Roxy’s radar

Our brand new columnist Roxy Murray heads to the thought-provoking Design and Disability exhibition at the V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Design and Disability’ exhibition is more than just a showcase of objects, it’s a vital conversation about how we shape the world and who we shape it for.

From walking sticks to wheelchairs, from accessible clothing to communication tools, the exhibition highlights how design can both reflect and reshape the experiences of disabled people. Especially those living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

It asks us to consider a fundamental question – is our world built with us in mind?

As someone living with MS, the exhibition felt deeply personal to me. So much of my life with a MS diagnosis has revolved around problem-solving.

This includes navigating stairs, accessing public spaces, locating a toilet or finding clothing that is both stylish and easy to wear. This exhibition doesn’t just acknowledge those daily negotiations, it centres them.

The objects on display, whether they were high-tech innovations or simple, elegant solutions are evidence of the creativity that is born out of necessity, dignity, and resilience.

One particularly powerful moment was a spotlight on the disabled designers and co-creators, people who weren’t just users of accessible design but leaders in the design process itself. Showing the power of lived experience when paired with art and design can produce both beautiful and powerful pieces.

Disabled voices rang loud and clear at this exhibition. Nothing about us without us! This message echoed all through the collections, as well as being adorned on the walls with a beautifully crafted protest banner.

My favourite piece of the exhibition was a vibrant blue bench with white accents and writing that simply read “I Need More Time, Rest Here If You Agree.” It’s part of the ‘Do you want us here or not’ work by Finnegan Shannon.

And I can’t lie, I did take a moment to rest because we all know Fatigue and MS goes hand in hand so anytime I can sit for a moment I jump at the chance.

What I appreciated most was the way the V&A resisted the urge to fall into either inspiration or pity. Instead, the exhibition offers a nuanced, respectful celebration of disabled lives and the designs that support them.

It’s not about “overcoming” disability but about living fully with it and creating a world that makes that possible for all.

For the MS community, where mobility, fatigue, and fluctuating needs are part of our daily life, exhibitions like this affirm the importance of visibility and inclusion in all aspects of design from architecture and fashion to tech and public policy.

“Design and Disability” is a reminder that inclusive design isn’t a niche, it’s necessary. And when we design with disabled people at the forefront, we build a better world for everyone.

The exhibition is free and fully accessible and there are even days for quieter viewing for those that need it.

Design and Disability is on at V&A South Kensington from 7th June 2025–15th February 2026.

About Roxy

Roxy Murray is an internationally recognised advocate for disability rights, adaptive fashion, patient empowerment, and radical inclusivity. Living unapologetically as a pansexual woman with MS she uses her voice and platform to challenge systems and drive intersectional change.

In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Roxy was awarded an honorary doctorate as Doctor Middlesex University, a testament to her impact across health, fashion, and social justice spaces. She is also a proud member of the BBC 100 Women of 2024 and the Disability Power 100, celebrated for her fearless activism and visionary leadership.

Roxy is the founder and host of The Sick and Sickening Podcast. A raw, radically honest space that centres disabled and chronically ill voices, where lived experience meets advocacy, community, and pride.

A sought-after speaker, she shines on topics like neurodiversity, body positivity, sexual health, self-empowerment, allyship, and radical inclusivity.