Barriers are obstacles — things that get in the way of people with disabilities doing many of the day-to-day activities that most of us take for granted.
Barriers make shopping, working, going to school, taking in a movie, or taking public transit difficult, sometimes impossible, for people with disabilities.
Some barriers are visible — like a building that has steps but no ramp. Others are invisible — like thinking that that a person with a speech impairment can’t understand you.
There are many kinds of barriers.
Architectural and physical barriers are features of buildings or spaces that cause problems for people with disabilities.
Example: A hallway or a doorway that is too narrow for a person who uses a wheelchair, electric scooter or walker.
Information or communications barriers happen when a person can’t easily understand information.
Example: Signs that are not clear or easily understood.
Attitudinal barriers are those that discriminate against people with disabilities.
Example: Thinking that people with disabilities are inferior.
Technology barriers occur when a technology can’t be modified to support various assistive devices.
Example: A website that doesn’t support screen-reading software.
Systemic barriers are an organization’s policies, practices or procedures that discriminate against people with disabilities.
Example: A hiring process that is not open to people with disabilities.