Accessibility and inclusivity in the 24/Three studio

Just two months in to working at 24/Three as an Architectural Assistant, I really feel that I am already part of the team. Employing someone with a disability like me may seem daunting but, really, it just takes a little planning and, sometimes, creative thinking!

24/Three are a Disability Confident Committed practice. This means that they embed accessibility and inclusivity across every stage of employment. Even during my interview, my disability was never seen as a problem by the senior leadership team who asked: “What can we do to make this work for you?”

Before starting, I was invited to visit the practice to discuss adaptations. An historic wharf conversion was never going to be the most accessible space! But all I needed to enable me to get around independently here was the removal of thresholds to eliminate trip hazards and the installation of a banister so that my personal assistant could help me up and down stairs safely.

We also looked at my computing needs and desk space. A little bit more room for my own specialist chair, a height-adjustable desk and discrete earpiece for Teams calls were all that were needed. A colleague voluntarily created a footrest from scratch to help me use the keyboard and mouse with my feet.

24/Three have given me the best possible introduction to the world of architectural work. My disability has never been seen as a barrier here and I’m excited for what the year ahead holds...

Author: Orla Conneely