Expanding Accessibility by Alexandra

Expanding Accessibility by Alexandra - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

When I had the opportunity to visit my family in Poland this summer, I fell in love with Polish culture and historical architecture. However, when I visited my amputee grandmother, I immediately noticed how inaccessible many places, including their own homes, were to people with disabilities. When I returned home to the U.S., I began noticing similar issues in my community: poorly designed or nonexistent accessibility ramps, cramped public spaces, and separate or inconveniently placed entrances. Though accessible services are required on a state and federal level by the ADA under Title II, they often aren’t a priority, and end up becoming a nuisance for construction companies and business owners. Considering we’re all going to experience some sort of disability eventually, whether that comes with aging or other circumstances, I started to question why society avoids and hides accessible services. Since a society’s humanity stems from how it treats its weakest members, I hope to expand accessible architecture within my community and create spaces both able-bodied and disabled people share and enjoy through my college education and community connections.

In order to get foundational knowledge for my future designs, I plan on pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture. A degree in Interior architecture will allow me to understand the codes that protect public health and how to make a space functional and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, studying interior architecture will prepare me for the Council of Interior Design Qualification’s prestigious NCIDQ Examination. The NCIDQ Certification is recognized in all regulated jurisdictions in North America, which will allow me to implement my designs anywhere. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, I plan to pursue a Master of Architecture, where I will gain research experience and become a licensed architect. Through my extensive architecture education, I will be able to design both buildings and spaces with accessibility in mind.

While I get a college education which will allow me to design accessible spaces, I will also connect with people with disabilities to better adapt my designs to their needs. Even as a high school student working as a lifeguard, I discuss with many elderly patrons the issues around our neighborhood involving accessibility. In college, I am planning to volunteer within the community in order to get to know its members and their struggles involving inaccessible areas. Additionally, I hope to work with construction companies to prioritize implementing accessible services into a building’s primary planning.

Through my architecture education and community connections, I will be able to recognize issues involving accessibility and create aesthetically pleasing and practical solutions by working with construction professionals and fellow designers.