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Certified in Accessibility & Inclusive Design

This credential reflects formal postgraduate training in Accessibility and Inclusive Design completed through the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. It demonstrates expertise in designing environments, systems, and experiences that are accessible, usable, and safe for people of all abilities.
The programme focuses on applying inclusive design principles across the built environment, ensuring equitable access, practical usability, and compliance with international accessibility standards.

Relevance to Fire Life Safety and the Built Environment

In fire life safety, accessibility is not limited to day-to-day circulation. It must also be integrated into:
  • Evacuation and assisted egress strategies
  • Refuge spaces and protected zones
  • Alarm and communication systems
  • Wayfinding, signage, and visual contrast requirements
This competency strengthens our ability to develop fire strategies that are inclusive and that support safe evacuation outcomes for all occupants, including:
  • Persons with physical disabilities
  • Older adults
  • Children
  • Individuals with neurodiversity or sensory differences
  • People with temporary mobility restrictions (injury, fatigue, etc.)

Core Competencies Developed

  • Principles of Universal Design and inclusive planning
  • Accessibility code interpretation and application
  • Evaluation of circulation and space usability
  • Inclusive emergency egress and communication strategies
  • Human behaviour and user experience considerations
  • Coordination of accessibility across architectural, structural, MEP, and operational systems

Integration Into Vortex Fire’s Practice

This credential directly supports our work by enabling us to:
  • Embed inclusive design from concept through detailed design stages
  • Review architectural and egress layouts for accessibility alignment
  • Incorporate inclusive evacuation solutions into performance based fire strategies
  • Advise design teams on practical adjustments that improve safety and usability without compromising architectural intent
It complements our Chartered and Registered Engineering accreditations by ensuring our fire life safety designs reflect not only compliance, but equitable access and safe use for all occupants.

Commitment to Inclusive and Safe Environments

This qualification reinforces our broader commitment to:
  • Human-centred fire safety outcomes
  • Responsible and ethical engineering practice
  • Design solutions that balance safety, dignity, and practicality
  • Built environments that are usable, legible, and safe for every individual