South East Technological University (SETU) lecturer, John Balfe, and a dedicated team of social care students, with the help of architecture and design lecturers, unveiled the innovative ‘My Big Life Fix’ project at the Social Care Ireland Conference 2024 in Cork.
The ‘My Big Life Fix‘ project embodies SETU’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in higher education. Through direct collaboration with individuals living with disabilities in Wexford, students gained valuable insights, translating theoretical concepts of rights-based citizenship into actionable designs for a proposed new universally accessible Wexford campus.
The project initiated at SETU’s campus in Wexford and stemmed from a pressing need to bridge the gap between the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and the academic frameworks taught in higher education. The aim was clear: to integrate the principles of rights-based, citizenship, and equality agendas into practical learning scenarios. Social care students were tasked not only with studying theoretical aspects of disabilities, but also engaging directly with individuals in the Wexford area who live with these challenges daily. This direct interaction provided invaluable insights and fostered a deeper understanding and empathy among SETU students.
Interdisciplinary approach
A pivotal element of the project was its interdisciplinary approach. The students teamed up with peers from the architecture and design faculties to work on a tangible outcome - a 3D prototype of an accessible campus. This prototype was designed to reflect the real needs and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, proposing practical solutions that ensure inclusivity and accessibility in educational environments.
Speaking about the impact of the project, John Balfe, said, “The result of the project was manifold. Not only did students gain a profound understanding of disability issues, but they experienced the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, applying universal design principles in a real-world context. Furthermore, this project serves as a powerful advocacy tool for integrating disability rights into campus design and policymaking. Ultimately, by placing the voices of people with disabilities at the centre of our project, we empowered them to influence and shape the spaces that are meant to serve their educational needs. This initiative not only benefitted our students but set a precedent for how higher education can address and include the needs of marginalized communities."
John continued, “We extend our gratitude to N-TUTORR 'Students as Partners in Innovation and Change Fellowship Programme' for supporting this empowering endeavour. This project not only showcases the role of social care in advocating for marginalized groups, but also demonstrates the transformative power of uniting lived experience with academic innovation. The result of this is an enhanced understanding of and empathy for disability challenges for SETU students.”
Photo caption: L-R SETU students Chloe O’Sullivan, Laura Byrne, Abigail Murphy, Kasey Doyle, Ciara Rossiter, Amy Roche, and Rebecca Holmes are pictured with John Balfe, SETU lecturer in Professional Social Care and Early Childhood Education at the Social Care Ireland Conference 2024, where they presented their project ‘My Big Life’.