A new and unique elective course, “Accessible Space,” was launched in March at the Architecture Institute of TTK University of Applied Sciences. The course focuses on accessibility from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Running until early May, its goal is to raise awareness of how people with different disabilities experience and use space.
The course is taught by fourth-year applied architecture student Erkki Koitla and interaction design master’s student Hendra Raud from Estonian Academy of Arts.
According to Koitla, the course combines theory and practice. “We have involved several guest lecturers in the teaching,” he explains. “In lectures, we explore how people with different disabilities—including those with visual impairments, blindness, hearing impairments, and mobility impairments—experience and use space.”
Raud, who uses a wheelchair, explains the practical side of the course: “As part of the studies, we also go into the urban environment, where we map accessibility issues in various public institutions. During the course, we develop solutions to improve these conditions—we design and build real accessibility improvements, such as ramps, threshold adjustments, and handrails.”
According to the Director of the Architecture Institute, Kaur Talpsep, the course is an important step toward more inclusive and informed spatial design. “Accessibility does not concern only people with disabilities and the elderly,” he explains. “It concerns all of us at times when we are recovering from trauma, such as a sports injury, surgery, or even a simple accidental fall. The course helps future architects understand and consider the needs of different users.”
The course is supported by ITAK Terviseabivahendid, which provides wheelchairs, allowing students to better understand the everyday challenges faced by people with mobility impairments.
A total of 21 students from the Architecture Institute—from first to fourth year—are participating in the course. Introduced as an elective for the first time this semester, it will also be offered again in the next academic year.
Activities and student experiences from the course can be followed on Instagram at @ratastooli_parkuur.
