Social disablers in public space

Abstract

In this article, I look at how society itself can create barriers to participation through inaccessible pavements, transport, public spaces, poor infrastructure and everyday behaviour. I argue that social inclusion is not only about welfare policy: it is also about whether people can comfortably and safely participate in everyday life. I propose systematic, professional on-the-ground monitoring to identify the social disablers—and enablers—in our communities.