Symposium | Critical Conversations: Art, Access & the Digital Now

Nat Lim is a creative technologist and disability arts practitioner dedicated to “Enabling Access, Nurturing Creators.” As Founder and Executive Director of A11Yverse in Singapore, she pioneers barrier-free ecosystems where disability arts meets Web3 technology. With an MFA from CalArts and extensive experience producing major festivals in Singapore, Nat has championed accessibility through groundbreaking works including the internationally commissioned, And Suddenly I Disappear… The UK/Singapore ‘d’ Monologues, she currently leads the world’s first A11Y IMPACT ACADEMY, empowering D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and atypical communities to thrive in the creator economy through innovative metaverse training programs that bridge disability arts practices with emerging technology. 

Dipl.-Ing.(FH) Andreas Reichinger studied media technology and design and is currently working on his dissertation on Visual Computing for Tactile and Auditive Senses at Vienna University of Technology. He is Senior Research Engineer at VRVis GmbH and was involved in over 15 national and EU-funded projects in the field of visual computing, ranging from object tracking, 3D data acquisition, modeling, rendering and virtual reality. Since 2010 he is working on inclusive design and he has created over 40 tactile interpretations of paintings, photographs and other works of art, shown at 20 museums and cultural instituations, helping especially blind and visually impaired people. His research interests include accessibility in art, 3D modeling, touch tool creation, 3D computer vision, computational photography and virtual reality. 

Karen, is the founder of Indepen-dance, Scotland UK (established in 1996), an organisation driven by the core principles of access, participation, and integration. As the Artistic Director, she provides a robust and imaginative framework, playing a pivotal role in the ongoing success and evolution of the company. With a background in social work spanning over 13 years within Strathclyde Regional Council, Karen developed her skills through various training programs focused on working with disabled individuals. Utilising dance, creative movement, music, Touch Trust, and Watsu, she firmly believes in the transformative power of these art forms, offering profound benefits to people of all abilities and ages, fostering social inclusion, and empowering individuals to realise their artistic potential to the fullest.

Sarah-Mace Dennis is an interdisciplinary creative leader with two decades of experience working internationally across the arts, education, screen and community engagement sectors. She has taught creative research & practice at Universities in Australia and the UK and collaborated with disabled talent in the creation of films, exhibitions and advertising campaigns for international festivals and brands.