Disabled-led design and research studio. We put disabled knowledge and creativity at the centre, turning lived experience into methods that shape our collective futures through participatory research, iterative design, and access training.
Founded by Aksana Berdnikova, a visually impaired designer, researcher and creative practitioner with 13+ years in the creative sector, leading award-winning campaigns. She holds an MSc in Disability Design & Innovation from UCL, and has a research affiliation with Loughborough University London. She has delivered workshops with Able Zine, Creative Newham, and served on lived experience panels for Open Style Lab and Mima Group. Crip Works grew out of her research based on the voices of 78 disabled creative practitioners in East London. Read the outcomes of the research here →
01
Whose knowledge counts?
Disabled experience as expertise
We treat what disabled communities already know, and already do, as primary evidence.
02
Who decides?
Authors, not consultees
Disabled people shape the work and its outcomes, not just asked for feedback at the end.
03
What makes participation possible?
Access comes first
We work with everyone involved in the planning stage to address access needs before the work even begins.
04
How does it unfold?
Built around criptime
Disabled lives involve constant change. We plan around people’s pace and energy, and adjust as the work goes on.