Bow Arts Teacher Conference 2025: Workshop

We worked alongside A Particular Reality to deliver a workshop focused on rethinking and redefining the concept of the able body as part of the Bow Arts Art Teacher Conference 2025.

The session brought together educators with a strong grounding in pedagogy, and the discussions that emerged were thoughtful, generous, and critically engaged. Participants drew on their own teaching practices and experiences, contributing diverse perspectives on how ideas of ability are shaped, reinforced, and challenged within school environments.

A key area of discussion centred on language. Terms such as “disabled,” “differently-abled,” and “able-bodied” prompted mixed responses, with some participants expressing dissatisfaction with their limitations. One alternative that resonated strongly within the group was the idea of the “adjustable body,” a term that foregrounds flexibility, context, and support rather than fixed categories.

Working with educators consistently offers valuable insight, as each participant brings their own methods, frameworks, and ways of thinking into the space. These exchanges reinforce the importance of collaborative learning and reflective practice when addressing complex questions around bodies, access, and education.

Workshops like this continue to inform our wider research and practice, and we look forward to building on these conversations through future projects, workshops, and our ongoing podcast work.