Blanca Arias, from the research group TraDiLex (UPF), engaged in a conversation with high school students about accessibility. The discussion evolved into a space for debate, reflection, and community, addressing the diverse aspects of accessibility.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)—a day dedicated to showcasing the role of women in science and technology and encouraging girls and boys to participate in this historically male-dominated sector—#100tífiques aims to inspire girls and boys, dismantle stereotypes around science and technology, promote female role models in the fields of science and engineering, and foster networking among women scientists.
Blanca Arias (TraDiLex, UPF), participated in #100tífiques with a talk on communication accessibility to first-year high school students at the Llibertat School in Badalona. The presentation began by addressing the basics of accessibility (“with emphasis on the idea that accessibility has to do with environments, and not with individuals,” as Arias pointed out). She continued with the benefits of accessibility for society at large, the research methods employed in its study, and highlighted some key examples in accessibility.
"The objective was for students to recognise that the communication needs of each person in a diverse society are different, and accessibility responds to these needs," says Arias. "I wanted them not to perceive disability as an alien element but rather to realise that accessibility is present in everyone's daily lives, including the people close to them—like their grandparents, parents, and friends."
The reception from the students was highly positive. Throughout the explanation, they were enthusiastic and participated spontaneously, offering examples of accessibility measures that they were familiar with, such as acoustic signals at traffic lights, Braille numbering on lift buttons at home, and sign language on TV.
Arias highlights that, during the talk, the class transformed into a safe space for sharing personal experiences. Some students even took the initiative to explain cases of family and friends who were users of the accessibility services Arias was presenting. "It seemed to me that they recognised the necessity and urgency of research in our field," she concludes in an optimistic tone.
