On a thought-provoking evening at the UrbanEye Film Festival, I had the privilege of speaking alongside Alex Tache, an IT specialist and activist for the rights of people with disabilities. The discussion, moderated by Ruxandra Mateescu from Supereroi printre noi, followed the screening of the documentary âI Didnât See You Thereâ by Reid Davenport. The film, shot entirely from the perspective of the directorâwho uses a wheelchairâoffers a deeply personal and emotional lens on the invisibility of disability, the relationship between individuals and urban architecture, and the societal biases ingrained in public spaces. It also reflects on the history of the âFreak Show,â where atypical bodies were exploited for spectacle, drawing poignant parallels with how urban environments today continue to exclude people with disabilities. Key Discussion Points Our conversation after the film delved into: The accessibility of public spaces and the barriers faced by people with disabilities. How architectural design influences inclusion or exclusion in cities. The biases and stereotypes still present in society and how they are reflected in the built environment. Practical tools and empathy exercises that can help change perspectives and encourage inclusive practices in design and urban planning. A Shared Mission As an architect specializing in inclusive design and founder of AMAIS, I highlighted the importance of creating environments that empower human diversity and possible empathy exercises. Alex Tache brought invaluable insights from his lived experience, reminding us why advocacy and collaboration are crucial to driving change. This event reinforced the need for dialogue around accessibility and inclusion, both in design and in how we, as a society, approach disability. Iâm grateful to UrbanEye Film Festival and the incredible team behind this event for creating space for these vital conversations.
