Physical accessibility

In the fields of occupational therapy, rehabilitation science, and inclusive architecture, physical accessibility is defined as an objective concept operationalized as "the encounter between the person's or group's functional capacity and the design and demands of the physical environment." When looking at building standards, it is formally defined as the "provision of buildings, parts of buildings, or outdoor built environments for people, regardless of disability, age or gender, to be able to gain access to them, into them, to use them and exit from them".

Sources:

Hedvall, P.-O., Ståhl, A., & Iwarsson, S. (2025). Accessibility, usability and universal design – still confusing? Harmonisation of key concepts describing person-environment interaction to create conditions for participation. Disability and Rehabilitatio

United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 9: Accessibility). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-o