The AODA and Customer Service Standard talks about removing barriers to accessibility, what are some barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities?

We go to work. We go shopping. We take in a movie and grab a bite to eat afterwards. Most of us don't think twice about it. But that's not always the case for people with disabilities.People with disabilities often don't do many of the activities that most of us take for granted. It's not because they don't want to. It's because they can't. That's because barriers stop them.


Barriers are obstacles. Barriers make shopping, working, going to a movie or taking public transit difficult, sometimes impossible, for people with disabilities.

There are many kinds of barriers.


Architectural and physical barriers are features of buildings or spaces that cause problems for people with disabilities. Examples are:


* hallways and doorways that are too narrow for a person using a wheelchair, electric scooter or walker
* counters that are too high for a person of short stature
* poor lighting for people with low vision
* doorknobs that are difficult for people with arthritis to grasp
* parking spaces that are too narrow for a driver who uses a wheelchair
* telephones that are not equipped with telecommunications devices for people who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing

Information or communications barriers happen when a person can't easily understand information. Examples are:

* print is too small to read
* websites that can't be accessed by people who do are not able to use a mouse
* signs that are not clear or easily understood

Attitudinal barriers are those that discriminate against people with disabilities. Examples are:

* thinking that people with disabilities are inferior
* assuming that a person who has a speech impairment can't understand you

Technology barriers occur when a technology can't be modified to support various assistive devices. An example is:

* a website that doesn't support screen-reading software


Organizational barriers are an organization's policies, practices or procedures that discriminate against people with disabilities. An example is:

* a hiring process that is not open to people with disabilities

Have you experienced any barriers to accessibility? Do you create barriers? How can you remove barriers in your company while delivering your premium product and/or service?

These tips are adapted from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the regulator of the AODA and all it's standards. Please refer to www.accesson.ca for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca