On Tuesday, 10 June 2014, Válida sin barreras (“Able Without Barriers”) renewed its commitment to the UIC’s Postgraduate Programme in Accessibility and Design for All, which is run by the ESARQ School of Architecture and will celebrate its fourth anniversary in October. The signing of the contract renewal was attended by Albert Vila, the Commercial Director of Válida sin barreras; Dr. Pere Alavedra, the UIC Rector; and the architect Enrique Rovira-Beleta, who is the Director of the programme.

The programme is the first formal academic initiative to take a comprehensive approach to exploring accessibility and place it within a cross-cutting framework. It is of great value in helping to ensure that design for everyone is both universal and versatile, given that accessibility requirements vary from country to country.

“This course is an opportunity to discover the abilities of the disabled and to show that accessibility is advantageous for all citizens, not just a necessity for the disabled”, said Rovira-Beleta. The programme aims to develop a standardized design for all that can make cities, buildings, homes, transport networks and communication systems convenient and safe for everyone, especially those with reduced mobility and/or communication skills.

The programme, which combines theory as well as practical elements, comprises virtual, interactive work sessions that enable students to study from anywhere in the world and communicate with teachers from a number of different countries. The teaching staff includes professionals of renowned prestige, drawn from the various sectors related to the field of “design for all”, and representatives of organizations for the disabled and institutions that offer services related to universal accessibility. For information on enrolment, please contact postgrado@uic.es.