The idea of accessibility pertains to the development of locations, services, technologies, and systems that enable full participation from all people. People can travel to physical areas, access digital content, and participate in healthcare, education, and work without encountering obstacles or biases because of accessibility principles. According to accessibility regulations, persons with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities are offered facilities to help them easily access these spaces and utilise services. While there has been a significant effort to implement accessibility across the board – in schools, malls, banks, colleges, government institutions, offices, websites, and more – there are still certain barriers that exist. This article highlights six such common barriers.
Understanding the six common accessibility barriers and how to overcome them
The six common barriers to accessibility and their corresponding solutions are outlined below:
Physical barriers
Physical or architectural barriers are elements of buildings and outdoor spaces that create barriers for persons with disabilities. Poorly built features like a building’s entry or stairs, the arrangement of rooms, or the lack of ramp access are examples of these barriers. For example, the tiny passages of some buildings may be inaccessible to wheelchairs and walkers. Because of this, it is challenging for those with mobility disabilities to access them.
Similarly, buildings or spaces with low lighting can be difficult to access for people with low vision. Certain physical accessibility barriers may also exist in workspaces where restrooms and entrances are not designed to accommodate wheelchair users or persons with physical limitations.
Solution:
- Implementing universal design principles in all new constructions to ensure the spaces are equally accessible to everyone.
- Retrofit older buildings with features like automated doors, ramp access, and tactile guidance systems to help make them accessible to people with visual and mobility impairments.
- Periodically conduct accessibility audits for workplaces to identify barriers and address them at the earliest.
Organisational barriers
Also known as systemic barriers, these are policies and procedures of organisations that discriminate against persons with disabilities. Organisational barriers are generally deeply embedded into the structures and processes of institutions, making accessibility an afterthought. The absence of accessible learning resources such as audiobooks or Braille, stringent admissions procedures that ignore students with disabilities, and a single assessment method that does not take into account a range of needs are a few examples of systemic hurdles in education.
Solution:
- Make an effort to incorporate accessibility concepts into the culture of the company.
- To make sure accessibility measures are still applicable and efficient, assess and update organisational policies on a regular basis.
- Include teaching strategies, resources, and procedures that are accessible to people with disabilities in educational settings.
- Adopt inclusive recruiting and workplace policies, such as developing programs that are inclusive of people with disabilities and an accessible application process.
Attitudinal barriers
Attitudinal barriers are behavioural barriers that arise from preconceived perceptions and assumptions about persons with disabilities. These barriers are often the consequence of people’s ignorance and inability to understand those with disabilities. There are many different ways that attitude obstacles might manifest. For example, people with impairments may be excluded from social and professional possibilities due to their perceived inferiority. Unconscious bias in recruiting and promotions can also result from preconceived notions about those with disabilities.
Solution:
- Attitudinal barriers can be overcome by spreading awareness and knowledge. Disability awareness training in schools, workplaces, and public institutions can challenge biases and promote understanding.
- Providing adequate representation to persons with disabilities in leadership and media can help dispel stereotypes.
Technological barriers
Technological barriers have become common with the rapid advancement and adoption of tech tools. Technological or digital barriers occur when a particular device or platform cannot be used with an assistive device, limiting access to information, employment, and essential services. For example, people with visual impairments find it challenging to use websites and apps that lack accessibility features like alternate text (Alt Text) to explain graphics. Similarly, people who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot watch videos that do not have captions or transcripts.
Solution:
- Ensure all content and digital platforms are designed in accordance with the IS 17802. Legally enforced since May 2023, this is the Indian standard that specifies a set of accessibility requirements for content.
- Offer multiple modes of interaction, including keyboard navigation and screen contrast adjustments.
- Include people with disabilities during product testing and development stages to ensure usability.
Communications barriers
Communication barriers occur when individuals with sensory disabilities, such as hearing or visual impairments, are prevented from sending and receiving information. For instance, teaching an educational course without an ISL (Indian Sign Language) interpretation excludes the deaf community. Similarly, using text where the print is too small or where no alternative communication formats like Braille is available creates barriers for those with visual impairments.
Solution:
- Provide real-time captioning for videos and ensure there is sign language interpretation in the classroom, meetings, and conferences.
- Simplify the language used and offer plain-text explanations alongside official reports to make it accessible to those with disabilities.
- Adopt AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication techniques like text-to-speech applications.
Policy and legal barriers
While there are set legal frameworks and guidelines for accessibility all around the world (including India), these regulations remain under-enforced. Inconsistent implementation results in persistent barriers for people with disabilities. Common policy-related barriers include the weak implementation of accessibility laws, non-compliance, and lack of accountability measures.
Solution:
- The Indian government has to enforce accessibility laws with greater vigour and create penalties for non-compliance.
- Offer accessible legal resources to people to help them understand their legal rights and seek due adjustments.
- Involve people with disabilities in policymaking to ensure laws meet the real-world needs and address practical challenges.
Conclusion
The goal of accessibility is to give everyone equitable access to both digital and physical venues, such as online marketplaces and offices and schools. The objective is to ensure that all people, including those with impairments, have access. Accessibility is hampered by a variety of organisational, technological, communication, physical, legal, and attitude barriers. These barriers can be eliminated with easy measures like installing ramps and elevators in shopping centres, banks, and NBFC s, using ISL and braille as accessible teaching languages, and developing inclusive hiring practices.