Accessibility and Inclusion: A Call to Action
Accessibility is a right, not a luxury
It’s true that money can buy accessibility—home adaptations, mobility aids, assistive technologies, and numerous services that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. However, this reality is not accessible to everyone. Accessibility is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right, as stated in Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which mandates states to ensure access to buildings, transportation, information, and services for all persons with disabilities (PWD). Disability varies from person to person.
Every individual is unique: physical, sensory, intellectual (autism, Down syndrome), or multiple disabilities. Inclusion must not remain a mere slogan. Services and technologies can transform lives, but their costs remain a barrier for many. Governments must act to ensure that everyone has access to inclusion, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 8, 10, and 11, as well as the African Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Home Adaptations
Homes can hinder autonomy: stairs without ramps, narrow doorways, bathrooms and kitchens that are inaccessible. Needed solutions include ramps, grab bars, wider doors, adapted kitchens, smart home solutions, guidance for visually impaired individuals, quiet spaces for those with autism or Down syndrome, and a preference for ground-floor apartments. This is a right according to Article 19 of the CRPD. Without these adaptations, dependence becomes inevitable.
One standard is not enough: we must consider the diversity of disabilities.
Mobility Aids
Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, prosthetics, and adapted vehicles allow PWD to move about and fully participate in society. Without support, many remain isolated. The African Protocol and SDG 10 remind that the state must make mobility accessible to all.
Assistive Technologies
Technologies improve life according to the type of disability:
- Physical: powered wheelchairs, prosthetics, voice controls
- Sensory: screen readers, digital braille, hearing aids, cochlear implants
- Intellectual or developmental: communication devices, educational apps, adapted software
Articles 21 and 24 of the CRPD and SDG 4 guarantee access to education, information, and communication for all PWD.
Health and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized care are essential for maintaining autonomy and preventing complications. Articles 25 and 26 of the CRPD ensure affordable access to care and rehabilitation. Without these services, dependence worsens, and quality of life decreases.
Transportation and Infrastructure: Cities Accessible to All
Adapted transportation, accessible sidewalks, elevators, tactile paving, and audible signals are vital. One standard is not enough: we must consider the diversity of disabilities. Article 9 of the CRPD and SDG 11 emphasize the right to inclusive and sustainable cities.
Education and employment must adapt to each individual.
Rural Areas and Poverty: Leaving No One Behind
In rural and low-income areas, access is limited: impassable roads, nonexistent transportation, inaccessible housing and services. Families cannot afford wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices, or home adaptations. SDG 10 and the African Protocol remind that states must prioritize assistance for these communities.
Education and Employment: Include Everyone
Education and employment must adapt to each individual: adapted classes and educational materials, support staff, and personalized professional accommodations. Articles 24 and 27 of the CRPD guarantee these rights. Denying these accommodations deprives society of valuable talents.
Role of States
Governments must:
- Fund adaptations and appropriate devices
- Ensure the accessibility of schools, hospitals, transportation, and public spaces
- Prioritize rural and disadvantaged areas
- Enforce laws and policies in line with the CRPD, SDGs, and the African Protocol.
Accessibility is not charity: it is a duty, a right, and a measure of social justice.
Accessibility is Justice for All
Money can buy accessibility for a few, but justice requires that it be available for everyone. PWD—whether physical, sensory, intellectual, or multiple—must be able to live independently, learn, work, and fully participate in society. Accessibility means dignity. Accessibility means equality. Accessibility is a right, not a privilege.