Accessible housing image

A new programme has been launched to support young disabled Londoners into careers in inclusive design, which will be led by Habinteg’s training and consultancy team – The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE).

Following a £322,000 grant from City Bridge Trust, CAE will train young people on inclusive design and the accessibility of buildings and services.

Aimed at 18-30-year olds, the Pathways programme will provide the knowledge, skills and support young disabled people need to kickstart a career in inclusive design and access.

Pathways is now open for entry and young disabled Londoners are encouraged to sign up to for the July taster session.

The Pathways project aims to work with 40 participants over three years, offering advice, support and continued professional development opportunities during and after the programme.

Fara Muneer, Head of Business Development at CAE, said: “We are delighted to be working with City Bridge Trust to tackle the disproportionate level of unemployment amongst young disabled Londoners. This pandemic has shown us more than ever how crucial space is and these young people bring an insight to removing barriers to create equality of access in the built environment.

“We are delighted to be offering this program supporting the development of skills and confidence for the next generation of access talent. After the programme, the participants will be well equipped to deliver the vision of a more inclusive environment.”

Participants will be able to attend two days training per month over 12 months on a broad range of topics relating to disability awareness and inclusive design with practical exercises. There will also be on the job shadowing and mentoring from industry experts, matched to participants’ area of interest.

Actress and Disability Campaigner Sam Renke added: “For young disabled Londoners like me, it can be an anxiety fuelled journey trying to find a job. This is why we need more programmes that support disabled people into work.

“I think it’s great that CAE are not only providing disabled people with employment support, but are encouraging them into careers in inclusive design, which is a subject that effects all disabled people.”

CAE provides consultancy, training, research and publications on building design and management to meet all user needs, including disabled and older people. It is a leader in developing the case for designing for disabled people in the context of mainstream inclusive design.

Young, disabled Londoners can register their interest to find out more at CAE’s taster sessions on the 24th of July and the 9th of September.

To find out more or to book a place at CAE’s next virtual taster session, visit: https://cae.org.uk/our-partners/pathways/

Habinteg is a leading national provider of affordable accessible homes and support services, which has over 3,300 homes across 86 local authorities. It champions inclusion by providing sustainable neighbourhoods of Lifetime Homes and wheelchair standard properties for disabled and non-disabled people to share and enjoy.

City Bridge Trust is the funding arm of Bridge House Estates. It was established to make use of funds surplus to bridge requirements and provides grants totalling around £20 million per year towards charitable activity benefitting Greater London.

The City Bridge Trust’s Bridge to Work programme aims to tackle the disproportionately high level of unemployment amongst young disabled Londoners.

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