Invisible Accessibility Competition at CEPSUM Sports Center

Why “Invisible Accessibility” Is a Big Deal

Accessibility isn’t just adding ramps or braille signs—it’s about crafting spaces that feel natural and effortless for everyone. The Faculté de l’aménagement at Université de Montréal is flipping the script on “add?on” solutions with its new student design competition. Dubbed “invisible accessibility,” the idea is to weave inclusive features so seamlessly into CEPSUM’s fabric that no one sees them as accommodations—they’re just part of the experience.

Your Playground: Three CEPSUM Hotspots

Participants get to pick one of three everyday moments at the sports centre and reimagine them for universal delight: The Main Entrance—How can arrival be welcoming to all without obvious “access paths”?; Carabins Stadium—What tweaks would turn every game into a fully shared thrill?; The Pool—How do you create an aquatic zone where every swimmer feels confident and safe—no special gear required?

Rules of the Game: How It Works

This is a strictly student?only, anonymous contest—and that’s by design. Submissions are judged purely on creativity and feasibility by an eight?member panel of experts from architecture, graphic and interior design, landscape architecture, lighting, multimedia design, and beyond. With nine prizes totaling $31,500 (three winners per experience), there’s real incentive to push the envelope. And because it’s anonymous, each idea gets a fair shake—no credentials, just ingenuity.

Ready, Set, Go!

If you’re enrolled in a design?related program anywhere in the world, consider this your call to action. Sketch out your vision, hone your narrative, and submit over the summer of 2025. Exact entry details and submission guidelines are available on the Faculté’s website. Whether you’re a graphic designer dreaming in 2D, a budding landscape architect with fresh takes on green spaces, or a lighting designer rethinking ambiance, there’s room for your voice.