Consideration of what accessibility means

Our second activity this week introduces improved access to health care for people with disabilities. In this step, Dorothy Boggs (LSHTM) explores ways to overcome different types of access barriers for people with disabilities presenting possible solutions for accessibility for all.

In Step 2.11 Accessing health services, Dorothy presented different types of access barriers and identified these in a health clinic setting diagram.

In this video, she discusses the human right and importance of accessibility for all, especially people with disabilities, as supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). She presents the concept of universal design and then discusses ways to overcome different types of access barriers for people with disabilities. We review the health clinic setting diagram and identify solutions to overcome the various access barriers that were identified.

The presentation concludes with a proposed example of overcoming a communication barrier. Lorraine Wapling, who presented Step 2.9 Sexual and reproductive health case study, emphasises the importance of communication with Deaf people and introduces a British sign language greeting.

In the ‘See Also’ section below, see additional examples of accessibility resources, including an EasyRead version of the UNCRPD, a website for learning international sign language, an example of an accessibility audit guide and a collection of accessibility guides as strategies for inclusive development.

What are your thoughts and experiences about overcoming access barriers? Have you ever conducted an accessibility audit? What are your proposed solutions for accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comments area below.

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