Accessibility

When we think of the word “Accessibility” we think of many things and what it means for us, but we can never leave off what accessibility means from the perspective of disabled people. Things are accessible when they account everyone. things are accessible when it’s easy to use without others help. Accessibility is the first thing many people, especially those who are disabled think of when they have something in mind such as Is it inclusive? can I participate? can I access it without external help?

Figure 1; a picture of four different disability signs like disabled person on wheelchair, face with no eyes, ear with canceling sign, and a person with cane.

Figure 2: a parking sign with a person on wheelchair to indicate the parking is only for disabled people

Throughout history and cultural context, accessibility wasn’t favorable for those who needed it the most. For many years accessibility and inclusiveness of disabled people weren’t in the range. accessibility in a cultural context perspective is not much different from the history and theory. Most people tend to believe that disability is a way of punishment for ancestors’ sin. This belief results for people to see disabled people in some kind way. Disabled people’s needs didn’t matter enough to make a necessary change. In the past time when buildings were built, they don’t really account if it was going to be accessible for all people. It could be caused due to carelessness or spending less money. During the civil rights movement, disabled people’s voices had a chance to be heard. Davis, Lennard. beginning with disability a primer. “Activists protested when laws concerning disabled people weren’t enforced, and they protested when there were laws on the books that discriminated against people with disabilities. They also protested when they wanted new laws and regulations made. Some of the issues that concerned these activists were and are about accessible public and private transportation, voting rights, access to public and private accommodations like movie theaters, hotels, stores, and restaurants, and the right to live independently.” (Lennard j. Davis, beginning with disability, pg. 5). even though the meaning of accessibility doesn’t really have same impact on other people but the impact that has on disabled people is more than a term or word, it is about being inclusive in the world. 

Figure 3:a person on wheelchair at treatment center being treated by health profession

  Written by Kaleab Tamene