What is the built environment?
Buildings of any kind, obviously – but also other parts of the environment:

• the routes between buildings
• pedestrianised shopping precincts
• concourses
• pavements and footpaths
• open urban spaces, like Cardiff Bay area or Swansea Marina (the "public realm")
• historic buildings or monuments
• temporary structures, like outdoor events or concerts

What are the access barriers in the environment facing disabled people in Wales?
Despite the introduction of disability discrimination legislation, particularly the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, (DDA) disabled people in Wales still face a multitude of physical, institutional and attitudinal barriers.

We don’t have an inclusive environment in Wales because of the barriers that have been unwittingly designed into buildings and public spaces by architects and designers, and then approved by planning authorities. This process has happened over the centuries. Even new buildings often have major access problems despite the need to meet the building regulations and the DDA.

This means we don’t have the same choices as others about doing things like shopping, going for a swim, getting to work, going to a nightclub and so on – doing everyday things can become an ordeal rather than being just ordinary.

A recent survey undertaken by the Disability Rights Commission on physical barriers to goods and services suggests that there are still many access problems to sort out: