Esteeetön

Esteeetön is a Finnish term that describes environments, products, and services designed to be barrier-free and accessible to people with disabilities. In Finnish discourse, esteetön design aims to remove physical, sensory, and cognitive obstacles that could hinder participation in everyday activities, from public buildings to digital services.

The word is formed from este (obstacle) and -etön (without). The capitalized form Esteeetön is occasionally used as a proper noun, such as a campaign name or project title, depending on context.

Practically, esteetön design covers both physical accessibility and digital accessibility. Physical aspects include ramps, elevators, step-free entrances, wide doors and corridors, accessible restrooms, tactile guidance for visually impaired people, and clear, high-contrast signage. Digital accessibility covers websites and apps following international guidelines such as WCAG, as well as national requirements, to ensure content is usable by people with diverse abilities.

Policy and practice: In Finland, esteetön design is supported by public sector policies, building regulations, and procurement practices that promote accessible design. European and national standards guide accessibility in construction and digital services, while disability organizations advocate broader adoption of esteetön principles.