Accessibility
  
II. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
E. Social and economic aspects of accessibility
Prof. Robert Metts reviewed the evolution of thinking about disability - from a medical
issue to a social construct - and its impact on policy frameworks concerning persons with
disabilities and the political economy of disability. He noted that initially disability
was characterised as a medical problem to be prevented or overcome. Disabilities were
characterised as technical problems and were addressed by type, which resulted in the
segregation of persons with disabilities in type-based institutions and in type-based
advocacy groups. Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities emerged as a major policy and
programme response by Governments in the United States, during the 1920s, and then in
Europe as a means to return persons with disabilities to the work place and reduce thereby
the costs of their institutionalisation. The focus of rehabilitation activities was on
adapting person with disabilities to the work place rather than modifying the work place
to accommodate persons with disabilities
New policy directions concerning persons with disabilities are characterised by a focus
on the broad rights of persons with disabilities. For instance, the expanded
conceptualisation of disability embodied in the International Classification of
Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps - 2 (Geneva, World Health Organisation) provides a
significantly improved classification framework for research and policy analysis: (a)
rehabilitation and assistive technologies are described in connection with reduction of
functional limitations based on impairments; (b) social policies can alter the
environmental context in which persons with disabilities function; and (c) rehabilitation
and social policy can increase social and economic opportunities available to persons with
disabilities.
Such policy frameworks are inclusive and participatory. The World Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons has two goals: full participation of persons with
disabilities, and equality. The Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities provide a framework for advocacy of policies and programmes to
further equalisation of opportunities of persons with disabilities.
The data suggest, however, a significant gap between policy objectives and results
achieved in terms of improvements in levels of living and livelihoods of persons with
disabilities.
In designing and evaluating policy options related to persons with disabilities, it is
important to take into account three basic phases of social and physical integration: (a)
surviving a disability (a medical issue), (b) becoming self-reliant (an environmental
issue) and (c) gaining full and effective social access (a social participation issue).
However, the data available suggest that it is virtually impossible to measure
accurately the value of the social and economic output lost as a result of architectural
barriers in the physical environment for at least two reasons: (a) accurate disability
statistics are not available on a scale required for such an analysis; and (b) output lost
to disability is a composite function of the interrelated elements that restrict
activities and limit the participation of persons with disabilities.
The analysis of available data does suggest a need for improved data and statistics
related to persons with disabilities as well as improved formulation of policy options and
legislation that promote environmental accessibility for all.
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