Last week, Opole University of Technology hosted the Walking Seminar “Let’s Talk About Accessibility”, an event dedicated to the accessibility of public spaces, historic buildings, cultural institutions and the academic environment. The seminar brought together staff and students of Opole University of Technology, as well as representatives of partner universities within the KreativEU consortium.
The event was organised as part of the OUTech@KreativEU project: developing competences, mobility and synergy within the European University. Its format was based on directly exploring and analysing different spaces. Participants not only discussed accessibility, but also observed existing solutions and experienced selected barriers that people with disabilities may encounter in their everyday lives.
The seminar programme began at the Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, where participants were introduced to issues related to accessibility and jointly analysed solutions designed to create spaces that respond to the diverse abilities and needs of their users.
The group then visited Opole Zoo, where they explored the accessibility of recreational spaces and the ways in which they can be adapted to the needs of different users. The visit provided an opportunity to consider accessibility not only from the perspective of technical solutions, but also in terms of how spaces intended for leisure and recreation are organised.
An important part of the programme included visits to sites connected with cultural heritage. Participants visited the Opole Open-Air Museum of Rural Architecture and the District Museum in Nysa, examining how the preservation of historic structures and the presentation of cultural heritage can be combined with ensuring the widest possible access to museum facilities and offerings.
Particular attention was paid to the solutions implemented at the District Museum in Nysa, where accessibility features have been integrated into the historic structure of the building. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges involved in adapting historic buildings, as well as ways of balancing the preservation of their architectural value with the needs of contemporary users.
Another important part of the seminar was a visit to Moszna, where participants explored Moszna Castle, one of the most recognisable historic and tourist sites in the Opole region.
The visit provided an opportunity to learn about the history, architecture and surroundings of the castle, as well as to explore the accessibility of the tourist and recreational space. The programme also included activities focused on contact with nature, including forest bathing and outdoor relaxation activities.
This part of the seminar combined the exploration of the region’s cultural heritage with physical activity, regeneration and the integration of participants representing Opole University of Technology and its KreativEU partner universities.
Accessibility in the urban space of Opole was another important focus of the programme. Participants visited the Museum of Opole Silesia, where they had the opportunity to learn about solutions aimed at improving the accessibility of the institution and its offer.
The next part of the programme was a meeting at the Opole City Hall with the Accessibility Office. Mateusz Szpryngiel, Head of the Office, presented the city’s activities and solutions aimed at improving accessibility. The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about the perspective of local government and to exchange experiences related to creating a more accessible urban environment.
The theoretical aspects were then complemented by practical experience. During the City Tour, participants followed a route from Barlickiego Street to Plac Wolności, attempting to experience the urban space from the perspective of a blind person. They paid attention to obstacles, orientation within the space and the accessibility of information.
The next part of the exercise allowed participants to experience moving through the city from the perspective of a person with a physical disability. At Plac Wolności, they were able to experience some of the challenges associated with navigating urban spaces in a wheelchair.
The practical session was led by representatives of Niewidzialna Przestrzeń in Opole, a unique exhibition and experiential space where visitors can experience the world from the perspective of people who are blind. These activities allowed participants to confront their theoretical knowledge with direct experience of barriers present in the urban environment.
The event concluded with a Scientific Seminar held at Opole University of Technology. The meeting focused on research findings and experiences related to accessibility.
Research was presented by Justyna Kleszcz from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, as well as Dominika Matuszek and Żaneta Grzywacz from the Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy at Opole University of Technology.
The seminar also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences concerning accessibility solutions implemented at partner universities within the KreativEU consortium. The discussions made it possible to compare different experiences and practices and to reflect on opportunities for further developing accessible academic environments.
The meeting was hosted by Agnieszka Kosowska, Head of the Centre for Accessibility and Support for People with Special Needs at Opole University of Technology.
The event concluded with a ceremony during which participants received certificates and commemorative gifts prepared by Galeria Biały Kruk, operating within the Vocational Activity Establishment of the DOM Foundation. The gallery creates and sells handicrafts made with the participation of people with disabilities, thereby supporting their personal development and vocational activation.
The Walking Seminar “Let’s Talk About Accessibility” combined educational, academic and practical elements. The programme covered a wide range of spaces, from the university and cultural institutions to tourist and recreational sites and the urban environment.
The format of the event enabled participants not only to exchange knowledge and good practices between Opole University of Technology and its KreativEU partner universities, but also to directly experience selected barriers and limitations encountered in everyday life.
The event provided an opportunity to develop participants’ competences, build international relationships and discuss solutions that can contribute to creating more accessible spaces for all users.
The Walking Seminar “Let’s Talk About Accessibility” was organised as part of the OUTech@KreativEU project: developing competences, mobility and synergy within the European University.
The project is funded by the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 (FERS), as part of the NAWA project “Support for European University Alliances”, project no. FERS.01.05-IP.08-219/23.
