Who is responsible for ensuring that a newly built environment is accessible? Is it the commissioner, who should clearly define accessibility requirements and expectations? The architect, who should design accessible solutions down to the details? The builder, who implements the planned solutions to specification? Or all of us, because accessibility must be treated as a core solution, not a special one?

This conference does not focus on inspirational stories or empathy. We will talk practically about how the decisions are made that determine whether a building is comprehensively accessible or not. We will define each party's role and responsibility in creating an accessible environment. We will examine the current and upcoming requirements, and how to systematically involve accessibility experts throughout the entire process — so that the finished building serves the widest and most diverse range of users possible.

Details on the event:

Name: AccessibleEU Estonia - How to Create Accessible Architecture. From Commissioning to Design (26-NW-EE-01)
Start: 2026-03-24T08:30:00
End: 2026-03-24T14:30:00

Target audience: Architects, architectural firms, designers, public and private sector clients, procurement specialists, local authorities, developers, policymakers, accessibility experts, and representatives of disability organisations.
When: Tuesday 24 March 2026. 9.30 – 15.30 EET
Format: Onsite
Where: Ülemiste Conference Centre, Conference room “Supernova". Valukoja 8, Tallinn. Estonia
Type of event: Networking
Language: Estonian
Accessibility information: Accessible venue. Live captioning and sign language interpretation in Estonian
How to participate: Free registration

architecture | building industry | inclusion
Tuesday 24 March 2026, 09:30 - 15:30 (EET)

Country

Estonia

Programme

24 Mar 2026, 09:30 - 15:30 (EET)
Preliminary agenda
- 09:30–10:00
  - Arrival and welcome coffee
- 10:00–10:20
  - Opening of the seminar and introduction to AccessibleEU
  - Overview of the objectives of the event and the role of AccessibleEU in promoting accessibility in the built environment
- 10:20–10:50
  - Introduction to accessibility in architecture
  - Key concepts, terminology, user groups, and the rationale for inclusive design in the built environment
- 10:50–11:30
  - Panel discussion: Accessibility in architectural practice
  - Architects’ perspectives on practical challenges, successful solutions, budget constraints, and lessons learned from completed projects
- 11:30–12:00
  - User perspectives on accessibility in buildings
  - Experience-based inputs highlighting real-life barriers and good practices from different disability perspectives
- 12:00–12:30
  - Safety, evacuation, and orientation in buildings
  - Accessibility considerations in emergency situations, evacuation planning, and wayfinding in public buildings
- 12:30–13:30
  - Lunch and networking
- 13:30–14:15
  - New regulatory framework for physical accessibility
  - Overview of upcoming accessibility regulations, legal requirements, and implications for design, procurement, and supervision
- 14:15–14:45
  - Accessibility in heritage and existing buildings
  - Balancing accessibility requirements with heritage protection and constraints in renovation and reconstruction projects
- 14:45–15:30
  - Panel discussion: From procurement to implementation
  - Roles and responsibilities of clients, designers, contractors, and authorities; common pitfalls in tenders and how to formulate accessibility requirements effectively
- 15:30
  - Wrap-up and discussion
  - Summary of key points, questions and answers, and closing remarks