In the United Arab Emirates, Syrian graphic designer and software engineer Radi Charafli is revolutionizing the concept of inclusive design through digital art. Born with a motor disability, the 28-year-old creative professional has transformed his physical limitations into a powerful catalyst for reimagining accessibility in artistic and technological spaces.
Charafli recently served as both curator and featured artist for the groundbreaking ‘Dome of Inclusion’ initiative—an innovative architectural installation designed to challenge public perceptions of disability through multisensory engagement. The sustainable structure, composed of interlocking hexagons and pentagons, symbolized six core principles (collaboration, creativity, inclusion, empowerment, innovation, and unity) and five key disability areas spanning sensory to neurodiversity.
The artist’s journey into digital creation began at age 14 when diminishing manual dexterity forced a transition from traditional drawing to digital tools. ‘Digital design allowed me to create with precision that my hands alone could no longer achieve,’ Charafli explains. Now with over seven years of professional experience across Middle Eastern and European markets, he describes his work as ‘visual storytelling’ that inherently prioritizes accessibility.
Collaborating with fellow artists of determination Aldana Alhashmi and Ashar Hussain, Charafli transformed the dome’s empty structure into an immersive experience. His digital vectors were enhanced with 3D-printed elements specifically to accommodate visitors with visual impairments. ‘The main challenge was translating digital designs into physical tactile experiences,’ he notes, emphasizing that inclusive design must be foundational rather than supplemental.
As both software engineer and designer, Charafli practices what he preaches, utilizing AI and voice commands to navigate his digital world. ‘I don’t use my phone with my hands. These tools are essential, and designers need to think about them from the beginning of any project,’ he states, positioning the UAE as a global leader in this accessibility paradigm shift.
Beyond technical compliance, Charafli’s mission focuses on human dignity and changing perceptions. Through his artwork, he demonstrates that movement and strength transcend physicality, residing equally in mental and emotional realms. ‘Art can communicate messages that words sometimes cannot,’ he concludes, proving that creative expression knows no physical boundaries.