DARCI Conference: Call for Papers

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We are delighted to announce that in September 2025 we will be hosting the Conference on Disability, Accessibility and Representation in the Creative Industries (DARCI) at the University of York (UK).



TABLE OF CONTENTS


Call for Papers

Wednesday 10th September – Friday 12th September 2025

School of Arts and Creative Technologies, University of York, York, UK

The arts are central to human experiences. However, lack of access to creative and cultural experiences, and to creative practice marginalises disabled people, and limits their representation. Moreover, most work on accessibility still occurs outside of the creative and technical workflows involved in creative productions, limiting opportunities for transformative collaborations among creators, accessibility experts and disabled audiences.

The Conference on Disability, Accessibility and Representation in the Creative Industries (DARCI) welcomes contributions that approach research and practice in the fields of disability, accessibility and representation from diverse perspectives. We welcome submissions from all areas of the creative industries, including theatre, film, television, music, gaming and interactive media more generally, as well as those linked to heritage and other cultural sites.

The conference will take place from Wednesday 10th September to Friday 12th September. Wednesday will be dedicated to pre-conference workshops and other events, whereas Thursday and Friday will be full conference days with a variety of activities.

Large building with lake in front of it.


Submission Guidelines

We are interested in research or industry paper presentations, posters, demos, panels, performances/installations and workshop proposals defined in the following ways:

  • Paper presentations (15 minute presentation + 5 min Q/A). Well suited for presentations that have findings and outcomes to share.
  • Lightning bolt presentations (5 minute presentation + a poster session for discussions). Ideal for work in progress.
  • Panel discussion (60 minutes) Panel proposals need to be submitted by the person chairing and organising them and should include an indication of the different panellists and the topic/s to be covered. Ideal for those wanting to engage in longer discussions on a topic and incorporate different perspectives.
  • Demo/Performance session: a non-traditional presentation that showcases approaches to accessibility and/or representation with a creative/technical piece. Length and presentation format will vary from piece to piece.
  • Pre-conference workshop (180 minutes): a workshop tailored for a smaller number of people in which participants get to learn about a specific topic in a hands-on manner. All workshops will take place on Wednesday 10th September.


List of Topics

The topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Accessibility strategies in the creative industries, including Audio Description, Captioning, Signing, Accessible Controllers and any other accessibility strategies.
  • Accessibility in different cultural contexts.
  • Immersive experiences and Inclusion.
  • Digital technologies and new methods for accessibility.
  • Practical and theoretical aspects of implementing new technologies.
  • Impact and importance of new technologies and methods to the field of accessibility.
  • New technologies as an aid to social inclusion.
  • Including end users and audiences in research and development projects.
  • Storytelling through sound in the context of accessibility.
  • Integrated access/accessible filmmaking.
  • Representation of disability in the creative industries, including all roles in the creative industries.
  • Intersectional representation of disability.
  • Environmental Sustainability and Accessibility.
  • Sensoriality in museums and their role in accessibility.

Submissions are through abstracts of no more than 300 words.

DARCI is a hybrid conference with opportunities to present both in person in York and online. You will need to indicate your mode of attendance at the point of submission.


Deadlines

Abstract submission deadline: 4th November 2024 5pm UK time.

Notification of outcome: By end of February.

Final submission deadline: 11th July 2025 5pm UK time.

Registration opens: 1st March 2025

Early Bird Registration closes: 30th June 2025 5pm UK time

All registrations close: 8th August 2025 5pm UK time


Types of Registration and Fees

In person

Standard Early Bird (before 1st July 2025)

£170

Standard (after 1st July 2025)

£200

*Concessionary Early Bird 

£85

*Concessionary (after 1st July 2025)

£100

Virtual

Standard Early Bird (before 1st July 2025)

£120

Standard (after 1st July 2025)

£150

*Concessionary Early Bird (before 1st July 2025)

£60

*Concessionary (after 1st July 2025)

£75

*Concessionary (students, retired, unwaged, low-waged)

Pre-conference workshops on Wednesday 10th September will cost £30 each and will include catering.


Submission Portal

Our submission portal is open. Click here to access the form.


Bursaries

We are pleased to offer two types of bursaries for presenters at the DARCI Conference. Our bursaries scheme is intended to support students and researchers who are facing financial barriers and who are D/deaf or disabled, and/or residents in a geographical area underrepresented in the fields of disability and accessibility, including Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. There are a small number of bursaries available, with presenters who are eligible being able to choose from one of two types.

Type 1: Registration Fee Bursary
This bursary covers the cost of conference registration fees only.

Type 2: Enhanced Support Bursary This bursary covers both the conference registration fee and travel expenses (to be agreed upon allocation of the bursary), including accommodation, for presenters who wish to attend in person. To support sustainable travel choices, we encourage applicants to consider rail travel options where possible. While we recognise that international travel may be necessary, our goal is to minimise carbon emissions and promote environmentally friendly practices. In cases where long-distance flights are required, we recommend online attendance as a more sustainable option.

We look forward to receiving applications for these bursaries and supporting presenters who will benefit from attending the conference. To apply for a bursary you will first need to make an abstract submission to the conference. Please submit your abstract through this portal. Once you’ve made your submission please apply to the bursary through this link.

Deadline to apply for a bursary: 18th November 5pm UK time


Conference Roles

Conference Committee

Reviewing Committee


Contact

If you have any questions please email enhancingad@gmail.com