Prieinamumas

Prieinamumas is a Lithuanian term describing the ease with which people can reach, use, or benefit from goods, services and information. It is a broad concept that covers physical, digital, economic and social dimensions of access, and it is commonly used in urban planning, public policy, information technology and service design.

Physically, prieinamumas refers to the availability of accessible buildings, transport, and public spaces. This includes features such as ramps, elevators, wide doorways, clear wayfinding, tactile indicators, and considerate layout to accommodate people with disabilities, the elderly, or those with mobility limitations.

Digitally, prieinamumas concerns the usability of websites, mobile apps, software and digital services for people with diverse abilities. International standards, such as WCAG and related guidelines, influence how digital content is designed and evaluated to support screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions, and alternative text.

Economically and socially, prieinamumas also encompasses affordability, language accessibility, and inclusive outreach so that services are reachable by different population groups, including those with limited income, language barriers, or differing levels of digital literacy.

Policy and practice increasingly treat prieinamumas as a core criterion in public procurement, urban development, and government services. Progress is typically measured through audits of buildings and digital platforms, user-centered design processes, and the removal of barriers that prevent equal participation in society. Ongoing challenges include aging infrastructure, costs of retrofitting, and ensuring consistency across sectors as technology evolves.