A Story by Analía

limited accessibility for a day in Germany

“I had the opportunity to go on a student exchange in Berlin, Germany. One of the subjects I took was about designing a project that gave a lot of importance to the accessibility of the whole building. To make us more aware of how to make an inclusive design, we did an exercise of putting ourselves in the shoes of people with different disabilities. We had to go through the city center of Berlin with limited accessibility, and walk blindfolded to understand, even for a few minutes, what it is like to navigate the city as a blind person, with earplugs so we can hear less, or not hear at all, with walkers and with wheelchairs. We had to go on the sidewalks, cross the street, go to the supermarket, and even take a train. I learned how to cross a street without seeing, by hearing the sound of the traffic light, I also learned how to use a wheelchair, it was my first time on one, and it is much harder than it seems. You need a lot of arm strength to go up ramps, and if the sidewalk material is not flat, it is difficult to just go on it. 

I consider that this experience was very enriching because many times as architects we are not aware in our designs of what obstacles there may be in cities or buildings that are excluding people from being able to use them.

I did this with a group of 10 people, and it was very difficult for me, I can't imagine someone doing this alone. Whether it is going up a curb on a ramp or being able to walk without seeing, it is very difficult and dangerous if there is no design to facilitate these tasks.

I think the goal is for people with disabilities to be independent and free to move around the city and buildings freely and safely without needing another person by their side.

I also consider that it is very important that architects have even a minimal notion of what it is like to use a wheelchair or walk without being able to see or hear, since many times we imagine that just by making a ramp to overcome a height we are already compliance with inclusion in the building, but in reality it goes beyond that, and a global project would have to cover all the needs.

I understand that just because I went through the city on a day with limited accessibility it’s not even a little bit what disabled people have to face every day and without anyone’s help, but at least this exercise helped me become a little more aware of the situations they face daily, and we, as architects, definitely have to take this into account when designing our projects”