Universal accessibility, full accessibility

Universal accessibility is a characteristic that all objects, spaces, processes, tools, and services should have, so that everyone can use, understand, and practice comfortably, safely, and independently (Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad, 2019, p. 92). In summary, universal accessibility is a feature everything we use should have, at all times (Casado, 2016, p. 12).

Universal accessibility allows the social and physical environment where people live and carry out their lives to include and not discriminate them. To achieve this we need to include universal design as a general strategy and reasonable accommodations as a specific strategy, when the first option is not possible (Asís Roig, 2007). 

The physical, cognitive, and communication accessibility of all devices and environments of daily life benefits not only people with disabilities but also the elderly, children, foreigners or non-native speakers, and people with temporary special needs such as pregnant women, people with prams, and injured people.

When people with disabilities can access goods, services, information, and public and private spaces safely and comfortably and in the most autonomous and natural way possible, they have an environment that fosters independent living and more effective participation in society on equal terms.