Posted on December 22, 2025

The UK is home to around 16 million disabled people, roughly one in four of the population, according to national survey data used by Scope and the UK government. This is not a small or marginal group, but a substantial part of society that cuts across every age group, community and workplace.

When everyday environments continue to shut disabled people out, it shows that something has gone badly wrong in how design is understood and in whose needs are prioritised.

Accessibility is not a nice extra or a specialist feature that can be added later. If a building, venue, business or public space is not designed so that disabled people can use it with dignity and independence, then it has failed in its basic purpose.

Good design must work for the people who actually use it, not for an imagined “average” user who never truly existed.

The Scale of the Issue

The figure of 16 million disabled people is not an abstract statistic. It includes children, adults and older people living with a wide range of physical, sensory, learning and mental health impairments.

Survey data suggests that:

• Around 11% of children
• 23% of working-age adults
• 45% of pension-age adults

meet the Equality Act definition of disability in the UK.

Over the last decade, the proportion of people recorded as disabled has risen from around one in five to roughly one in four. Combined with an ageing population, this trend means accessibility is only going to become more important, not less.

Treating disability as a niche concern is fundamentally at odds with the reality of who lives here.

Everyday Environments, Everyday Exclusions

Despite these numbers, disabled people still describe a daily grind of barriers embedded in ordinary environments. Official research highlights problems such as:

• Shops with only stair access
• Narrow aisles that wheelchairs cannot navigate
• Cluttered layouts that turn a simple visit into an exhausting ordeal

These obstacles do not arise by chance. They are the result of design choices that prioritise appearance, speed or cost over genuine usability.

Survey work by AccessAble found that:

• Around 75% of disabled respondents feel nervous or anxious about visiting somewhere new
• 76% had decided not to visit a venue due to a lack of accessibility information
• 77% had left a venue after discovering that reality did not match expectations

A single step at an entrance or a toilet door that is too narrow can be the difference between a good evening out and an immediate journey home.

Accessibility and the Law

On paper, the legal position in the UK appears robust. Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations that provide services to the public must make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access them as closely as possible to the way non-disabled people do.

These adjustments include:

• Physical features such as ramps, lifts, automatic doors and tactile signage
• Changes to policies, practices and staff training

Crucially, this is an anticipatory duty. Organisations are expected to think in advance about potential barriers and address them before exclusion or harm occurs.

When accessibility is not embedded from the outset, the gap between what the law promises and what disabled people experience in practice grows wider.

Design Failure at the Heart of Inaccessibility

If good design is fundamentally about function, then an inaccessible space is badly designed, regardless of how attractive it appears.

• A striking staircase that prevents wheelchair users from entering is a design flaw, not a feature
• A fashionable restaurant with tightly packed seating may look inviting, but if a wheelchair cannot reach the tables, the design has failed

The same applies to wayfinding and information. Poor signage, confusing layouts and unclear routes can make buildings inaccessible to people with sensory, cognitive or mental health conditions—even when physical access technically exists.

The Human and Emotional Cost

Behind every inaccessible doorway lies a personal story. Disabled people describe journeys planned in meticulous detail, only to be derailed by a broken lift, an unexpected step or an inaccessible toilet.

In the AccessAble survey:

• Nearly 7 in 10 disabled respondents reported experiencing discrimination when visiting a venue
• Only just over one-third felt staff had good disability awareness

Poor design combined with weak organisational culture leaves many disabled people anxious about trying new places, pushing them to stay home or limit themselves to venues they already know are safe.

Transport, Public Space and Unequal Mobility

The problem does not end at the doorway. Public transport and public spaces often reflect the same pattern of partial access and broken promises.

Data from England shows disabled adults make significantly fewer trips per year than non-disabled adults, especially among older age groups. This is not due to lack of need, but because effort, uncertainty and risk are much higher.

Uneven surfaces, cluttered pavements and poorly designed crossings can turn a short walk into a major challenge—effectively deciding who gets to move freely and who does not.

The Economic Argument: The Purple Pound

Alongside the moral and legal case, there is a strong economic argument for accessibility.

The spending power of disabled people and their households—often referred to as the purple pound—is substantial. Inaccessible businesses do not just lose one customer; they often lose families, carers and entire groups.

Venues that prioritise accessibility and communicate it clearly often benefit from stronger loyalty and positive word of mouth.

Inclusive Design in Practice

Inclusive design does not need to be complex or high-tech. Disabled people consistently highlight practical measures such as:

• Step-free entrances
• Reliable ramps and lifts
• Wide doors and aisles
• Properly designed accessible toilets

They also point to quieter areas, good lighting and clear signage as essential supports for sensory and cognitive impairments.

Evidence shows that involving disabled people directly in planning and testing spaces leads to better outcomes and stronger trust.

Cultural Attitudes and Staff Training

Even well-designed spaces can be undermined by poor organisational culture. Disabled people often encounter disbelief, impatience or discomfort when asking for assistance.

Effective staff training helps ensure that accessibility is supported not only by design, but by respectful and flexible service delivery.

Why Design for All Is Better Design

Designing for disabled people usually results in environments that work better for everyone.

• Ramps help people with prams, luggage or temporary injuries
• Clear layouts and signage support people who are tired, stressed or unfamiliar with a space

As the population ages, accessible design will become even more essential. Building it in from the start avoids costly retrofits and sends a clear message that everyone matters.

Conclusion

Unless buildings, venues, businesses and public spaces in the UK are designed to be accessible to all, they fall short of their purpose.

With around 16 million disabled people already living here—and that number continuing to rise—inaccessible design is not a minor oversight. It is a serious failure of imagination, responsibility and care.