Mapathon: Break Down Barriers! We design a better future with a barrier-free present

On May 12, 2026, the Faculty of Optics and Optometry of Terrassa (FOOT) hosted a new edition of the Mapathon, this year under the slogan “Breaking barriers!”.

The Mapathon is an awareness-raising initiative that promotes reflection on mobility and accessibility barriers in urban spaces. Through group work, participants explored the surroundings of the FOOT to identify elements that hinder mobility, especially for people with low vision, blindness, or reduced mobility in Terrassa.

During the event, a geolocation mobile application developed at UPC for social purposes was used to record accessibility issues. Through this tool, participants were able to mark different inaccessible points on a map in real time, such as sidewalks without curb cuts at pedestrian crossings, missing or damaged tactile paving, obstacles in public spaces, or inadequate signage, among others.

The application is accessible online and does not require downloading:

The initiative has a direct impact, as the collected data is used to submit improvement proposals to the Terrassa City Council, with the aim of contributing to a more inclusive urban environment. At the same time, the activity allows students to experience firsthand the accessibility challenges they may encounter in their future professional practice.

With this edition, the FOOT consolidates the Mapathon as a training and awareness activity that combines learning, social commitment, and collaborative work to move toward a more accessible city for everyone.