Globalising accessibility: drawing on the experiences of developed countries to enable the participation of disabled people in Zambia

Abstract

This paper explores the accessibility situation in a developing country such as Zambia. The global view of accessibility for disabled people is provided to examine the accessibility situation in developed and developing countries, highlighting the role of the environment in achieving rights for disabled people. Recognition of disability rights relating to accessible built environments is a necessary element to ensure their participation. Limited disability research, lack of disability policies and systems, evaluation of disability rights and support from developed countries have been cited as contributing to the non-recognition of disability rights and low participation by disabled people in Africa. An international perspective of disability, accessibility and participation and the experiences of developed countries are examined and their potential for advancing accessible built environments for participation in developing countries considered. However, accessibility concepts, having been developed in western countries, are presented with caution acknowledging the geographical, social–cultural and economic differences that exist.

Keywords:

• disability rights
• accessibility
• participation
• built environment
• developing countries
• Zambia

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia for the funding support and making this enquiry possible.