It's as if people think we are doing this for somebody who does not exist. The main thrust of my presentation will relate to the needs of people with disabilities, but there are many aspects of access that go beyond them. The needs of people with mobility impairment, those in wheelchairs, come to mind first when thinking of disabilities. If their needs are taken care of in our facilities and programs, the needs of many other users are also satisfied better. Access management can be used to encourage or prevent access depending on our objectives.
Barriers can be attitudinal, physical, social, or communicative.
This is what we did in the 1970's. You spent the first several years of your life totally dependent on others, but you probably forgot what it was like. Most of us are lucky enough to be temporarily able-bodied most of our lives. We must remember that we didn't start that way, and we may not finish that way. With improved health care and longer lives, most of us in this room will outlive our ability to get around and about in a normal way.