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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

"barrier-free" versus "unobstructed"

English answer:

"barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use

Added to glossary by Sheila Wilson
May 21, 2020 07:31
3 yrs ago
58 viewers *
English term

"barrier-free" versus "unobstructed"

English Medical Medical (general)
Are these two terms "barrier-free" and "unobstructed" equivalent in meaning with the respect to the phrase "access for the physically disabled"?

Examples:

1. barrier-free access for the physically disabled
2. unobstructed access for the physically disabled

Are the above two phrases equivalent in meaning? Is there any subtle difference in meaning between these two phrases?

Thank you for your input
Responses
3 +4 "barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use
3 +1 Barrier-free
4 "barrier-free" focuses on physical barriers while "unobstructed" makes more sense
Change log

May 23, 2020 07:25: Sheila Wilson Created KOG entry

Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): Yvonne Gallagher

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Discussion

Shirley Lao (asker) May 23, 2020:
Thank you all for your participation in this discussion.
Michael Barnett May 21, 2020:
Barrier-free Imagine a flight of stairs strewn with heavy objects. The objects may obstruct the stairs. Now remove these obstructions. The unobstructed stairs remain a barrier to someone in a wheel chair.
Shirley Lao (asker) May 21, 2020:
Hello Phil, I am asking this question because I want to tell the difference between these two terms and know whether these two terms can be used interchangeably.
philgoddard May 21, 2020:
Shirley I agree with Anton. You haven't said why you're asking this question, or what the context is. Are you trying to choose between two possible translations of a Chinese term?
Anton Konashenok May 21, 2020:
Depending on the context, it could mean the same or different things, as in: "the administration should implement a barrier-free accessway for the physically disabled, and this accessway should be kept unobstructed at all times".
Shirley Lao (asker) May 21, 2020:
Question corrected Are these two terms "barrier-free" and "unobstructed" equivalent in meaning with respect to the phrase "access for the physically disabled"?

Responses

+4
2 hrs
Selected

"barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use

A corridor, for example can be obstructed in use, simply by storing a box on the floor or parking a cycle there, even though it was designed to be barrier-free, i.e. no step halfway along, no door that can't be operated by someone in a wheelchair, etc.
Peer comment(s):
agree Tina Vonhof (X) : Exactly.
4 hrs
Thanks, Tina
agree Michael Barnett : This was a very thought provoking question that prompted a prolonged discussion over breakfast about the conceptual difference between obstructions and barriers.
5 hrs
Thanks, Michael. We're living with so many restrictions at the moment that it's a good topic.
agree Yvonne Gallagher
10 hrs
Thanks, Yvonne
agree Agostina Solís
12 hrs
Thanks, Agostina
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Hi Sheila, Thank you very much for your explanations. "
+1
1 hr

Barrier-free

Hi Shirley,

I believe the “barrier-free” option is more suitable in the context.

Definition of Barrier free
: according to the Cambridge Dictionary, the term is described under “social responsibility” as:

“Designed or planned so that people with disabilities are not prevented from using something”

Furthermore, you could have a look at the definition of the “barrier-free design”: https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/dictionaries-thesauru...

Definition of Unobstructed
: clear or free from obstacles: not obstructed
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unobstructed


Although the 2 terms are similar in meaning, it looks like “barrier free” is not a synonym of “unobstructed”, as per
1. the Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unobstructed
2. Power thesaurus: https://www.powerthesaurus.org/barrier-free_access/synonyms
There is mentioned here “unimpeded access” as a synonym instead.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Stefania
Example sentence:

The housing will be built to barrier-free standards making it accessible to those with mobility difficulties.

an unobstructed view of the river

Note from asker:
To Stefania, Thank you very much for your explanations and reference materials.
Peer comment(s):
agree Michael Barnett : See explanation in discussion.
5 hrs
Thank you, Michael
Something went wrong...
1 hr

"barrier-free" focuses on physical barriers while "unobstructed" makes more sense

The term barrier-free design was first used in the 1950's to describe the effort of removing physical barriers from the "built environment" for people with disabilities. Barrier-free design addresses the issue of access. The standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), address the issues of barrier-free design as it focuses on disability and accommodating people with disabilities in the physical environment.
Barrier-free design is not Universal Design because barrier-free design solely focuses on providing access to individuals with disabilities.

However, "unobstructed" usually makes more sense. For example, according to IBC 2015 Section 1028.5 and NFPA 101 Section 7.7.1, exits shall discharge at a public way or exit discharge shall provide "direct and unobstructed access to a public way", and the flowing must be met:
1. The area shall be of a size to accommodate at least 5 square feet (0.46 m2) for each person.
2. The area shall be located on the same lot at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) away from the building requiring egress.
3. The area shall be permanently maintained and identified as a safe dispersal area.
4. The area shall be provided with a safe and unobstructed path of travel from the building.
Example sentence:

unobstructed width of a barrier-free path of travel shall be not less than 920 mm .....

Reference:

https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/threads/direct-and-unobstructed-access-to-a-public-way.14127/

Note from asker:
To Chen-Ling, Thank you very much for your explanations and a detailed list of reference materials, which help me a lot.
Something went wrong...
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