Accessibility
Definition
Accessibility is an extensive concept, which includes the usability of amenities and environments by persons with disabilities (UNICEF, 2014). Environments include all physical spaces, for instance schools and playgrounds. Amenities include facilities, for example desks in a classroom.
Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is related to accessibility, it stipulates:
‘To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas. These measures, which shall include the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, shall apply to, inter alia:
a) Buildings, roads, transportation and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces;
b) Information, communications and other services, including electronic services and emergency services’.
References
UN General Assembly. 2007. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly. A/RES/61/106. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). 2014. Access to School and the Learning Environment I – Physical, Information and Communication: Webinar 10 – Companion Technical Booklet. New York: UNICEF. Retrieved from: https://www.unicef.org/northmacedonia/media/4101/file/MK_AccessToLearning_I_Report_ENG.pdf
To explore further
Agarwal, A. 2020. School accessibility and universal design in school infrastructure. Background paper prepared for the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report: Inclusion and education. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373656/PDF/373656eng.pdf.multi
UNESCO-Global Education Monitoring Report. 2020. Global Education Monitoring Report, 2020: Inclusion and education: all means all. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373718?posInSet=5&queryId=e9ba7d33-6a56-4dd8-9b68-83692551fe1c