‘My Big Life Fix’ Project - Innovative Practices in Social Care: Bridging Disability, Design, and Higher Education: #AHEADjournalA Review of Inclusive Education & Employment Practices ISSN 2009-8286

On the 9th of February 2024, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD, announced the roll-out of higher education courses for students with Intellectual Disability (Gov of Ireland, 2024). In addition, Minister Harris announced a budget of 1.8 million for inclusion measures to take place on college campuses like sensory maps for students with autism. It is timely then that higher education universities re-evaluate their college campuses to meaningfully include the voice of people with disabilities in its campus design. This issue is emphasised in recent scholarship that highlights the critical importance of inclusivity in education environments (Burgstahler, 2015). It is within this context that the pursuit of educational equity and the integration of inclusivity within the architectural and design fabric of higher education institutions becomes a paramount priority. This article presents an innovative teaching and learning project undertaken by the South East Technological University (SETU), aimed at bridging the gap between disability access and higher education. By engaging third-year Professional Social Care undergraduates in a collaborative endeavour with individuals with disabilities, architecture, and design academics, the project sought not only to understand but to fundamentally reimagine the university campus experience to meet diverse needs.