Peat M
CMAJ. 1997 Mar 1;156(5):657-9.
Barriers to movement and communication in the physical environment prevent people with disabilities from enjoying the same rights, privileges and opportunities as other members of society. The guidelines presented by Drs. Karen E. Jones and Itamar E. Tamari in this issue (page 647) remind us that access to physicians' offices is one area in which improvement is greatly needed. But, as Jones and Tamari acknowledge, accessibility involves more than the removal of physical barriers. The greatest obstacles faced by disabled people are often attitudinal ones. Programs that place responsibility for rehabilitation and integration within the community can foster a better understanding of the issues. Family physicians and other professionals must work with communities to change the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of policy-makers and the public. Until significant progress is made on this front, problems of access that serve to marginalize people with disabilities will persist.
物理环境中的行动和交流障碍使残疾人无法享有与社会其他成员相同的权利、特权和机会。凯伦·E·琼斯博士和伊塔玛尔·E·塔玛里博士在本期（第647页）提出的指导方针提醒我们，改善医生办公室的可达性是一个急需改进的领域。但是，正如琼斯和塔玛里所承认的，可达性不仅仅是消除物理障碍。残疾人面临的最大障碍往往是态度上的。将康复和融入社区的责任纳入其中的项目可以促进对这些问题的更好理解。家庭医生和其他专业人员必须与社区合作，改变政策制定者和公众的态度、观念和行为。在这方面取得重大进展之前，那些使残疾人被边缘化的可达性问题将持续存在。
