encourages a more nuanced and critical engagement with the relationship between people, design, and the built environment.