Register / RSVP: https://bit.ly/lightning-bites-accessibility

This CityLabs Lightning Bites series features short, impactful talks from diverse perspectives, addressing the critical challenges and opportunities in promoting accessibility and inclusion practices.

SESSIONS:

Monday March 17:

• 13:00-13:30: Loïc SAUVAGE, University of Liege 

  The difference between accessibility, integration and inclusion. Why this distinction is essential as a first step towards an inclusive university policy.

  
  

  The construction and management of institutional policies is contingent upon the establishment of clearly defined objectives, which are essential for the effective implementation and achievement of the desired outcomes.

   

  The policies aimed at facilitating the inclusion of individuals with disabilities are not an exception to this overarching principle. However, the term 'inclusion' is often misunderstood and poorly defined.

   

  This brief presentation aims to address the crucial distinction between accessibility, integration and inclusion of people with disabilities, while also highlighting the components of inclusion. It will also further discuss the reasons why the latter concept is a more desirable, sustainable and less costly objective.
  
  
  

• 13:30-14:00: Birce Altıok, Koc University:  
  How Institutions Practice Diversity: International Students and Inclusion Across Higher Education. 

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• Higher education institutions worldwide increasingly emphasize diversity and inclusion in their internationalization strategies. Yet, the ways in which they translate these commitments into practice vary significantly. This talk explores how institutions in Türkiye implement diverse inclusion practices for international students, highlighting both promising models and persistent challenges based on a nationwide study conducted between 2022 and 2024. A key focus will be on the crucial role of student voices in shaping meaningful inclusion efforts. While policy frameworks often set ambitious diversity goals, the gap between policy and practice remains a critical challenge. However, this gap is not insurmountable—through strategic coordination, data-driven decision-making, and realistic institutional goals, universities can create more inclusive environments that go beyond symbolic commitments. By bridging institutional strategies with student experiences, this talk will offer insights into how higher education institutions can move toward more effective and sustainable diversity and inclusion practices.

Tuesday March 18: 

• 13:00-13:30: Aneta Pawłowska, Magdalena Górska, Adam Drozdowski, University of Lodz: 
  The role of the Institute of Art History at the University of Lodz in the promotion of activities in the area of the inclusivity of culture and art
  
  

• « The Institute of Art History at the University of Łódź promotes inclusivity in culture and art by developing audiodescription methods and accessibility tools for people with disabilities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, its research and projects, such as Excluded/Included and Friendly City, enhance mobility and cultural engagement for visually impaired individuals, making Łódź a more accessible and inclusive city.

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• 13:30-14:00: Maroun Tabbal, University College Cork: 
  Universal Design in the Curriculum: At the Heart of Learning

  
  

  This presentation explores Universal Design as the foundational gateway to meaningful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in architectural education, positioning it not as a constraint but as core to architecture's mission to serve humanity. Drawing from current challenges in architectural education and practice, the talk examines how Universal Design (UD) principles can transform curriculum development and community engagement.

  
  

  We face critical challenges: our built environment remains underinclusive of human diversity, economic models widen circles of exclusion, and our aging society demands fresh inter-generational thinking. Despite disability being a normal part of the human condition affecting 20% of the population, design education often maintains an outdated focus on narrow client needs and limited site boundaries.

  
  

  The presentation will outline an educational response that shifts from singular client-site thinking to broader society-ecology design approaches. This includes emphasizing future life contingencies in understanding client needs to include addressing building occupants and their neighbourhood, integrating Universal Design principles across the curriculum, and developing inclusive design competencies in future architects. The approach creates inclusive spaces that reflect diverse human conditions, fosters social cohesion, and builds resilient, adaptable environments for future generations.

  
  

  The talk will detail practical implementation strategies across design studio and technical modules, focusing on adaptive solutions and long-term social impact. The goal is to expand future architects' capacity to consider broader client needs and future adaptability to changing life circumstances. This educational transformation aims to produce graduates who can apply Universal Design principles across project scales, understand the social implications of design decisions, and create inclusive environments that enable all community members to flourish.
  
  

Wednesday March 19:  

• 13:00-13:30: Robin Bleser, Ruhr University Bochum:
  Taking up space: Autism, Accessibility and Obstacles from a Student Perspective

  
  

  This short input will focus on the subtle difficulties that autistic students may face on a daily basis. Which everyday situation might present challenges and what could support look like.

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• 13:30-14:00:  Björn Frauendienst, Ruhr University Bochum:
  Built to change – Strategy and structures to establish better study conditions for people with disabilities at RUB

  
  

  With a funding opportunity provided by a thematic program of our federal state, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) has been able to work on improving the study conditions for students with disabilities/chronic illnesses with various focuses since 2021. Our work is based on an inclusion strategy for studying and teaching, developed during the first project phase and adopted by the RUB Rectorate and Senate in summer 2023. Goals were defined, new structures established and accompanying measures initiated.

  The presentation will provide a brief overview of the genesis of the strategy, the successes and challenges associated with the strategy as well as the current activities. This should create a basis for constructive exchange and, if possible and desired, provide an impulse for networking initiatives with the goal of an “inclusive university” at the various UNIC universities.

  
  

Register / Sign up here: bit.ly/lightning-bites-accessibility