3.1 Barriers in Accessibility
3.1.1 Barriers
Barriers in accessibility may be defined as an object, which could be physical or immaterial, that obstructs or impedes accessibility.

Barriers break the travel chain described in Section 2 and limits mobility. It affects public safety and makes a building or facility user unfriendly. It also means that extra resources, such as staff, is needed to assist the commuter to travel from one point to another or assist the user to access a building or facility. A barrier on information means that the user cannot find or apprehend the necessary information and has to spend much longer time or effort to get through.

Barriers may cause accidents and lead to frustration if the user fails to pass through the hurdles to gain information or access to the building. For example, the area of initial approach from the street onto the property boundary as shown in 3.1.1a and 3.1.1b is an area of concern. Such approach to the entrance is hazardous and renders part of the route inaccessible.

The most common barriers and access problems are outlined below:-
Access route:

• Indirect routing
• Lack of directional signs
• Not segregated from vehicular route
• Uneven surface (3.1.1c)
• Obstacles such as bollards, fittings (3.1.1d and 3.1.1e), trees, curbs (3.1.1f), drainage gratings positioned on access pathways

Ramps & gradient:

• Routes with gradients too steep
• Cross falls too great
• Steep and long gradients
• Inadequate or lack of landings
• Lack of appropriate handrails
• Lack of appropriate tactile ground surface indicators (3.1.1h)
• Slippery ground surface finishes