Go to homepage

Glossary

In our communications, we use several terms to address our audiences as accurately as possible. These definitions help to better understand the nuances between the terms.

1 What is a disability?

According to the World Health Organization, “disability” is the limitation of an individual’s ability to interact with their environment, caused by an impairment that results in a permanent or temporary incapacity, and leads to moral, intellectual, social and/or physical difficulties.

Therefore, if the environment meets the specific needs linked to a person’s impairment, that person is not disabled.
“A person with a disability in an accessible environment is a non-disabled person; conversely, a non-disabled person in an inaccessible environment is a disabled person.” [1]

2 What is a person with reduced mobility?

A person is considered to have “reduced mobility” when their movements are hindered due to their size, condition (pregnant woman, person carrying shopping, delivery staff), age, illness, permanent or temporary disability, or the use of devices and aids to get around.
Accessibility applies everywhere: in buildings, on public transport, in streets and parks, in housing, on websites…
It concerns everyone, at any point in life.

3 Why does Access-i refer to “people with specific needs”?

Everyone has needs. For people with physical, sensory, mental or psychological limitations, these needs are even more specific.
For example, they may concern access to buildings, use of on-site facilities, participation in activities, and verbal or written communication.

If the person’s needs are not met, they are then considered to be “in a disabling situation”.

By meeting the specific needs of that person, we avoid putting them in a disabling situation.

It is therefore the environment that is not adapted to the person (and not the other way around).

By acting on the environment, we can reduce the difficulties experienced on site.
This way, the needs of a person with reduced mobility are met. Thanks to these adjustments, and despite their impairments, they are no longer “in a disabling situation”. They can take part in activities “just like everyone else”.
[1] Louis-Pierre Grosbois, A public space for all.
[2] Source: The Wallonia-Brussels Accessibility Collective (CAWaB): https://cawab.be/-Missions-.html

When Access-i audits a place open to the public, it provides information for 7 families of people with specific needs:

 

  • People who use a wheelchair
  • People with reduced mobility
  • Blind people
  • People with low vision
  • Deaf people
  • Hard of hearing people
  • People with comprehension difficulties