Introduction

The project was student-lead research on the theme of accessibility funded by the library at Emily Carr. When I got the role in September 2024, I immediately knew that I wanted to compile a series of low-barrier field research that focused on community engagement and connection building with the students of Emily Carr to address accessibility issues over short and long-term periods. The library had already implemented initiatives such as low-sensory study nights, and writing creative access descriptions for the print catalogue, which I helped with weekly alongside the research.

The project was divided into five main phases.

General research including secondary research around the topic. Engaging with accessibility material at ECU.
Broad community outreach and asynchronous engagement to explore accessibility landscape at ECU.
- i.e. sticky wall questionnaire, conversations with students
Hallway survey focused on accessibility in library usage, as well as building one-on-one rapport with students.
- Result: accessibility recommendations short/ long term plan to the Library.
Continued advocacy and engagement with the university’s committees and departments (including the Accessibility Committee and key staff) to improve access barriers for students.
Celebration and community building through a curated group exhibition, Who Are We? in the Library
- Supported by the Library and DDM’s micro grant

Bio

Parnian Anaa is a multidisciplinary designer, activist, researcher, and athlete, currently based in Vancouver. In 2025, she graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a degree in Industrial Design and a minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement. Parnian's embodied experience of diasporic pain has deeply rooted her creative practice in social and ecological justice. Guided by core values of movement, peace, gratitude, kindness, and growth, she believes in (literally) moving to understand. Poetry is her favourite medium, and through creative disciplines she explores the intersections of design, ontologies, and epistemologies within social contexts. Her commitment to justice has led her to actively lead, participate in, and collaborate on diverse community projects. She defines her work as an ongoing thread of entangled creations, material exploration, and performance. Rooted in community engagement, collaboration, and social innovation, her design practice embraces making-to-know, storytelling, and research through design.