Enhancing Accessibility to Housing and Buildings for People with Reduced Mobility

PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY

People with reduced mobility face significant challenges in accessing and using their homes and residential buildings. Architectural barriers such as steps, narrow doorways, lack of elevators, steep ramps, inaccessible bathrooms, or poorly designed common areas severely limit autonomy, safety, and participation in daily life.

In Spain —and particularly in older buildings— accessibility issues remain widespread, creating an urgent need for innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. Beyond physical adaptations, technology and service design can open new opportunities to support independence and improve the quality of life of affected individuals.

Fundación Mutua Propietarios aims to drive real impact by promoting accessibility, awareness, and innovation that enhances autonomy and wellbeing at home.

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE

To identify solutions—technological, architectural, or service-based—that significantly improve the accessibility, autonomy, and daily experience of people with reduced mobility in their homes or residential buildings.

SCOPE OF THE CHALLENGE

Included:

• Architectural interventions that improve access to buildings and homes

• Low-cost or modular accessibility solutions for older buildings

• Assistive technologies for daily living at home

• Digital tools that support autonomy or reduce dependence

• Early detection of accessibility risks (falls, obstacles, unsafe layouts)

• Services that provide support, guidance, or maintenance for accessibility

• Solutions improving the usability of building common areas

Not included (for now):

• Medical devices or clinical rehabilitation solutions

• Projects unrelated to housing or residential buildings