What is Accessibility? – Definition, Uses, Features and More

Accessibility Definition

Accessibility is the quality of what is accessible. The adjective accessible, meanwhile, refers to what is simple understanding or understanding.

We can relate it to the following terms:

• Architectural accessibility: referred to as public and private buildings.
• Urban accessibility: referred to the local or physical environment.
• Accessibility in transport: referred to as public means of transportation.
• Accessibility in communication: referring to individual and collective information.
• Electronic accessibility: it is the ease of access to ICTs and content on the Internet, for anyone with a disability, elderly or circumstantial deprivation.

Currently, accessibility is no longer synonymous with the removal of physical barriers to adopting a preventive and broad dimension, generalizable to all types of spaces, products, and services.

On the other hand, it is a fundamental variable to guarantee compliance with the principle of equal opportunities.

Gradually becoming a general recognition, as an improvement in the quality of life of all citizens.

Uses

The concept of accessibility, therefore, is used to name the degree or level at which any human being, beyond his physical condition or cognitive faculties, can use one thing, enjoy a service or make use of infrastructure.

There are several technical aids to boost accessibility and match the possibilities of all people.

It means that a space that has the right accessibility conditions can receive all kinds of people without any damage or complication for anyone.

Ramps for the disabled, wheelchairs, the Braille alphabet, and auditory cues are some of these technical aids.

Accessibility implies a right that gives an individual the concrete and real possibility of entering, staying, and touring a place with security, comfort, and the highest possible autonomy.

Accessibility in Computing

Since the first versions of Windows, which is still the most popular operating system worldwide, Microsoft has introduced tools to assist users with various disabilities.

One of the first examples is the option to magnify a portion of the desk for easy reading. This virtual magnifying glass, which appeared almost two decades ago, was one of the first attempts to help people with sight problems read texts with small sources.

Nowadays, the flexibility of the programs is such that resizing their content is as essential as the rest of the functions.

The command through the voice is also very popular. It consists of talking to the computer to ask you to perform a wide variety of tasks: open programs, select words, and click on a link, among many others.

Another beneficial purpose of this tool is the dictation of text for the writing of documents without using your hands.

Finally, we have assistance to colorblind and hearing-impaired people. Those who have trouble distinguishing specific colors often find options to cope with them. For example, giving each color a particular pattern or design.

Concerning the audition, for some years, Youtube works in its automatic subtitle generator; Although the result is not perfect, this component is handy. Since in most videos the authors do not take that work.

Features

Accessibility allows anyone to have and use buildings, services, or products on equal terms as others.

It also understands that the relationship with the three primary forms of human activity: mobility, communication, and understanding.

The three subject to limitation as a consequence of the existence of barriers (Alonso 2002; Alonso 2003).

Accessibility provides flexibility in adapting to the needs of each user. And also, aims at making the system ready for the broadest number of users.

It opens the possibility that it is accessed and used by as many people as possible. Regardless of the individual’s limitations or those derived from the context of use.

Accessibility means that it is easily accessible by anyone. It is the characteristic that allows environments, products, and services to use without problems by all people, to achieve the objectives for which it has designed (Alonso 2003).