Barriers to Access

Conditions in any structural environment that prevent or impede an individual with a disability from efficiently navigating the setting. This barrier may result from the design of the building, shape of rooms, size of doorways, or width of hallways. For example: 

• Steps and curbs that block a person with mobility impairment from entering a building or using a sidewalk.
• Inaccessible event or meeting spaces.
• Accessibility features, such as automatic doors, are broken and not fixed promptly.

When a person with a disability cannot easily receive and/or understand information that is available to others. For example:

• Written communications or learning materials with barriers that prevent people with vision impairments from receiving the message. These include the use of small print or no large-print versions of materials, and no Braille or versions for people who use screen readers.
• Auditory communications may be inaccessible to people with hearing impairments, including videos that do not include captioning, and oral communications without accompanying manual interpretation (such as, American Sign Language).
• The use of technical language, long sentences, and words with many syllables may be significant barriers to understanding for people with cognitive impairment.

Software, electronic or physical technologies that are not adaptable for use with assistive devices. For example: 

• A website or a webpage that does not support screen-reading software or does not provide alternative text for images.
• Having only one way for individuals to contact you, for example, only by phone.
• Emails or other electronic communications not accessible to people who use screen readers.

Policies, practices or procedures that result in some people receiving unequal access or being excluded. For example: 

• People with disabilities are excluded from a public lecture, commencement ceremony, athletics event, or career fair because it is held where physical or communication barriers prevent people with disabilities from participating.
• An extra-curricular or employee benefit program requires use of an inaccessible office, form, or procedure without an effective accessible alternative or reasonable modification.