Makerspaces stand for creativity, technology and shared learning - but many people with disabilities, neurodiverse people or people with other access barriers still encounter barriers that make active participation difficult. For this reason, the Stadtfabrikanten are offering a workshop.
The aims are to visualise the challenges and perspectives, share experiences and best practices, develop concrete steps for more accessibility (especially for the urban economy) and rethink spaces and tools - for more openness, diversity and participation.
The event is aimed at everyone: makers, initiatives, organisations, professionals, interested parties. No prior knowledge is required!
Background: The Stadtfabrikanten from Chemnitz undertook a workshop exploration trip to France in spring 2025 with the aim of identifying makerspaces that have experience in the field of inclusion and creating accessibility. Experienced pioneers will come to Chemnitz for the workshop, share their knowledge and develop new solutions together with committed local people.
Programme:
17.7.2025, 17:00 - 19:00: Making an inclusive future yourself!
Information and exchange evening on inclusive makerspaces
Speakers:
Hugues Aubin, co-founder of My Human Kit from Rennes in France. The FabLab is a human lab, a laboratory, a workshop for people. It invites people with disabilities to become the centre of their own project, i.e. to transform their disability into motivation. They are invited to participate in solving their problem and to put together a team that utilises the combined power of solidarity (All Together), DIY (Do It Yourself) and digital manufacturing (FabLab).
Mario Voigt, CEO of Stadtfabrikanten and founding member, and Babette Sperling (fashion designer) have been involved with FabLab Chemnitzer for many years and talk about aha-moments, inspiration and role models they met on the workshop trip.
Moderation: Maik Jähne, Board of the Association of Open Workshops and SLUB Makerspace team
Registration requested via e-mail: Maik.Jaehne@stadtfabrikanten.org
Location: Event hall of the Stadtwirtschaft, Jakobstraße 46, Chemnitz
18.7 - 20 July 2025 Workshop: Build your own BrailleRap
10:00 to 18:00
BrailleRAP. This is a machine that can convert various graphic formats/files into Braille patterns using software. In this way, visually impaired and blind people with explanations can feel various shapes much better. This tactile experience makes it possible, for example, to feel the shapes of plants, a child in the womb or various hiking maps. With the device, which is based on open source hardware and can be built by anyone, you can create such tactile things very quickly, easily and cheaply using simple sheets of paper. Images, graphics, maps and even mathematical functions can be made tactile. The highlight: anyone with a little skill can build and use these machines themselves.
Registration: Maik.Jaehne@stadtfabrikanten.org
Location: FabLab Chemnitz, access via Schüffnerstraße 1, Chemnitz
About Stadtfabrikanten e.V.: The association runs FabLab Chemnitz, an open hands-on workshop in Chemnitz - also known as Karl-Mach-Stadt. The workshop provides access to knowledge, tools and methods of digitally supported and analogue production. The focus is on topics such as machine-controlled production, traditional craftsmanship and technological issues in a social context. The FabLab serves as a space for joint development, screwing, tinkering, testing, experimenting and combining.
As an active part of the maker community, FabLab Chemnitz is active in a wide range of material-related areas - including 3D printing, wood and metalworking, plastics processing, textile design, electronics, analogue and digital technologies - and everything in between or beyond.
Further information: stadtfabrikanten.org
Notes on accessibility :
Assistance dog welcome - it is possible to bring an assistance dog.
Wheelchair accessible. There is a lift. A ramp is available for access to the wood workshop.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us in advance at Maik.Jaehne@stadtfabrikanten.org
The workshop is supported by the Makers, Business & Arts project at the Landesverband der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Sachsen e.V. A project within the framework of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. This measure is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament, by federal funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and by funds from the City of Chemnitz. The project Inklusive Zukunft selbst machen by Stadtfabrikanten e.V. is supported by the Franco-German Citizens' Fund.