Zeynep Nida Bulut, who has a walking disability due to a traffic accident, has returned to the university from which she took a break for four years. Zeynep Nida, a student of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU), will design her projects in the manner all people with disabilities can access.
Zeynep Nida Bulut, a student of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Istanbul Kültür University, has wanted to become an architect since childhood. However, she had to postpone her dream due to a traffic accident she had 4 years ago during the gap semester of the first grade. Zeynep, who had to continue living her life with the aid of a wheelchair due to a broken spine, returned to her school with a decision she made last year. Now she dreams of achieving her childhood dream and creating an unhindered future for both herself and other disabled people as soon as she graduates. Zeynep told her story and dreams as follows:
Continuing From Where I Left Off
“I started school in 2016. After completing the first semester, I went to Muğla to my family for two weeks. In January of 2017, I had a traffic accident. My spine was broken. I was diagnosed with paraplegia. I had surgery, I stayed in the hospital for 8-9 months. My physiotherapy continues. I made a certain return to Istanbul to continue my education in 2021. Interior architecture is my childhood dream. I am continuing my way from where I left off to pursue my childhood dream.
The First Step is Crucial
The first day I went back to school, I was so excited. I was afraid of what it would be like with a wheelchair. The four years I've spent at home have turned me into an introvert. I had a fear of socialization. But from the moment I got to school, everyone was very helpful. I saw that nothing was what I was afraid of. I saw that it was very significant not to act with bias and to take that first step. I'm going to finish school, I'm determined. After finishing school, I want to do my master's degree in Italy. In fact, I want to learn Italian.”
Places to Visit for Everyone
Zeynep says, "There are things I want to change with my occupation. For example, when I go to any place or construction now, the first thing I look at is ‘will I be able to stroll around comfortably?’ I even call before going to some places and ask if it would be convenient for me. In the future, I will pay the most attention to this in my projects. The places I have designed should be accessible to everyone. In addition, when I go to social areas such as cinema, theater, museum, I also imagine how this area would be most suitable for me.”
