Architectural Accessibility Crisis: Systemic Empathy Deficit and Knowledge Gaps Undermine Universal Design in Kerala

INTELLIGENCE REPORT: Analysis of the Kerala for All conclave reveals critical systemic failures impeding universal accessibility implementation. Key intelligence indicates a dual-pronged barrier: a profound empathy deficit within architectural practice and catastrophic knowledge dissemination failures regarding mandatory accessibility standards. Expert testimony confirms that fewer than 15% of practicing architects possess operational awareness of legally required accessibility design protocols, creating a built environment exclusionary by design rather than accident. This intelligence suggests the problem extends beyond technical compliance to a foundational professional ethos issue—the conclave identified 'empathy absence' as a primary driver, indicating architects frequently approach accessibility as a regulatory checkbox rather than a core human-centered design principle. The information dissemination breakdown represents a critical vulnerability in professional governance, suggesting regulatory bodies and educational institutions have failed to establish effective continuous education pipelines. This creates self-perpetuating cycles where new architects enter practice without essential universal design competencies. Strategic assessment indicates that without immediate intervention to mandate empathy-based training and overhaul professional education dissemination networks, Kerala risks institutionalizing physical exclusion that contradicts both its progressive social policies and global disability rights conventions. The conclave findings point to an urgent need for intelligence-led reform in architectural accreditation and practice monitoring.