Awareness Analysis After the Accessible Design Course: An Evaluation from the Student Perspective in Everyday Spaces

Accessibility is a key criterion determining urban space quality. Safe, comfortable, and accessible spaces are sustainable and functional. Livability depends on spaces designed according to “design for all,” considering diverse needs related to age, gender, and physical and mental characteristics. Integrating accessible and inclusive design into education is essential for developing professional competencies and social awareness. Students should move beyond theory, develop empathy, and generate innovative solutions. This study evaluates students’ awareness of universal design, accessibility, and barrier-free design principles within an undergraduate course. Students photographed indoor and outdoor spatial arrangements encountered in daily life that they perceived positively or negatively regarding universal design principles. The photographs were analyzed using content analysis based on universal design principles. Findings revealed that students primarily evaluated barrier-free spaces through physical accessibility and tangible spatial elements. However, higher-level principles, including simple and intuitive use, flexible use, and cognitive accessibility, received less attention.