Access to services and assistive devices for people with physical disabilities remains an important social issue, as numerous barriers continue to hinder their equal participation in society. This thesis explores the everyday experiences of people with physical disabilities and highlights persistent challenges despite changes in legislation. The starting point of the research is the understanding of accessibility as a human right and as a fundamental precondition for independent living, access to education, employment, mobility, and community inclusion.
The theoretical part presents the existing legislation, assistive devices and services aimed at improving accessibility, as well as key areas that significantly affect the life quality of people with physical disabilities. The work is based on the social model of disability, which emphasizes that barriers do not arise from the body of the individual, but from an environment that is not accessible. In the empirical part, I conducted a qualitative study using by interviewing individuals who have long-term experience of physical disability. I focused on how they perceived accessibility in the past, which changes they identified as important, and how they assess the current state of accessibility.
The findings show that significant improvements have been made in recent decades, particularly in the areas of legislation, personal assistance, and the physical accessibility of public spaces. Nevertheless, the participants point to ongoing barriers, such as poorly managed public transportation and inadequate technical solutions. They also highlight the lack of user involvement in decision-making and the need for greater social understanding and solidarity. The results confirm that accessibility is not only a matter of infrastructure, but also reflects the society’s attitude toward diversity and inclusion.
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