areas of availability

Accessibility is a key element in creating an inclusive society that enables everyone to fully participate in public life. It covers four main areas:

1. Physical Accessibility

  • Goal: Ensure that physical spaces are accessible to all users, including people with disabilities.
  • Examples:
    • Equal access to buildings thanks to ramps, elevators and automatic doors.
    • Spacious corridors and special parking spaces.
    • Guidance for blind people, such as tactile or audible indications.

2. Digital Accessibility

  • Goal: Create digital technologies and content that are accessible to all users.
  • Examples:
    • Websites that comply with WCAG guidelines (e.g. color contrast, scalable fonts).
    • Multimedia materials with subtitles and audio description.
    • Screen reader-compatible and keyboard-driven interfaces.

3. Accessibility of Communication

  • Goal: To enable effective exchange of information without barriers.
  • Examples:
    • Sign language translation.
    • Materials in Braille or easy-to-read and understand versions.
    • Communication aids for people with speech difficulties.

4. Program/Political Accessibility

  • Goal: To ensure that services, programs and policies address the needs of all population groups.
  • Examples:
    • Regulations promoting inclusive workplace practices.
    • Educational programs adapted to the needs of people with various disabilities.
    • Crisis plans that take into account the requirements of people with special needs.

5. Social and Cultural Accessibility

  • Description: Ensuring that diverse social and cultural groups have equal access to spaces, services and opportunities.
  • Examples:
    • Designing public spaces that are open and friendly to people from different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds.
    • Taking into account linguistic differences through multilingual signage and information materials.

6. Economic Availability

  • Description: Removing financial barriers that prevent the use of space, services or products.
  • Examples:
    • Introducing cheaper public transport options for people on lower incomes.
    • Availability of assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers) at affordable prices or free of charge.
    • Housing projects that take into account the needs of people with limited financial resources.

7. Psychological Availability

  • Description: Creating spaces and services that are safe and comfortable for users emotionally and mentally.
  • Examples:
    • Designing “quiet” places in public spaces for people with sensory hypersensitivity.
    • Ensuring the availability of psychological help and support in the work or school environment.
    • Educational campaigns changing the perception of disability, reducing stigma.

8. Technological Accessibility

  • Description: Eliminating barriers related to access to modern technologies and digital tools.
  • Examples:
    • Internet access programmes in digitally excluded regions.
    • Development of easy-to-use interfaces for older people and those who are not technologically advanced.

9. Educational Accessibility

  • Description: Ensuring that educational processes are inclusive and consider the needs of all learners.
  • Examples:
    • Using a variety of teaching methods, such as multimedia, tactile models or remote forms of education.
    • Adapting teaching materials to the needs of people with learning disabilities.

10. Sensory Accessibility

  • Description: Taking into account the different sensory requirements of users when designing spaces.
  • Examples:
    • Minimizing noise in public spaces.
    • Creating spaces with tactile, olfactory and visual elements for people with various sensory needs.

Summary

Accessibility is not just about adapting space or technology, but also about changing the approach to design, communication and policy. It includes physical, digital, communication and organizational aspects. Only a holistic approach can ensure a truly inclusive society.