Barrier-free

Barrier-free building modification consists of modifying buildings or facilities so that they can be used by the physically disadvantaged or disabled. An example would be installing a ramp for wheelchairs alongside or in place of some steps. The idea of barrier free modification has largely been superseded by the concept of universal design, which seeks to design things from the outset to support easy access. This latter approach usually leads to lower total cost. However, with pre-existing structures, barrier free may be the most appropriate or only valid approach.

Freeing a building of barriers means:• recognising the features that could form barriers for some people• thinking inclusively about the whole range of impairments• reviewing everything - from structure to smallest detail• seeking feedback from users and learning from mistakes

Barrier Free vs. ADA

Barrier free is also a term that applies to handicap accessibility in situations where legal codes such as the ADA Guidelines don't make specifications.