Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Babbe Vanneste from Rollegem researches accessibility for students with disabilities in Kortrijk, working with Back Forward and Vives University. Her April 2026 report will guide city improvements and inclusive policies.
As VRT News reported, Babbe Vanneste from Rollegem is researching how accessible student life in Kortrijk is for people with physical disabilities. This year, she is starting a program at Vives University of Applied Sciences. Babbe wants to participate fully in all parts of student life.
She is collaborating with an organisation called Back Forward that enhances access and mobility for disabled persons. Recently, Babbe took a bus trip to Kortrijk for the first time to determine the ease of public transport for a wheelchair user. Next, she visited some cafes and restaurants to see if she could easily get a drink or a meal.
How accessible is student life in Kortrijk for People with disabilities?
Babbe is also examining other parts of the city for accessibility. She is checking if there are enough parking spaces for vans with loading ramps in areas reserved for people with disabilities. She is testing whether shopping in the city and visiting cultural venues, such as the Budascoop cinema.
Babbe Vanneste hopes her research will lead to concrete improvements in Kortrijk for students with physical disabilities. She is not only observing the city’s accessibility but also speaking with local decision-makers. Babbe has met with several aldermen from Kortrijk to present her findings and discuss solutions for the challenges she has noticed.
The research will be presented in a detailed report in April 2026. The report will include all observations, challenges, and practical suggestions for improving accessibility. City officials, university staff, and the public will see which areas work well and which need improvement.
“My dream is for everyone to be able to come to Kortrijk without a care in the world, because I know it can be a struggle to get around here. That’s what I want to fight for, and I hope it’s taken into account so other people can enjoy it,”
says Babbe.
Over the last decade, the city of Kortrijk has been working steadily and continuously towards increased accessibility for people with restrictions. In 2015, the city implemented a plan to improve bus stops and pavements to an accessibility level.
Local organisations such as Back Forward have, since 2018, been funding research and activities to open up spaces in a more inclusive manner. Vives University of Applied Sciences has also put much emphasis on inclusive education, with students encouraged to explore accessibility in the urban space.
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