Table of contents:
The challenge
The challenge in mainstreaming accessibility of the physical environment does not necessarily lie in establishing new legal and technical standards; there are numerous models and guidelines that set international standards. The challenge lies in implementing these standards and norms on the ground based on the local and national context. Most Arab countries have some legal frameworks, municipal guidelines or provisions in national building codes to ensure accessibility, but there is little evidence of compliance per the lived experiences of persons with disabilities. It is important to highlight that accessibility helps facilitate social inclusion, while inaccessibility of the environment leads to isolation and exclusion.
Data on accessibility in Morocco
Data on accessibility is often scarce, but one snapshot from Morocco illustrates some of the challenges. Per the national Moroccan disability study conducted in 2014, the following findings were observed.
Achieving accessibility requires a normative shift in how societies perceive disabilities and construct the physical, social and digital environment. Accessibility “refers to the provision of flexible facilities and environments, either virtual or physical, to accommodate each user’s needs and preferences. This may be any place, space, item or service that is easily approached, reached, entered, exited, interacted with, understood or otherwise used”.[1]
