What Accessibility Means to the Disabled Community

Before I became disabled, I did not think much about accessibility.

We tend not to, when things are not directly affecting us. That is, until we need it, too.

When you find much of your life suddenly revolving around accessibility, you begin to view the world through a very different lens. Hobbies cannot be accessed. Doorways that seemed fine are almost all blocked by at least one step in its entrance.

Our world was built for able-bodied ideals, leaving disabled individuals in ways that many do not realise. Every inaccessible building, every taxi that turns us away, every ‘back entrance’ that you are ushered through feels like a reiteration of the same dreaded message: ‘you do not belong.’

It feels as though this world you were born into was not made for you. Every form of inaccessibility faced is another push out of the places that you had never questioned your place in.

It is as simple as this: accessibility means freedom.

It lets us exist beyond our homes and reconnect with the world. It’s about more than getting a seat at the table; it’s about getting through the door with dignity. Just like any other human being, we are reliant on a sense of connection not only to survive, but to find a way to thrive. And there is more to it than just the physical sense.

Accessibility does not only apply to wheelchair users, or regarding mobility issues. The literal definition is ‘the quality of being able to be reached or entered.’ At its core, this means that any person’s limitations or needs should not be a reason they cannot access something. Every person deserves an equal opportunity.

Accessibility is equality.

Misunderstandings often surround accessibility advocacy. When people haven’t experienced barriers themselves, offering equality can feel like something’s being taken away. The reality is much simpler. There is no one that does not benefit from accessibility.

Accessibility benefits everyone. A ramp doesn’t remove stairs; subtitles don’t change the film. These options exist to open the world to all, just as ORA’s WAV rentals make transport inclusive, allowing everyone to experience the freedom they deserve.

I am of the belief that we cannot state to have achieved true accessibility until a disabled individual can have the exact same experience as their able-bodied counterpart.

There is a reason that I felt so emotional when I first discovered ORA. For the first time, there was a service that put people are the forefront of their mission. Finally, there was a place where I was not just ‘the disabled one’ – I was simply me, respected and empowered. That is what happens when a business operates from a transparent approach: it grants freedom, without the typical hidden costs or frustrations that are all too often faced by the disabled community.

That is what accessibility has the power to do. It makes people feel seen, heard, and welcomed. When you are committed to that approach, it can be life changing. This is what accessibility should be. And with ORA, it is.

Accessibility can mean something different to us all. At Open Road Access, we want to know what accessibility means to you – what is something accessibility has granted you, that would not have been possible otherwise? Let us know for the chance to be featured in one of our future newsletters!