Breaking down barriers to access

ESTER KAMATI WINDHOEK Despite wanting to be treated equally, people living with disabilities are often subjected to limitations such as the accessibility of public infrastructure. This is the basis of the creation of the disability accessibility standard, which was launched last month. With a mandate to create a barrier-free society for about 100 000 Namibians who live with disabilities, the National Disability Council (NDC) has implemented this standard as a guideline for architects and engineers when constructing public buildings. The standard can also be used for the modification of existing facilities, the council said. Chapters The disability accessibility standard consists of three chapters which deal with public spaces and urban environments, buildings and establishments in general and those with specific uses. Accessible routes, sidewalks and pathways, parking accessibility, emergency exists and stairways as well as ramps all make it easier for people with disabilities to manoeuvre around facilities. The implementation date will be announced once the standard has been finalised and, once implemented, the standard will be regulated by the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI). Exclusion “Namibia as a country at large is still struggling with issues of accessibility, mainly more severe in rural areas as compared to urban arears,” said Lydia David, a senior monitoring officer at the NDC. “Studies conducted by the council show that most public buildings and facilities are not accessible to people with disabilities. “Inaccessible facilities therefore lead to the majority of people with disabilities being excluded or disadvantaged in various ways, such as accessing public services, information and employment,” David added.

Breaking down barriers to access

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-03

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Breaking down barriers to access

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-03

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