The students of The European University of Lefke Faculty of Architecture have executed an application study on “Accessible Architecture” in regards to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The study was attended by the Chair of Cyprus Turkish Orthopedically Handicapped Association Günay Kibrit, Former Chair of Cyprus Turkish Orthopedically Handicapped Association Orkun Bozkurt, The Chair of Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects Azmi Öge, The Head of EUL Interior Architecture Erçim Uluğ, other members of the faculties and the students.

During the study, students have put emphasis on hardship and difficulties encountered by the handicapped persons on day-to-day basis. Thus the students have underlined the fact that the architectural constructions to be designed requires to be ergonomic in order to ease the lives of the handicapped individuals.

Following the study Kibrit, Öge and Uluğ have each conducted a speech concerning the study.

Kibrit: I believe that the awareness will be built for the disabled

   Kibrit underlined that their aim is to build empathy to the students of architecture for the disabled persons and the difficulties they encounter; thus for them to develop buildings in this sense hereafter. Kibrit also stated that  “I believe that those who will graduate and go back to their origins will be remembering us and design buildings suitable for the disabled.

Öge: The difficulties encountered by the handicapped was practically experienced

Öge underlined that due to the “Disabilities Week” an emphasis was made on the methods of contributing to the eliminating the obstacles and develop the awareness despite the fact that this shall not be only brought to the agenda once in every blue moon but must be defined as a life-long duty. Today in this sense we, together with the students of architecture and interior architecture have experienced the real time slope levels of the disabled access ramps. Thus the students have experienced the difficulties which are been encountered by the handicapped persons.

Uluğ: We place importance on “Accessible Design”

Uluğ emphasizing that the Faculty of Architecture placing an importance on the Accessible Design have also stated that “ at this point the our real duty as teaching staff is to further explain to our students about the accessible design in order to contribute to the future architects to apply this accessible design methods into their constructions.