Access: The North American Experience of Legislating Attitudes

Abstract

The past century and particularly the past four decades saw great improvements in science and technology. Many such improvements have promoted Accessibility. This apparent symbiotic relationship is not all that it seems. Technological advancement is a necessary but not, in itself, a sufficient catalyst to Accessibility. In the twentieth century the situation of people with disabilities saw very slow socio-economic progress, largely through the efforts of humanitarian agencies. In the 1960’s the humanitarian organizations were joined by the rights based organizations and together they were responsible for a significant surge toward equal access. It was, however, not until broad based legislation was put in place in the form of the “Americans with Disabilities Act” that attitudes and equality began to change in a real and broad based manner. It is in the dialogue on disability, access and compliance that we see this change.