Disability access: progress in policy, limits in practice Accessibility for people with disabilities has improved on paper, but research shows a persistent gap between law and daily life. Many countries have strong legal frameworks, yet enforcement remains weak. Studies report widespread barriers in streets, public buildings, and transport—uneven paths, missing ramps or lifts, narrow doors, and inaccessible toilets. These obstacles reduce safety, independence, access to work, education, healthcare, and social participation. Evidence consistently shows that, especially in low- and middle-income contexts, accessibility is still far from adequate for most people with disabilities.