Asia Pacific Accessibility

This image is a logo of apna - Asia pacific network for accessibility, which written in a white font over a purple background.

OMG! Barriers!!

Persons with disabilities face a wide range of common barriers that can significantly impact their ability to participate fully in society. These barriers often overlap and create a cumulative effect.

 

Addressing these interconnected barriers requires a multi-faceted approach, including legislative
changes, universal design principles, technological advancements, education, and efforts to change
societal attitudes. Here's a breakdown of common barriers across different categories:

Physical Barriers:

Inaccessible buildings: Steps, curbs, narrow doorways, lack of ramps or elevators,  unaccommodating restrooms (e.g., no grab bars, insufficient space).

Public spaces: Uneven pavements, lack of curb cuts, obstacles on sidewalks, inaccessible public
facilities (e.g., drinking water unit, counters).

A woman in a red wheelchair, wearing a turquoise top and white pants, is navigating a paved area next to a large, uprooted tree trunk. She is looking to her left, seemingly at the challenge of the uneven terrain.
A woman in a yellow kurti and red leggings is walking down a grassy slope next to a road with a white guardrail. Cars and a yellow auto-rickshaw are visible in the background, along with buildings, trees, and utility poles. It is an overcast day.
A woman with a white cane is standing by an open manhole on a dirt path.
A group of three people, including a woman in a wheelchair on a red ramp, are at the base of stairs leading to a building. Two men are assisting her, one bent down near the wheelchair and the other holding the handles.
A group of people, some in wheelchairs, are gathered on the side of a road with a metal barrier. They are standing or sitting near a busy street with cars and a bus, and distinctive temple-like buildings are visible in the background. The weather is overcast.

Digital Barriers (Technological Barriers):

These relate to the inaccessibility of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Videos and audio: Lack of closed captioning for hearing impaired, no audio descriptions for visually impaired.

 

Hardware and software: Lack of assistive technology, or technology that is not compatible with assistive devices.

 

Affordability and digital literacy: High cost of accessible technology and lack of training on how to use
it.

Websites and applications:
· Insufficient color contrast (difficult for people with color blindness or low vision).
· Poor or missing alt text for images (prevents screen readers from describing visual content).
· Incorrect use of headings (disorients screen reader users and keyboard navigators).
· Lack of keyboard accessibility (many people with disabilities cannot use a mouse).
· Inaccessible forms (missing or unclear labels, bad CAPTCHA implementations).
· Non-descriptive link text(e.g., "Click here" instead of "Download Annual Report")
· Embedded inaccessible documents (e.g., untagged PDFs that screen readers can't interpret).
· Auto-playing videos or excessive animations (distracting and disruptive for assistive technology).

The image shows a man sitting infront of a computer talking on phone and a red cross is being displayed on the computer screen
A picture of women having a worried expression on her face.

Transportation Barriers:

These prevent people with disabilities from accessing and using various modes of transport.

Public transportation:
· Inoperable or absent lifts/ramps on buses and trains.
· Failure of drivers to stop for individuals with disabilities.
· Lack of level-entry boarding.
· Inaccessible stations and cars.
· Lack of timely and clear stop announcements (auditory and visual).
· Insufficient information at bus stops or stations.
· Long walking distances to stops/stations.

Paratransit services: Long hold times for booking, lack of communication accessibility for arranging trips, lack of door-to-door service when needed.

 

Infrastructure: Lack of accessible pedestrian crossings, narrow pathways, uneven surfaces, poor
design of kerb cuts.

The image of an elder women holding the bar of a train.
The image shows a woman who is pushing the stroller where a child is sitting.
The image shows a woman with a stroller.
The image shows an elder with a stick and is waiting for a train on the railway station
An image of an elder woman walking on train station with a basket in her hand and another woman is walking behind her

Communication Barriers:

These affect how people with disabilities receive and convey information.

For people with hearing impairments:
· Lack of sign language interpreters.
· No captioning or subtitles on videos/TV.
· Oral communications without accompanying manual interpretation.
· Background noise and distractions.

 

For people with vision impairments: * Small print or no large-print versions of materials. * No Braille or versions for screen readers. * Lack of auditory information (e.g., audio announcements in public
spaces). * Reliance on visual cues by communicators.

For people with cognitive/intellectual disabilities:
· Use of technical language, long sentences, complex vocabulary.
· Abstract concepts, acronyms, metaphors.
· Rapid speech.
· Questions phrased in a way that suggests a desired answer (leading to "yes-saying").
· Lack of visual aids or simplified information (e.g., Easy Read).
General communication barriers:
· People speaking to a companion rather than directly to the person with a disability.
· Assuming capabilities or preferences.
· Lack of patience or insufficient time for communication.

 

General communication barriers:
· People speaking to a companion rather than directly to the person with a disability.
· Assuming capabilities or preferences.
· Lack of patience or insufficient time for communication.

The image shows one woman and one man, where the woman is communicating with the man using sign language
The image shows a woman sitting in a chair, wearing glasses and reading using her hands. A small girl is standing next to the woman.
The image shows a woman in a wheelchair and a man having a conversation.

Policy and Programmatic Barriers:

These relate to inadequate laws, regulations, and practices that hinder inclusion.

Lack of awareness or enforcement: Policies requiring accessibility are not implemented or followed.

Inconvenient scheduling: Programs or services offered at times that are inaccessible.
Insufficient time: Not enough time allocated for medical examinations or procedures.
Denial of services: Eligible individuals being denied access to programs or benefits.
Non-inclusive policies: Policies that only accept one mode of expression or access.

A picture where a no.of women are in boat and two of them are in a wheelchair

Products & Equipment’s:

These relate to inadequate laws, regulations, and practices that hinder inclusion.

Equipment: Medical equipment that requires specific postures (e.g., mammography machines requiring
standing), lack of weight scales that accommodate wheelchairs.
Lack of accessible equipment/tools: In sport and physical activity, and generally in workplaces or
educational settings.

AI generated image of 4 wheelchair users with a basketball