Lack of access

For example, persons with disabilities have the right to education, but if a school or the school’s transportation system is not physically accessible, a student who uses a wheelchair may not be able to enjoy the right to education. If the school does not provide an accessible bus, then the student must find alternative transportation to get to school. Further, if the school has steps at the front entrance and there is no ramp or other way for the student to access the building, then the student may not even be able to enter the building. Even if the student can enter the building, he or she may still encounter inaccessible bathrooms or classrooms.

According to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD):

To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others:

1. to the physical environment,
2. to transportation,
3. to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and
4. to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.

These measures shall include the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility.