Access Matters
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Accessibility is all about people young, old, with a visual impairment, people using a wheelchair, walking frame or other mobility aids, people with physical impairments such as arthritis. Says BJ Clark, a trained Barrier Free auditor who is able to carry out accessibility audits and give advice on accessibility issues. What they all have in common is that they want the same opportunities as everyone in society. That means going to work, the movies, shopping, being able to enjoy a social and love life. It means being able to contribute to the community, meet up with and enjoy being with their friends, have the same holiday opportunities as others, being educated up to a tertiary level with non-disabled peers, being able to travel without fuss using public transport. Access is about making all these things possible.
The Building Act recognises that disabled people are an important part of the community and any barrier which prevents them from participating in the social and economic life of that community must be eliminated. Accessibility not only means access for disabled people, but it also ensures efficiency, comfort and convenience for everybody else.
It is a practical matter not an emotional issue, BJ concludes.
Find out more about where access matters by clicking on the left hand buttons under Access Matters (highlighted).