SYNOPSIS   

How do we move from "compliant" design to "truly inclusive" infrastructure? This session goes beyond the technical manuals to explore the intersection of engineering and human-centric universal design.

Through a deep dive into the street environment and public transit systems, we will examine how infrastructure choices directly impact the independence and safety of disabled users and elderly persons. By moving past theoretical standards, this talk focuses on the practical reality of the commute, identifying where conventional engineering often fails many vulnerable users.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Dr. Naziaty Mohd Yaacob

Dr. Naziaty was trained in Malaysia and England as an architect, with 28 years of experience in academia from 1991 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Malaya, with an additional 7 years of architecture industry practice. Host and content creator of Talk Architecture podcast, ranked top 30 globally on the topic of architecture design and education. Director of Xiron Engineering Services SB and CEO and Founder of ZaSve Universal Design, Naziaty, who is a polio survivor and vision-impaired person, runs an online growth mindset program for architects, a consulting business providing access audits, design appraisals for architects, designers, property developers, and contractors on accessibility and universal design.

Dr. Naziaty is an advocate, since 1998, for OKU rights and disability-inclusive accessibility. A two-term Member of the National Council, under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008. Dr. Naziaty served as a resource person for the United Nations ESCAP, upon completing its training of trainers programme for leaders with disabilities on the promotion of non-handicapping environments. Dr. Naziaty also served as facilitator of the cross-disability Harapan OKU Group on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was the initiator and Co-Chair of the Harapan OKU Law Reform Group - the first in Malaysia to work on CRPD-compliant amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008.