“Like many students starting the Centre for Accessible Environments’ (CAE) training programme, I had an understanding of the ways that design can exclude people, but I didn’t fully understand the different legislations or how to find solutions.”
That’s the view of Sarah Bond, a 24-year-old from Romford whose journey from architecture graduate to building on her inclusive design knowledge has led her to a bright future.
She’s recently secured a role at British engineering company Arup as an Assistant Consultant in the Access and Inclusive Environments team. That’s ahead of starting Arup’s graduate scheme in September, and with her sights firmly set on gaining her National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) accreditation.
Her launchpad? CAE’s Pathways Academy – a free, award-winning training programme designed to help disabled Londoners aged 18 and over kickstart careers in access and inclusive design. The programme is funded by City Bridge Foundation, London’s biggest charity funder.
Pandemic – a catalyst for change
Sarah’s interest in inclusive design began during the pandemic. “I noticed how the temporary restrictions completely changed the accessibility of the public spaces that I frequently used. It was a clear example of how being able to access the spaces that we take for granted is essential to a person’s wellbeing and inclusion,” says Sarah.
Equipped with an architecture degree from Lancaster University’s School of Arts, Sarah had learnt some of the theory. She had also researched the lack of diverse perspectives in the industry for a final-year project. But while she understood Part M of the Building Regulations, she was keen to see beyond the minimum legal requirements.
“Pathways Academy showed me that everyone experiences barriers in the built environment, and what is possible when we treat inclusion with the importance it deserves,” Sarah says.
“The experience I’ve gained on the course has helped me understand how to translate my understanding of inclusive design into written guidance and create access audits with practical recommendations.”
Inside Pathways Academy
Pathways spans nine months and 22 intensive training days and deep dives into:
- Principles of inclusive design
- Access auditing
- Designing for neurodiversity
- Accessible housing
- Professional communication skills.
Sarah applied for Pathways after hearing about the course from previous students she had connected with through the DisOrdinary Architecture Project, an informal platform that foregrounds disabled creativity, to shift modes of practice beyond conventional notions of access.
“I found it exciting to apply what we had been learning to a real-life audit and present it directly to a client,” she says. “I learned so much by navigating the space with the other trainees and it showed me how people can experience the same space in many different ways.”
Because the Pathways blends online learning modules with focused, face-to-face sessions, Sarah was easily able to balance the course around her part-time retail job.
Community and the future
For Sarah, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just the technical data – it was the community she found on the CAE (which is part of Habinteg Housing Association) programme.
“The knowledge I gained from both the trainers and my peers is something I couldn’t have found anywhere else,” she explains.
“Pathways has improved my ability to communicate my ideas; justify my arguments; read plans; and understand complex guidance.”
Kickstart your career
Watch the Pathways Academy video and visit the Pathways Academy web page to learn more about the programme or email pathways@cae.org.uk for more information if you have questions.