BE Sustainable Episode 10: Accessibility for All, Pt.1 - with Adrian Tagg Artwork

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BE Sustainable Episode 10: Accessibility for All, Pt.1 - with Adrian Tagg

April 29, 2025 • UCEM

Is our sector doing enough to cater for people with accessibility needs?

Almost a quarter of the UK’s population have a disability, yet the buildings we live, work and play in are still far from accessible and inclusive in their design and operation.

To explore this topic further, Adrian Tagg, Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, joins us for a two-part episode informed by his extensive research into built environment accessibility.

Listen to the podcast via:

- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucem/id1524980861
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Czk2mZlZmknjUZfwLmLTa
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/universitycollegeofestatemanagement

The topics discussed in this episode include:

- How well does the built environment cater for disabilities and accessibility needs?

- Why isn't legislation having enough of an impact on decision making?

- Has this become more difficult in a post-pandemic world

- Is one of the opportunities in terms of promoting accessibility issues the fact it can actually be positive for the entire population?

- Do you think that the advice given to the construction sector regarding disabilities and accessibility needs is too broad?

Guest

Adrian Tagg

Adrian is the Lead for Building Surveying at the University of Reading, where he lectures in building pathology and commercial surveying practice. Alongside his academic role, Adrian continues to work in practice with his consultancy firm, Tech DD Ltd., having previously held various industry positions in London, Germany and Brussels.

Adrian was the recipient of UCEM’s Harold Samuel Research Prize in 2019 for his paper ‘Public and Commercial Attitudes to Disability in the Built Environment’. Following this, he wrote the book ‘Inclusive Environments and Access to Commercial Property’, which examines the challenges, compromises, and potential socio-economic benefits of deliver inclusivity in the commercial-built environment.