Physical access

What this means

Physical access – being able to confidently use streets, get on and off public transport, have places to rest, and feel welcome in doing so – is a cornerstone of belonging in a geographical community. It is also very much about having the social model of disability at the heart of how communities are designed and maintained. 

Being able to physically get around streets is a right, not a privilege.

Physical access and disability

In this video Nadia Clarke talks about her experiences.

Reflections on how you've found being involved in this project?

In this video, Cath Sorsby shares her reflections of being involved in the evidence review project.

What are some of the barriers you face being a disabled person?

In this clip, Martin Robertson reflects on some of the barriers that he faces as a disabled person.

The research

Ease of physical access can play an important role in preventing loneliness and promoting wellbeing for people with care and support needs. Without physical access in and around their local communities, people with a wide range of needs can experience social isolation and feel that their independence is compromised (Giebel et al., 2022; Evaluation Support Scotland, 2014).  

Physical accessibility and accessible public transport are not only important for people with limited mobility, they are also vital for people with learning disabilities to feel connected to their communities (Milot et al., 2021). Furthermore, if one stage of a journey is difficult (such as catching a bus), it will often derail the whole trip and remove an opportunity for getting out and about in the community (Living Streets, 2016). 

A report by Living Streets (2016), which specifically concentrated on walking, found a disparity between design guidelines for accessibility and ‘real world’ physical barriers faced by disabled people. The most common barrier was crossing the road – including having enough time to cross, and the absence of dropped kerbs. The preference was for wide, level, smooth, uncluttered and well-maintained pavements – and the condition of the pavement had a direct impact on people’s confidence when walking outdoors; and the need to keep ‘checking’ the pavement reduced the pleasure in walking (Living Streets, 2016).  

Particularly for wheelchair users, obstructions (or the strong likelihood of obstructions) were enough to prevent them going out entirely (Living Streets, 2016). In addition, the urban planning feature of ‘shared space’ – where, for example, pedestrians share pavements with cyclists and e-scooters – has been flagged as having a particular impact on disabled people, visually impaired people, and those who are deaf or living with hearing loss (Carr, 2016; Flower et al., 2021). 

The decline in the number and quality of public toilets has also seriously impacted older and disabled people’s confidence when out of their own homes – or it can mean that people do not eat and drink when they are out, for fear of needing the toilet (Slater & Jones, 2018). Thinking about this in connection with potential accessibility issues in someone’s own home (as detailed in Housing Adaptations, Technology and Control in the Living In The Place We Call Home key change), a lack of accessibility and comfort in both the home and community can be a real possibility. 

‘Hostile’ or ‘defensive’ architecture – where public spaces have intentional features such as metal spikes or studs, and sloped or partitioned benches – is often found in urban spaces. Its prime function is to deter people who are rough sleeping, and sometimes other activities such as skateboarding (Petty, 2016). Aside from the ethical concerns around this, the effects of hostile design features in public spaces can range from making people feel less welcome in general, to preventing people leaving their home due to fewer spaces in which to sit comfortably (De Fine Licht, 2017; Living Streets, 2016). There are also many homeless disabled or older people who are at a double disadvantage when it comes to accessing public space. 

The 15-minute city is an urban planning concept that suggests everyone should have their daily needs – work, food, healthcare, education, culture and leisure – within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from where they live. This could be seen as a broadly positive idea for people with care and support needs, in that it aims to strengthen communities with its focus on people rather than cars, and supporting the development of hubs closer to people’s homes. This is important when, for example, many people do not drive when they reach older age (Gaglione et al., 2022). However, the model has also been criticised as ableist; that the 15-minute city takes as its starting point the ‘average’ person, and that inclusion for disabled people is an afterthought (Willberg et al., 2023). 

What you can do

If you are in direct practice: It is clear from the research that there are many and varied issues in getting around and using the UK’s public spaces. Have you asked the people you work with how they physically experience their local area? What helps them, and what do they worry about? 

There may be simple, low-cost options available that you, when working directly with people, can offer to aid physical access in people’s local area. The way to find this out is to ask people with care and support needs, and then, together, think how you can take action. For example, lack of confidence and company are highlighted as two big access barriers in the research. Can you, a person’s family or friends, or other local services, go on walks with people? Can this be written into a care plan? 

If you are working with people who are registered as sight impaired, you can also ensure people are aware of their rights in support for getting around.

Disability access and inclusion

In this clip, Nadia Clarke talks about the importance of disability access and inclusion training.

If you are a senior leader: Unless you work in civic planning or transport, it may feel hard to affect direct change in physical environments. However, as a senior leader in social care, you can advocate for local older and disabled people to ensure their views are heard in the future design of streets and local communities, and promote disability awareness training throughout your area of influence. You can also map current available information, such as providing web-based and printed information on accessible toilets and benches. 

Social care is often a leader in co-production, possessing greater awareness of co-production and its benefits. How can you work with fellow senior leaders in your local authority to explain (and argue for) the benefits of co-production in civic planning and transport? 

Further information

Use  

AccessAble has accessibility information on over 10,000 venues, buildings and businesses across the UK. The Great British Public Toilet Map can help anyone find a nearby public toilet. 

Read  

Chester was the first recipient of the Europe-wide Access City Award, in 2016. Read about the reasons for the city’s success, including the close relationship between Chester’s Access Group, made up of disabled people, which fed into developments across the city.