Interdisciplinary Cooperation in Technical, Medical, and Social Sciences: A Focus on Creating Accessibility

Area of Science:

• Architecture
• Occupational Therapy
• Universal Design
• Interdisciplinary Studies

Background:

• College curricula often lack integrated education in Accessibility and Universal Design (UD).
• There's a growing need for housing adaptation and modification for elderly and disabled populations.
• The "Life Without Barriers" campaign highlights the importance of accessible living environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the experience of the interdisciplinary "Joint Architecture Initiative" (JAI) project.
• To demonstrate the benefits of collaboration between technical and health science students.
• To justify the necessity of interdisciplinary teams, including occupational therapy practice (OTP), in UD initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an inter-university, interdisciplinary project involving students from diverse academic backgrounds.
• Application of the human-environment-occupation model to project tasks.
• Formation of project teams comprising students from architecture, health sciences, and fine arts.

Main Results:

• Successful interdisciplinary collaboration between architecture and occupational therapy students.
• Development of practical solutions for housing adaptation based on Universal Design principles.
• Enhanced understanding of the role of occupational therapy in creating accessible environments.

Conclusions:

• Interdisciplinary education in UD is crucial for preparing future professionals.
• Collaborative projects like JAI effectively bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world needs.
• Integrating occupational therapy into architectural design processes significantly improves accessibility outcomes.