You have all heard the word “accessible” but what does it truly mean?

In my day-to-day life, I often come into contact with businesses, organisations, societies etc that state that they are “accessible” without them really understanding this term. So what does “accessible” actually mean and does the understanding of non-disabled people comprehend the need for increased accessibility?

In its simplest term, “accessible” means that a service is useable but does this cover it?

As an example, I regularly see guides, be it a hotel guide or maybe even a restaurant guide that list wheelchair accessibility but in practice this is, in fact, at a minimum and rarely looks beyond the obvious.

As a wheelchair user myself, I have visited many a place where I can't get in – yes they have a ramp but no door widening has taken place. If I do manage to enter, can I be certain that there is an accessible toilet or more importantly, is there a sufficient turning circle.

Take the term “accessible” away from restaurants to your average high street shop. Am I able to browse or are the racks too tightly packed together that even a size zero would struggle to negotiate their way through. How about paying? – are the tills lowered and, as recently highlighted on a previous blog, are the chip and pin machines available?

And what about the staff and their attitude? Are they aware of the needs of disabled people or will they try everything to avoid speaking to you?

How different the term “accessible” would be if a more prominent role in such matters was taken by disabled people. It is increasingly more obvious that the true meaning of “accessible” is not understood by most people and certainly not in the context that I use it.

What use is there for a ramp to an entrance if at the doorway there is a step?

What use is there for an accessible parking bay if there are no dropped kerbs?

A step, no turning circle or even an ignorant member of staff only equates to “inaccessible”