For the past three decades, the Accessibility Services of inclusione andicap ticino - previously FTIA - Federazione Ticinese Integrazione Andicap - have been promoting social integration principles in the field of design and architecture, both in the public and private sectors.
Its activities have played a significant role in raising awareness about the right to mobility and the importance of building without barriers.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified by Switzerland in 2014, making inclusion a vital goal for achieving individual autonomy and independence. Therefore, to ensure and communicate the organization's commitment to this new approach, the FTIA association changed its name and became inclusione andicap ticino.
The transition from integration to inclusion requires new tools to ensure that equal rights are not just a statement but are actually implemented when it comes to usability of spaces. The Competence Centre Design for All was established with this goal in mind.
In architecture, as in services, communication, and education, accessibility can often be obtained by installing ad hoc devices for people with disabilities. While solutions have been implemented to overcome architectural barriers, the main focus is still on the disability condition.
Through the Design for All method, we strive to find solutions that are inclusive and eliminate disability through an inclusive space design. The Design for All focuses on the potential of the individual and transforms constraints into opportunities for development.
