Barriers to Accessibility

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act states that by 2025, Ontario will be barrier free and completely accessible.  What does barriers mean?  In terms of accessibility, barriers are obstacles. A barrier is anything that keeps someone with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability. Barriers to accessibility are obstacles that make it difficult — sometimes impossible — for people with disabilities to do the things most of us take for granted — things like going shopping, working, or taking public transit.

When we think of barriers to accessibility, most of us think of physical barriers — like a person who uses a wheelchair not being able to enter a public building because there is no ramp. This is a visible barrier.  The following are other visible barriers:

There are architectural barriers.  These result from not designing a building to allow access for all people. 

Information and communication barriers make difficult for people to receive or convey information.  This means that printed materials and the use of language need to be clear and easy to understand.

Technology barriers are those that prevent people from accessing information.  This means that computers and any other technology have to be designed and set up with accessibility in mind. 

The fact is there are many kinds of barriers. Some are visible. Many are invisible.  When you think about accessibility, it is important to be aware of both visible and invisible barriers.

Attitudinal barriers are the most difficult barrier to overcome.  Some people don’t know how to communicate with others with visible and invisible disabilities.  This means that based on an attitude, someone may offend people with disabilities by making assumptions.  This means that people with disabilities are not included. 

Systemic barriers can result from an organization’s policies, practices and procedures if they restrict people with disabilities, often unintentionally, from being included in a service.

What are some barriers that are present for customers with disabilities?  How can these barriers to be removed? 

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 @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca