Course on Universal Accessibility in Urban Spaces
Online course of 300 hours in universal accessibility in urban spaces, structured in 6 modules covering the accessibility framework, accessible pedestrian routes, street elements, communication and wayfinding, and accessibility auditing and planning, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course on Universal Accessibility in Urban Spaces — studying from New Zealand
Civil engineering is one of New Zealand's largest engineering employers, driven by the need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure, roading, water and wastewater systems across a seismically active country. Major projects include Auckland's City Rail Link and Wellington's transport upgrades, with rail maintained largely by KiwiRail. Engineers work for consultancies, contractors and councils, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment administers the Building Act and related standards, while Waka Kotahi manages the national land transport network.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$887 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What is the recognition pathway for civil and rail engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is the main recognised professional standard for civil engineers. Rail is regulated through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers or the relevant body decide how much weight to give them.
Who hires civil, rail and smart city engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include city and regional councils, central government agencies, consultancies, contractors, and rail and transport operators. Smart city roles increasingly combine infrastructure knowledge with data and digital systems. Hiring usually depends on registration, experience and project records, so a private qualification is a supporting credential rather than a guaranteed entry point.
Will I need a visa, and how do fees and employer funding work?
No student visa is needed to study from home, because all programmes are 100% online and taught in English. Each programme includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300, so check the time commitment against your workload.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply the concepts of universal accessibility and the accessibility chain.
Interpret Orden TMA/851/2021 and regional regulations.
Design accessible pedestrian routes.
Select accessible street elements and furniture.
Implement inclusive communication and wayfinding systems.
Carry out accessibility audits of urban space.
Prepare an accessibility plan for an urban area.
Who it's for
- Accessibility technicians.
- Universal accessibility auditors.
- Architects and urban planners.
- Urbanisation project designers.
- Municipal works officers.
- Accessibility consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join local government.
What you'll work with
- Orden TMA/851/2021 (accessibility of urbanised public spaces)
- Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2013 (Spanish General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
- Real Decreto 193/2023 (basic accessibility conditions for goods and services)
- CTE DB-SUA (Spanish Building Code, safety of use and accessibility)
- UNE 170001 (universal accessibility)
- UNE-ISO 21542 (accessibility of the built environment)
- UNE 41500 IN (accessibility in building and urban planning)
- UNE-EN 17210 (accessibility and usability of the built environment)
- QGIS
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS Field Maps
- Excel
- Survey123
6 modules
1.1The concept of universal accessibility1.2The accessibility chain1.3Design for all and reasonable adjustments1.4Types of disability and needs1.5Evolution of regulations in Spain1.6Orden TMA/851/2021 and what it introduces1.7Regional accessibility regulations1.8Adaptation deadlines and obligations1.9Municipal accessibility plans1.10Case study: analysis of a municipal accessibility plan
2.1Clear width and clear height2.2Longitudinal and cross slopes2.3Firm, slip-resistant paving2.4Gratings, tree pits and covers2.5Pedestrian dropped kerbs and lowered crossings2.6Accessible pedestrian crossings2.7Urban ramps and stairs2.8Lifts and moving walkways2.9Guidance strips and tactile paving2.10Practical exercise: measuring a route with a level and a measuring wheel
3.1Accessible street furniture3.2Benches and leaning rests3.3Drinking fountains and litter bins3.4Reserved parking spaces3.5Accessible bus stops3.6Traffic lights with acoustic signals3.7Works elements and temporary signage3.8Accessible play areas3.9Beaches and natural environments3.10Workshop: checklist for street elements
4.1Accessible signage criteria4.2Colour contrast and legibility4.3Tactile information and Braille4.4Induction loops for hearing aids4.5Beacons and wayfinding apps4.6Haptic maps and tactile models4.7Easy-to-read communication4.8Signage in heritage settings4.9Accessibility of digital information4.10Case study: wayfinding system for a town centre
5.1Accessibility assessment methodology5.2Georeferenced inventory of barriers5.3Prioritisation of actions5.4Cost estimation of adaptations5.5Reasonable adjustments in consolidated environments5.6Accessibility in historic centres5.7Involvement of disability organisations5.8Monitoring and maintenance5.9UNE 170001 certification5.10Practical exercise: accessibility audit of a street
6.1Definition of the area6.2Inventory of barriers6.3Assessment by element6.4Proposed actions6.5Prioritisation and phasing6.6Budget and implementation phases6.7Monitoring system6.8User involvement6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is QGIS, AutoCAD, ArcGIS Field Maps, Excel and Survey123, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for pedestrian route audits, georeferenced barrier inventories and checks of street elements. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Orden TMA/851/2021, Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2013, Real Decreto 193/2023, CTE DB-SUA, UNE 170001, UNE-ISO 21542, UNE 41500 IN and UNE-EN 17210.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with QGIS, AutoCAD, ArcGIS Field Maps, Excel and Survey123, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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