In partnership with the RIAI, the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA) is delighted to host a webinar series on Universal Design in the Built Environment. We are hosting four lunchtime webinars over four weeks with different speakers.
Registration is free for all webinars. Register Via Zoom.
Webinar One: Designing Homes for Life: The lasting value of Universal Design
16 September 2025, 12.30-13.30 with Fíonnadh McGonigle, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
Webinar Two: Monaghan Peace Campus: RIAI Universal Design Award case study
23 September 2025, 12.30-13.30 with Alistair Beckett and Jonathan Speirs, Hall Black Douglas
Webinar Three: Designing for Every Mind: Why addressing neurodiversity is fundamental to Universal Design in architecture
14 October 2024, 12.30-13.30 with Jean Hewitt, Buro Happold
Webinar Four: ISO 5727:2024 Accessibility of immovable cultural heritage - Principles and methodology for interventions
21 October 2024, 12.30-13.30 with Fionnuala Rogerson, Fionnuala Rogerson Architects
CPD Certificates are available for these events.
Attendees can register to attend one or more of the webinars. CPD Certificates are available to those who attend on the day for each webinar.
ISL Interpretation and Captions will be available at these events.
The webinars will be recorded. As an attendee you will not be visible to other attendees and will not be recorded.
If you have a query, please email info@ceud.ie.
Learning Outcomes
Webinar One: Designing Homes for Life: the lasting value of Universal Design
After this webinar you should have:
- Awareness of Universal Design features and elements in housing design.
- Knowledge of the benefits of taking a Universal Design approach in housing for a wide range of users throughout the life course.
- Awareness of further resources and information
Webinar Two: Monaghan Peace Campus: RIAI Universal Design Award case study
After this webinar you should have:
- Knowledge of Universal Design principles and their application in building design.
- Understanding of the benefits of Universal Design for building for all users, demonstrated through the case study.
- Knowledge of practical examples of Universal Design features.
Webinar Three: Designing for Every Mind: Why addressing neurodiversity is fundamental to Universal Design in architecture
After this webinar you should have:
- Improved Awareness of the diversity of users impacted by the design of the built environment.
- Understanding of the benefits of taking a Universal Design approach, including designing for people with neurodiversity.
- Awareness of further resources and information.
Webinar Four: ISO 5727:2024 Accessibility of immovable cultural heritage - Principles and methodology for interventions.
After this webinar you should have:
- Awareness of ISO 5727:2024, its principles and objectives.
- Understanding of the application of ISO 5727:2024 when improving the accessibility of heritage sites.
- Knowledge of practical examples of the methodology in use.
Meet the Speakers
Fíonnadh McGonigle, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
Fíonnadh McGonigle is an architect, who joined the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority in February 2023. In her role as Senior Built environment Design Advisor she works to promote Universal Design in the built environment. She completed a Masters in Advanced Environmental and Energy studies at the Centre for Alternative Technology, and her keen interest in sustainability and architectural ethics, brought her to issues about social sustainability and Universal Design. Fíonnadh previously worked in architectural practice in Co. Wicklow.
Alistair Beckett, Hall Black Douglas
With 25 years + post qualification experience, Alistair Beckett is a director and architect with a wide range of experience in the design, detailing and site supervision of new build and refurbishment and conservation projects. Alistair is client focused and active in the design and management of all his projects. He is responsible for Conservation, Sustainable Design, Stakeholder Consultation and Urban Design/Master-planning within the practice. He has broad experience in working with councils, boards and community groups. Alistair is committed to capturing the clients brief and ensuring the initial concept is deliverable. He will ensure all client requirements are captured and develop design concepts for the site, buildings and internal spaces that will serve the client for future generations. Informed by the urban context, a passion for modernist interventions within historic buildings and experience of designing award winning buildings, Alistair will seek to ensure clarity of design concept to create livable spaces that enhance the wider context. Alistair is one of only 15 peer appointed RSUA Design Panel Members voted for by the membership of the RSUA. The panel was established to provide design advice to outside bodies by architects with a high level of architectural experience and expertise.
Jonathan Speirs, Hall Black Douglas
Jonathan is an Associate at Hall Black Douglas, with 19 years post qualification experience. He has passion for creating crafted and functional Architecture through developing working partnerships within the design team and client organisations.
Jonathan is a member of the RIBA, RSUA and RIAI and is experienced working throughout the UK and Ireland as Lead Designer and Employer’s Representative to meet challenging programmes and client expectations.
Jonathan’s approach is rooted in collaboration, context, and craftsmanship. He believes that good architecture works for the people who use the space, the community it serves, and the environment it inhabits. Whether working on a domestic scale or large scale public sector projects, Jonathan is committed to delivering quality sustainable solutions that are both beautiful and built to last
Jean Hewitt, Buro Happold
Jean is Technical Lead in the Inclusive Environments team at Buro Happold, an international and multi-disciplinary consultancy practice and has over 25 years’ experience in supporting and delivering inclusive spaces. She is author, contributor and co-editor on a number of publications, and was BSI’s appointed Technical Author for PAS 6463 “Design for the Mind – Neurodiversity and the Built Environment” 2022 working with a steering group of experts. She has contributed to several other publications on this topic as well as wider aspects of accessibility and inclusive design, such as Sport England’s Accessible and Inclusive Sports Facilities Guidance in 2024.
Alongside her role at Buro Happold, Jean is an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL (having developed their MSc module on Designing Inclusive Places), a longstanding member of BSI’s B559 Committee, and is currently the UK Government’s Disability Access Ambassador for the Built Environment, a voluntary role appointed by the Cabinet office.
Fionnuala Rogerson, Fionnuala Rogerson Architects
Fionnuala Rogerson FRIAI is a practicing architect and author of several publications on Universal and Inclusive Design. For over 20 years she was a Director of the International Union of Architects (UIA) Work Programme “Architecture for All”, working with architects globally to promote inclusive design as a fundamental component of architectural quality and sustainable built environments. She was a member of the ISO working group responsible for the development of ISO 5727:2024 Accessibility of immovable cultural heritage She was also a member of the CEN research team which completed the first stage of the EU mandate leading to the development of I.S. EN 17210:2021 Accessibility and usability of the built environment.