Attitudes on Accessibility

Following up to Monday’s post, I wanted to talk a little about attitudes on accessibility and specifically, the differences I’ve seen in North America, the UK and mainland Europe.

Before getting into specifics, I feel comfortable saying that from a very broad perspective, the overall opinion is the same; everyone, everywhere has the right as human being to be part of society, regardless of impairment. Now how that actually translates into day-day activities, can vary greatly.

Based on recent statistics, it is clear that North America is ahead of the game when it comes to regulation and legislation. Europe however, is not far behind and might even surpass North America in the next decade – guess we’ll have to wait and see.

What I found interesting was that in North America, most individuals with impairments (visual or otherwise) have done a far better job pushing business and government to provide accessible products, services and information.

In the UK, we visited a small coffee shop that was in fact, inaccessible to someone in a wheelchair or, who may be blind or visually impaired. The interesting thing was that they had a sign (in very accessible print I might add) that said anyone with a disability who needs help should simply ask, and the staff would be more then willing to help them in, read the menu and overall, assist them as needed. I’m certain they exist somewhere, but I’ve yet to see a similar sign in the US or Canada.

As I continued my recent journey through France, Germany and Austria, I found a host of similar signs and attitudes, and made a point of asking small business owners their opinion on the matter. Most people looked at me like I was from another planet, as if I was wrong in not realizing this was the norm – I have to admit I was very impressed in general on the attitude.

Once I made it to Croatia, and had a chance to evaluate my father’s new fast food restaurant, I asked him the same question; “How accessible is your establishment?”

Again, I received a strange look, this time from my father! He simply said they would be happy to help anyone, and in fact, have already had a number of clients in wheelchairs as well as blind and visually impaired. No one ever complained about the lack of an accessible entrance, a Braille menu or other aids to assist this community.

In speaking with a few people in wheelchairs as well as some fully blind individuals, no one ever complained about the lack of accessibility – people are simply willing to help, and often do.

In the US/Canada I find a different attitude most of the time. It seems we are forced into providing accessibility at some level, and the general consensus is more negative than in Europe.

I’m not disagreeing with either approach, and in the case of say accessible ramps they are beneficial, I think about the mother pushing a stroller who can easily push a button and have doors open for them.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is and should be a balance between what businesses have to do, and empowering businesses in general to be willing to help any customer. When it comes to electronic issues such as websites and documents, its obvious that legislation is required to make certain we provide information and services that are in fact, accessible to all.

The dividing line is in physically seeing someone. It is easy to dismiss web or document accessibility because we don’t actually “see” the person that needs it. Its much harder to ignore when someone in a wheelchair is sitting outside your door, hoping to order some french fries:)