Pääsykyky

Pääsykyky is a Finnish term that translates to "accessibility" in English. It refers to the quality of being able to be reached, entered, or used by everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, age, or other personal characteristics. This concept is crucial in the design of environments, products, services, and information systems to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity.

In the context of the built environment, pääsykyky involves features like ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and tactile paving to assist people with mobility impairments, visual impairments, and other disabilities. For digital environments, it means designing websites, applications, and software that can be navigated and understood by individuals using assistive technologies such as screen readers, or those with cognitive differences. This includes providing alternative text for images, keyboard navigability, and clear, simple language.

The principle of pääsykyky extends to information and communication, ensuring that content is available in multiple formats and is easily understandable. It also applies to services, requiring that they are designed to be usable by all members of society. Ultimately, promoting pääsykyky aims to remove barriers and create a society where everyone can participate fully and independently. The implementation of pääsykyky is often guided by legislation and standards to ensure consistent and effective application.