Accessibility and built environments

Creating built environments and facilities that are accessible and user-friendly equally to all, with safety and with dignity, is a right protected by law in many jurisdictions. It is an indispensable pre-requisite for social inclusion, focusing on equal opportunity and diversity.[1]

Accessibility to the built environment affects a large number of people within society in their day-to-day normal life, concerning their safety and physical, mental and social well being. Even a single step can deny entry to a person pulling a suitcase on wheels, or a person using a wheelchair or even pose a safety hazard to anyone with impaired vision.

Built Environments that do not comply with safety and accessibility standards, especially toilets and wash areas, ramps, steps and doorways, are often safety hazards posing unwanted risks to precious human lives, especially to increasing huge sectors of populations concerning the elderly, pregnant mothers, those with numerous debilitating conditions, those carrying small children and heavy luggage and also the dis-Abled persons.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Imperative national need - Implementing the Supreme Court Order on Accessibility
  2. ↑ Abayasekara, Anne (2008-06-04). "Access Ability For All. Why You?". Midweek Review. Upali Newspapers - The Island. Retrieved 2009-03-15. It was an evening to remember at the Taj Samudra Hotel on May 28th when a representative gathering of invitees met for the launch of a remarkable book focusing on the imperative need for an environment that meets the needs of all people – including those with reduced mobility for whatever reason - was launched and then distributed free to all who were present as a community service initiative".
    "This book makes it very clear how and why an inclusive and enabling environment would be advantageous to all citizens and convince everyone that lack of access to built environments is an important National issue. Age inexorably takes it toll at some time and accidents or sickness can befall anyone at any time. The book itself is exceedingly well put together, with an array of articles from a number of eminent people with experience in this area of making the environment an inclusive one for all segments of society.
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