How to know which barriers persons with disabilities face

June 3, 2015
Posted by: wssenyondo
Category: How to ,

Barriers are obstacles that persons with disabilities experience in work, in social life, and at home. The barriers may differ per person as persons with disabilities can have different disabilities, difference in the degree of difficulty, and also other differences, for example, being a woman, from an ethnic tribe, etc.

Barriers hinder persons with disabilities to participate on an equal basis like others. Although persons with disabilities do have their functional limitations, the environment and others can make it possible for them to participate, if they want.

For example, persons with a physical disability may experience limitations in moving around. They experience a barrier when community meetings take place in a building where people need to climb stairs. If a ramp would have been there, they would be able to come and participate in the community meeting.

Conducting a participatory barrier analysis

With a group of community members, conduct an appraisal of, for example, training facilities. Have a mixed group of women and men with and without disabilities, from a range of ages. Having a variety of people will also help raise issues regarding barriers based on age, gender, different abilities etc. Participants discuss the barriers and categorise them into the four barrier categories:

Attitudes.
Communication.

Accessibility.
Participation.

Tips

Ask persons with disabilities themselves about the barriers they face, and listen. Also ask about possible solutions.

Here is an example of what a participatory barrier analysis may look like:

Category	Barriers	Example
Attitudes	Negative attitudes	Disability is seen as inferior, incomplete, imperfect. Stereotyping, name calling (“your blind”) and bullying. Belief that a disability is a result of sin. Belief that a disability is evil and witchcraft.
Communication	Non-effective communication	Pictures and material are too small. Talking is too soft. Talking is too fast. Language used is too difficult. Gesturing without talking (for visually impaired people).
Accessibility	Inaccessible builldings	High steps. Narrow doors. Long distance to toilets. Lack of privacy. Nothing to hold onto. Lack of reading materials in Braille or large print for the Blind or persons with low vision.
Participation	Isolation	Persons with disabilities are not allowed to do things. They are not invited. Rules that discriminate i.e “need to be physically fit”, while that may not be necessary for the job. Meeting place too far away.