Equitable Access to the Built Environment for People with Disability

Abstract

The overarching goal of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was to foster inclusivity in all aspects of living. However, equitable access to the built environment is a long way from being reached. This research examines the barriers to inclusive access. It considers the perspectives of people with disability and the sometimes-conflicting constraints that different impairments place on building design. Next it examines the perspectives of building professionals involved in the design and management of public buildings. Finally, it presents case study assessments of the accessibility of shops, libraries and restaurants in New Zealand, and highlights features that need improvement. The results show that accessibility remains limited, particularly in small restaurants and shops. The attitude and awareness of building professionals and employees is a barrier to improving accessibility, indicating the importance of training programs. In addition, accessibility legislation needs to be improved and enforced. Finally, the government should subsidize accessibility features in buildings and people with disability should be involved in the building design process in order to move closer to genuinely inclusive access for everyone.