For the 2nd consecutive time, CASACOR São Paulo receives accessibility seal

This is the second consecutive year that CASACOR São Paulo has received the seal granted by the Permanent Accessibility Commission (CPA) , which ensures accessibility for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. To receive the Accessibility Seal , the exhibition undergoes an evaluation carried out by engineers, architects, people with disabilities and members of the CPA. An average of 4 to 5 people with motor disabilities visit CASACOR São Paulo 2024 per day. Last year, around 500 people in wheelchairs attended the exhibition. When accessibility and inclusion resources began to be implemented at the event, the number was much lower, says Darlan Firmato , CASACOR’s operations director: “It was approximately one per week, that is, we received 10, 15 people in wheelchairs during the entire exhibition.” The explanation for the increase in the participation of people with disabilities in CASACOR São Paulo lies in the accessibility strategies implemented over the years, which aim to universalize access to the exhibition . “In places where people in wheelchairs do not have access, no other visitor will have access either: this is one of the mottos we follow, and we ask all architects to participate in this. Access has to be universal ,” says Darlan.

To ensure that the CASACOR São Paulo route is, every year, entirely accessible, Silvana Cambiaghi, architect and accessibility consultant for the show, coordinates the technical analysis of the circuit from the beginning, monitoring the location and the functional projects of the architects participating in the event.

Silvana reinforces the importance of proposing events on accessibility and universal design that involve the general public, so that this debate continues to expand. "There has been a great evolution in accessibility and universal design in architecture and interior design, and a gradual change in the rejection of architects and interior designers to execute and create projects with accessibility", he says.

In addition to the commitment to physical accessibility, aimed at people with reduced mobility, ensuring equity for all visitors "requires considering the needs of all people with disabilities", says Silvana. For this reason, CASACOR São Paulo has applied accessibility resources on different fronts . See below:

ICOM: sign language service platform

ICOM , the Sign Language Service Platform , offers simultaneous translations to facilitate interaction for people with communication difficulties in any space. ICOM can be accessed via the CASACOR app itself: by clicking on the sign language icon in the app, visitors are directed to the platform, which connects them to a specialist who will perform the requested translation. The application was launched in 2017 with the aim of making communication between the public and private sectors more accessible in order to include deaf consumers, employees and citizens in a bilingual Brazil between Portuguese and Libras.

Tactile floors, objects and maps

There are four tactile maps throughout the exhibit, which direct visitors along the route and provide an audio guide for blind or visually impaired people, in addition to the presence of tactile flooring throughout the CASACOR São Paulo circuit. Furthermore, it is important to note that although the presence of animals is not permitted, an exception is made for guide dogs to help blind or visually impaired people move around the exhibit. It is also possible to touch the items in the rooms : “For visitors with visual impairment, it is interesting to notice the roughness of a stone, the softness of a fabric, or to run your hand over leather upholstery, exploring the possibilities through touch”, explains Darlan.

Elevator, lifting platform, ramps and guardrails

During the execution of CASACOR projects, the floor plan is positioned to include elevators, lifting platforms, ramps and guardrails, so that visitors with disabilities can have the same experience as anyone else. "Any unevenness that exists must be ramped. No steps whatsoever," says Darlan.

Motorized wheelchairs

In all editions, CASACOR provides motorized wheelchairs so that visitors with mobility difficulties can move freely around the exhibition.

Guided tours

The promotion of guided tours for people with disabilities has become a tradition at CASACOR São Paulo. In the last two editions, the exhibition offered the group of members of the Municipal Secretariat for People with Disabilities (SMPED), the Permanent Accessibility Commission of the City of São Paulo (CPA), the Architecture and Urban Planning Council of São Paulo (CAU/SP) and entities related to people with disabilities an inclusive experience so that visitors could check out the actions related to accessibility developed at the event, with the consultancy of architect Silvana Cambiaghi.

Universal Design Studio

Since last year, CASACOR São Paulo has included the Universal Design Studio in the exhibition plans: an environment that explores the possibilities of universal design by thinking about space especially for residents who use wheelchairs.

This year, the project was designed by AD|VP Arquitetura , which developed the Estúdio Refúgio de Memórias . Architects Vanessa and Andressa sought to escape the stereotype that associates accessibility with simplicity or lack of style, stating: “For us, it is essential that the design is accessible not only physically, but also aesthetically. We embrace the beauty of organic forms and natural materials, creating an environment that captivates the senses and celebrates diversity.”

SERVICE – CASACOR São Paulo 2024

Where: National Complex, on Paulista Avenue, 2073 – São Paulo (SP) When: May 21 to July 28, 2024 Box office hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 10pm Sundays and holidays, from 11am to 9pm Digital box office: https://appcasacor.com.br/en/events/sao-paulo-2024 Ticket prices: R$ 111 – Full R$ 56 – Half-price Purchase of half-price tickets: senior citizens aged 60 and over, students presenting a valid photo ID or payment receipt. Persons with disabilities and their companions (according to law 12.933/13). Proof of half-price tickets will be required at the door.