The power of access: How inclusive design empowers people with disabilities in Ghana

Accessibility in public spaces is a matter of dignity, independence, and inclusion—and that's what makes it a human right. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was landmark legislation, a promise made 25 years ago that wrote these values into law. The Act was a promise kept in many cases, a human virtue made enforceable by the might of federal law. But the ADA also runs through communities like a river through a landscape, obliquely shaping how things are done in the daily lives of citizens with disabilities. Accessible conditions help make that participation possible.

Comprehensive design—from easy-to-access entryways to spaces that accommodate all the senses—that is inclusive of people with disabilities enables more unrestricted movement in the world for all kinds of individuals. Accessible entrances and restrooms are basic expectations, but sensory-friendly spaces and adaptive signage make it possible for people with a broader range of abilities to assume that the world is designed for them, too. Inclusive design ensures that people of all abilities can navigate the world more freely.

In Ghana, around 3 million citizens have disabilities, which is nearly 11% of the population, according to the 2010 Population and Housing Census. Yet, this large group of almost 3 million people faces daily hindrances due to the poor structural design of public or private facilities that are meant to be inclusive. The kinds of structural designs that would mean the difference between a challenge and independence are missing. More often than not, the types of spaces that people with disabilities need to navigate are not accessible. And if they're not accessible, then what is the alternative? The alternative is having a family member who serves as a caregiver and helps the person with a disability navigate the kinds of spaces that are challenging to navigate.
 
The Impact of Inaccessible Environments

Inaccessible infrastructure—like buildings without ramps or accessible public transport—creates roadblocks to education, jobs, health care, and a fully participatory social life for people with disabilities (PWDs). This problem is entirely solvable, and when it is solved, the disability-related caregiving that so many people with disabilities and their families endure will be significantly reduced.

People with disabilities (PWDs) who want jobs face tough odds even before they try to work. Employers have a hard time seeing past the visible and not-so-visible obstacles that PWDs navigate daily. And even when employers do see the real person behind the perceived barrier, all too often, they view hiring PWDs as a charitable act rather than a business decision.

This problem, too, is easy to solve—with some infrastructure and attitudinal changes.

International Standards vs. Ghana’s Reality

Worldwide, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Ghana ratified in 2012, offers a comprehensive blueprint for accessibility and inclusion. It demands that states give all persons with disabilities access to the physical environment, transportation, information, and communication, just like everyone else.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as a U.S. standard, is known internationally. So, too, is the European Accessibility Act. These are high-profile, comprehensive, and well-respected documents. They contain an immense number of detailed requirements. Why is this relevant? Because these documents provide powerful, helpful guidance to designers. They are inclusive; they speak to design for everyone. They recommend not just satisfyingly compliant designs but good designs that are universally usable—that is, usable by people with a wide range of human abilities and disabilities.

Conversely, the built environment in Ghana often fails to meet these standards. Numerous public structures and transportation systems lack the most rudimentary features that would make them accessible to people with various kinds of disabilities. This is a consequence of both enforcement and awareness gaps.

Legal Framework in Ghana: The Persons with Disabilities Act (Act 715), 2006

Ghana's Act 715 for Persons with Disabilities is a significant piece of legislation. Its purpose is to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the realm of accessibility. To this end, the Act requires that public spaces (including buildings, transportation systems, and a variety of public services) be made accessible to everyone without exception. The legislation goes on to call for the establishment of standards and guidelines with such an inclusive intent that they cover every possible public space. Nevertheless, despite these rules, enforcement remains weak.

Pragmatic Steps Forward

Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms for Accessibility Standards in Ghana: To ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in society, it is necessary to enforce accessibility standards effectively. In Ghana, the legal framework governing this issue is the Persons with Disabilities Act (Act 715), which has accessibility at its core. However, the gap between policy and practice is vast, and many people with disabilities (PWDs) experience significant barriers to their full participation, particularly in public spaces and buildings. To overcome this accessibility deficit, I propose a multi-faceted approach to strengthen both the letter and the spirit of the law.

1. Form a Regulatory Body Dedicated to Accessibility Compliance

It is imperative to create a new authority or empower an existing agency with the apparent, unambiguous authority necessary to oversee accessibility compliance in this country. This new authority must have the right stuff to be effective, meaning it must have the right capabilities (expertise, staff, and resources), the proper authority (ability to inspect, enforce, and motivate), and the right mission (to ensure comprehensive compliance and to help all sectors and all levels of government understand and achieve that compliance).

2. Implement Clear Penalties and Incentives

Non-compliance is effective when it carries consequences. Ghana should:

• Define and make known the penalties for violations of accessibility standards, including fines and suspension of operating licenses.

• Introduce incentives like tax breaks and public recognition for organizations that greatly exceed accessibility requirements.

3. Building Capacity for Inspectors and Enforcement Officers.

Ensuring that the individuals responsible for overseeing compliance know what to do and how to do it is half the battle. Indeed, it is half the game because, in the end, enforcement is only as effective as the personnel who carry it out. Better personnel will lead to better enforcement for at least two reasons.

First, better personnel will get the job done more effectively. They will not just check off boxes but will use their better judgment to assess conditions and handle issues that require attention, all while upholding the spirit and letter of the law.

Second, having better personnel will lead to improved morale and, consequently, a more effective enforcement program overall. Suppose the individuals upholding the law themselves work under standards of good universal design and accessibility. In that case, they are likely to find themselves in a more positive and constructive mindset during the enforcement process.

You cannot effectively enforce what you would not find a sneaky or devious way to bypass if you were of a mind to. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that if you uphold the spirit and letter of the law under conditions favorable to good design and accessibility, then you are very much in a win-win situation.

4. Integrate Accessibility Checks into Building Approval Processes 

Accessibility compliance should be a prerequisite for building permits and occupancy certificates. This requires: 
• Collaboration between the regulatory authority and local government planning departments. 
• Mandatory submission of accessibility plans during the design phase.

5. Empower Individuals with Disabilities and Civil Society 

Involving individuals with disabilities and advocacy groups in enforcement enhances accountability and transparency. Ghana can:

• Establish channels that ensure accessibility for reporting violations.
• Back initiatives that monitor communities for compliance.
• Help provide legal support to individuals with disabilities challenging violations.

6. Use Technology to Be Transparent

Digital platforms can enhance enforcement by:

• Making available to the public online the results of inspections and the status of compliance.
• Enabling the public to report in real-time any issues they experience with accessibility.

7. Secure Ongoing, Sustainable Funding

To ensure adequate resources for enforcement, the government must specify in its budget which funds will be allocated to these activities. The funding must cover three essential areas:

• Staffing and training enforcement agencies.
• Public outreach and awareness campaigns.
• Carrying out audits on all infrastructure and ensuring necessary retrofitting.

Accessible design is not just a technical requirement; it's a powerful tool for empowerment. When we design something to be accessible, we're designing for everyone because nearly all of us will experience some form of disability during our lifetimes. Inclusive design is not simply about making environments accessible to people with disabilities; it's about accessible environments for all.