Some Reflections on Accessibility

What does it mean? Where can one learn more?

People with disabilities and those who advocate for them often express concern about those who have disabilities being included in what those without disabilities consider every-day activities, events, and opportunities. One aspect of being included is not having barriers to those activities, events, and opportunities: Access!

Accessibility is often characterized as a feature of the physical environment. Is there a handicapped accessible entrance for a building? Is one’s use of a restroom impeded by barriers or problems related to the arrangement of facilities? Can one use public transportation?

It has been an issue since well before special education law (see, e.g., Dalvi & Martin, 1976; Hansen, 1959). Despite the advances associated with passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility continues to be important (Moseley, 2023, but originally published in 1979).