Access - A Necessity or a Privilege?
In a world designed for the so-called normal individuals, access—whether physical, digital, or social—becomes a complex issue and, many times, a far-reaching dream for people with disabilities. We take for granted the ability to enter a building, communicate seamlessly, or even navigate the digital world. But for millions of people with disabilities, access is not just a right; it's a fundamental necessity that dictates one’s independence, participation in society, and quality of life. Yet, access remains elusive, a battle to be fought every day. Thus the question arises: is access a basic necessity, or is it a privilege that only a few are able to enjoy??
Accessibility is the design of products, environments, programs, and services that are usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. It includes:
Understanding Disability and Accessibility
The United Nations estimates that over 1 billion people live with some form of disability, constituting about 15% of the world’s population. For a person without a disability, accessing a classroom, a workplace, or even a website might not require a second thought. However, for people with disabilities, barriers to access exist everywhere—stairs with no ramps, communication without sign language interpreters, websites without screen reader compatibility, and public transport without adequate provisions.
Among this cohort, particularly for women with disabilities accessibility is not just about convenience — it is about independence, dignity, and opportunity. Yet, access remains limited, revealing a disturbing gap between necessity and privilege. Through this article we'll dive into the key areas where accessibility is either lacking or non-existent: physical, infrastructural, and digital access.
Women with Disabilities: Facing Double Disadvantage
Women with disabilities are often marginalized not just because of their disability, but also due to their gender. The intersectionality of being both a woman and disabled exposes them to increased vulnerability and exclusion. Globally, women with disabilities are often treated as second-class citizens, both within their own communities and in broader society. The lack of access to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare disproportionately affects them, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and dependence. There are also stark differences in terms of social inclusion and participation in community activities as compared to their male peers.
Healthcare accessibility is another major concern for women with disabilities. Many healthcare facilities are physically inaccessible, and discriminatory attitudes from healthcare providers add to the challenges.
Women with Hearing Impairment
Public services, workplaces, healthcare facilities, and social environments are often designed without their needs in mind. Basic accommodations such as sign language interpreters, voice to text real-time transcription, or captioned media are rarely available, making it difficult for them to access vital services and opportunities.?
For example, public announcements in transport systems or phone-based customer service systems are inaccessible. Uncaptioned videos, webinars without sign language interpretation, and apps that fail to account for the needs of the hearing-impaired further lead to isolation.
Women with Locomotor Disability
Ramps, wide doorways, accessible toilets, and functional elevators are still not universally available in many public and private spaces. This lack of access confines women with locomotor disabilities to their homes, affecting their independence and overall quality of life.
For example, accessing a metro might not be possible for many women. In many cases, even if access to the metro is available, accessing toilets and washrooms in public spaces is a huge challenge. Many public areas do not consider access as a primary criterion during construction, and it may hinder one’s independence and privacy.
In India, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 mandates accessible infrastructure, yet in practice, finding a wheelchair-accessible apartment or public washroom is a daunting task. Similarly, workplaces often fail to comply with accessibility laws, forcing women with disabilities to navigate buildings that lack ramps, elevators, or accessible bathrooms, creating an environment of exclusion.
Women with Visual Impairment
Public spaces and signage are often not designed with visually impaired individuals in mind. The absence of tactile paths, lack of braille on signs, and non-accessible transportation further leads to marginalization. Many online platforms remain inaccessible for women with visual impairments. Websites without screen reader compatibility, videos lacking descriptive audio, and apps relying heavily on visual content contribute to the digital divide.
Assistive technology, such as screen readers and braille displays, can help bridge the gap. However, this technology remains inaccessible for many due to high costs or lack of availability. Even in educational settings, women with visual impairments often do not receive the assistive devices they need to succeed.
The way forward in building an inclusive society would be to:
Access is not a luxury; it is a basic right that should be available to everyone, regardless of their background and diversity. While progress has been made, much work remains to be done to ensure that access is truly a necessity—and not a privilege—for all.