Latest news with #BeyondBarriers
ABC News
16-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Beyond Barriers exhibition proves accessible, inclusive design is about much more than just 'compliance'
As someone who navigates the world using a wheelchair, the inaccessibility of public spaces is something I'm all too familiar with. It's a barrier I have to consider every time I travel, socialise outside my house, or go somewhere for work. It's part and parcel of the mental load I carry as a physically disabled person, and it means my every move has to be meticulously planned and prepared for. The list of ways a space can be inaccessible is frustratingly endless. Stairs. Gutters. Uneven terrain. Gaps between a platform and train. Narrow doorways or hallways. No lifts to bathrooms. And on and on it goes. Pushing for change in how society tackles accessibility is one of the major cornerstones of my work as a disability advocate. And the main issue I've found in all these years? People's attitudes; the way businesses and organisations value the "worthiness" of adapting a space when faced with things like cost or the amount of work it might take. "Far too often, accessibility is treated as a compliance issue rather than a creative and innovative design opportunity," says Tim Wilson, director of Folk Architects. As part of Melbourne Design Week, his organisation has teamed up with the Public Record Office Victoria to create Beyond Barriers, an exhibition showcasing the history and ingenuity of the disabled community throughout Melbourne and Australia. It gives space and voice to individuals and movements long overdue for recognition. The exhibition's goal is simple: to challenge and remove some of the stigma associated with making things accessible. It makes the case that inclusive and universal design benefits everybody. And it offers proof. The recent redesign and renovation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct — encompassing various creative institutions in the CBD — is an example of the city positioning itself as a leader in accessible design of public spaces. Nick Morris is an independent consultant on universal design, accessibility in infrastructure, operations and events, and has been involved in the precinct's design. He also happens to be a Paralympian. "True accessibility is looking at how an environment is designed, doing our best to remove barriers and making sure that the public has a seamless experience no matter what their accessibility needs," he says. Across his decades of experience in the industry, Morris has advised on everything from commercial buildings to The Great Wall of China and multiple Olympic Games. He was involved in the Arts Precinct Project and is keen to make clear that, in designing the space, the team really did try to consider everybody and everything. That includes people with physical disabilities, and also those who are neurodivergent or who live with sensory issues. It also includes parents, the elderly and women who might be moving through the precinct at night. I'm ashamed to say that hadn't even crossed my mind when it comes to accessible design, but that's why discussions about universal design are so important. "Little things matter and make a difference to people's experience," Morris says. "Everything from lighting and how frequent or intense it is to signage, wayfinding and pathways, bathrooms, quiet areas, benches, places parents could take unsettled children to calm down, literally anything and everything we could think of." Folk Architects engaged people from a wide range of communities and walks of life, using their lived experience and knowledge to inform the Beyond Barriers project, something Wilson hopes will become the norm in public architecture and construction projects moving forward. "It's an important way to signify that everyone is welcome in a space and deserves to enjoy it," he says. I've experienced first-hand that when these things are considered too hard or expensive, it sends a painful message to people with disabilities that our existing out in the world doesn't really matter." As is often the way, when it comes to accessibility and equity in this country, we've made a lot of progress but we still have a long way to go. Here's hoping the exhibition does what it can to move the needle forward. The Beyond Barriers exhibition talk and panel is on at 5.30pm, Wednesday, May 21 as part of Melbourne Design Week, May 15-25.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Goodwill unveils program to help young neurodivergent adults
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD) — Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois unveiled its new employment program to help young adults who are neurodivergent find jobs. The new program, Beyond Barriers, took about two years to put together. Now the program will help these individuals find support like resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, job search assistance and more. Lori Johnson, the director of program services with Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, said, 'Our mission at Goodwill is to transform the donations we receive into life and job skills and education services for those in our community in need. And by that, we will help our community prosper.' According to Austyn Harms, the Beyond Barriers program manager, the goal of the program is to help employers and the organization's clients find the best fit. She said Beyond Barriers will help 'anyone that is willing and motivated to find employment.' Harms said, 'Some of our clients have never had any type of work experience. They've never done any type of volunteer work. So really, they're starting from the very beginning with their employment journey.' She added, 'Things that are very common to us are not so common to some of the clients, like leaving an interview and shaking a hand and making that direct eye contact that employers look for those types of things, but not everyone knows to necessarily do that.' Breaking Barriers connects with many organizations and schools in the area to help young adults overcome roadblocks, gain the skills they need, and receive support. This way, the organization can help young adults with autism and other neurodivergencies navigate the next step in their lives. 'The most important takeaway is just that everyone is capable of learning and capable of getting all opportunities,' Harms added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
