accessibility
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accessibility
The design of buildings, means of transportation, workplaces, and digital services so that they are accessible and usable by all people, especially those with physical or cognitive limitations, without outside help.
Beim Neubau des Bahnhofs wurde besonders auf die Barrierefreiheit geachtet.
When the new train station was built, special attention was paid to accessibility.
The word is built very logically: it consists of 'Barriere' (barrier/obstacle), '-frei' (free of/without), and the ending '-heit', which forms an abstract noun. So it literally means 'the quality of being without obstacles'.
Die neue Website wurde auf Barrierefreiheit getestet.
The new website was tested for accessibility.
Common verbs in this context are 'Barrierefreiheit schaffen' (to create accessibility), 'Barrierefreiheit gewährleisten' (to ensure accessibility), or 'auf Barrierefreiheit achten' (to pay attention to accessibility). People also often speak of 'mangelnder Barrierefreiheit' (lack of accessibility).
Die Stadt plant, die Barrierefreiheit im öffentlichen Nahverkehr zu verbessern.
The city plans to improve accessibility in local public transportation.
The term does not refer only to physical obstacles for wheelchair users. It also includes digital barriers (e.g., for blind people on the internet) or language barriers (e.g., through 'Leichte Sprache' (easy-to-read language)).
Barrierefreiheit im Internet bedeutet, dass alle Nutzer die Inhalte wahrnehmen und bedienen können.
Accessibility on the internet means that all users can perceive and operate the content.
inclusion
'die Inklusion' and 'die Barrierefreiheit' are closely related because both have to do with participation for all people. 'Barrierefreiheit' means concrete access and services that everyone can use, for example ramps, elevators, simple language, or an easy-to-use website. 'Inklusion' is the larger goal: all people should naturally belong and be able to participate. The words can be confused because accessibility is often an important requirement for inclusion. Remember: accessibility makes access possible; inclusion means equal participation.
Im neuen Büro ist die Barrierefreiheit besser, weil es breite Türen und einen Aufzug gibt.
Accessibility is better in the new office because there are wide doors and an elevator.
Bei der Inklusion geht es nicht nur um Gebäude, sondern auch um gemeinsame Entscheidungen im Alltag.
Inclusion is not only about buildings, but also about shared decisions in everyday life.