The pioneering initiative is the first of its kind in Spain and is run by the architect Enrique Rovira-Beleta, the course professor and an accessibility specialist. The course aims to raise future architects’ awareness of the barriers faced by people with reduced mobility. From the outset of a project, students learn to take the necessary measures to ensure accessibility in the buildings and spaces they design.

Defining his underlying philosophy, Rovira-Beleta said, “Incorporating accessibility criteria does not preclude the creation of buildings and spaces of high architectural, design and aesthetic quality. Accessibility benefits everyone, disabled and able-bodied alike”. He continued, “Through this course, we ensure that students identify the capabilities of disabled people and understand that accessibility is not just a necessity for people with disabilities, but is beneficial to everyone and can help improve the quality of their projects”.

The Accessibility course was offered for the first time as an elective subject in 2005, then became an optional subject in 2007. Four years ago, the course was promoted to a core subject. Alongside the Accessibility course, the ESARQ School of Architecture offers the online Postgraduate Programme in Accessibility and Design for All, thanks also to the support of the Adecco Foundation, the Salas Foundation, Válida sin Barreras (Able without Barriers) and Puntodis.