Accessibility: a barrier free environment

A: General Concept

The UN CRPD

One of the other general principles (Article 3 (f)) of the UN CRPD is the concept of Accessibility. In Article 9 the UN CRPD states the responsibility of government “to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications…, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas”.

What do we mean by accessibility?

Accessibility is broadly understood as an ability to access or benefit from any product, device, service or environment. If a product, service or environment is accessible, it means that all people with and without disabilities can access it without facing any barrier.

In 2013, the United Nations High-level Meeting on Disability and Development stressed the importance of ensuring accessibility for inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development.

The definition of accessibility is that a person is able to:

Framework for Ensuring Accessibility

The Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities considers accessibility as a cross-cutting issue that enables persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of society.

The Convention promotes accessibility in:

Design and development as well as availability of new technologies, including those of information and communication technologies (Article 4);
Indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces (Article 9);
Independent living within the community (Article 19);
Personal mobility (Article 20);
Possibilities to freely express oneself and access information (Article 21).

B: Barrier-free access

Accessibility is a very important core element of disability inclusion. An accessible barrier-free environment is a very important step towards fulfilling the rights of people with disabilities to participate in all areas of community life.

A barrier-free environment means more than just physical access such as the building of ramps, but needs to be taken much broader.

In a society that offers all its members appropriate and equal access to transportation, technology, housing, services and community infrastructure, people with disabilities have more chances to develop their skills and contribute to communal life.

This can mean making reasonable accommodations – small adjustments to the environment to make it more friendly to persons with all types of abilities.

People with visual impairments

Accessibility Needs

Good lighting for people with low vision
Good tactile markings for identification
Securely fixed handrails
Signage in braille, embossed and/or large letters
Pathways cleared from objects and debris to avoid people from tripping over.

People with hearing and / or speech impairments

Clear and visible signage
Provision of written reference information.
Glare free lighting to make lip reading and following sign language easier
Good acoustics in meeting rooms
Alternate methods of communication in public places, such as paper and pen.

People with intellectual impairments and/or learning disabilities

People with physical impairment (difficulty walking)

Wide pathways, ramps and doorways to allow a person using a wheelchair to move easily.
Accessible toilets and washing facilities.
Easy-read written material: clear and simple messages supported by pictures.
Securely fixed handrails
Available seats and benches so people who have difficulty walking can rest.