Picture: Nelson Kon

Written by Reyyan Dogan

Every year on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities brings renewed attention to the need for inclusive, equitable environments, both socially and spatially. The 2025 theme, “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” highlights how persistent barriers in employment, social protection, and access to services continue to affect more than one billion people worldwide. Within this broader context, the built environment plays a decisive role: architecture can either reinforce exclusion or open pathways toward autonomy, dignity, and participation in daily life.

As the United Nations reflects on six years of its Disability Inclusion Strategy, the conversation increasingly intersects with questions of spatial justice and accessibility in cities. Globally, many public buildings incorporate accessibility measures due to regulation, yet residential spaces, streetscapes, and everyday infrastructures often lag behind. The growing need for environments that support diverse bodies and abilities, intensified by aging populations and expanding urban systems, underscores the responsibility of architects, planners, and policymakers to move beyond minimum standards and toward more comprehensive, human-centered design approaches.