Students work on improving accessibility of UNESCO World Heritage sites
With a workshop on accessibility, the Industry Challenge 2026 kicked off at NHL Stenden on 23 March. Students from the Master’s in International Leisure, Tourism & Events Management are exploring how UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Netherlands can become more socially accessible.
A telling start
The kick-off took place during a workshop organised by Stichting Werelderfgoed Nederland, in collaboration with UNESCO World Heritage and the Bartiméus Fund. Accessibility was central throughout the workshop. Participants were able to experience for themselves what accessibility means in practice.
The day started with a recognisable example. Accessibility expert Steven Dekker got lost in the NHL Stenden building due to unclear signage. What may seem minor immediately showed what it is really about: accessibility lies in the environment.
During the session, he introduced the three pillars of accessibility: digital, physical and social. He emphasised that inclusive design means taking into account a wide range of needs, not just those of the ‘average’ user.
Experiencing accessibility
To make this insight concrete, students got to work themselves. In one exercise, only part of the group was able to follow the story properly. This showed how quickly people with a neurodiverse brain, such as ADHD, can become overstimulated.
Students then completed a series of practical tasks. They navigated the building blindfolded using a white cane, built a LEGO house while wearing colour-blindness glasses, carried out a Stroop test and used their phones without their fingers to simulate an amputation.
These exercises made clear what accessibility means in practice.
New insights for the Challenge
The workshop helped students look at accessibility from a different perspective. The focus is not on the person, but on the environment that can be improved.
Within the educational concept of ‘Design-Based Education’, students work on real-life challenges. During the Industry Challenge, they do this together with external partners, translating their insights into concrete solutions.
The day ended with a joint reflection. Students shared their experiences and insights and were each assigned a specific impairment. They will use this as a starting point for the Industry Challenge 2026.
In collaboration with the partner organisations, they will work in the coming period on solutions to improve the social accessibility of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Netherlands.
Pictures by Sjors Evers.
