"barrier-free" versus "unobstructed"
English translation: "barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use
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| 07:31 May 21, 2020 |
| English language (monolingual) [PRO] Medical - Medical (general) | |||||||
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|  Selected response from: Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 09:06 | ||||||
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| 3 +4 | "barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use |
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| 3 +1 | Barrier-free |
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| 4 | "barrier-free" focuses on physical barriers while "unobstructed" makes more sense |
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| Discussion entries: 6 | |
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Answers
1 hr confidence: 
peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1Barrier-free Explanation: 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(s):
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1 hr confidence:
"barrier-free" focuses on physical barriers while "unobstructed" makes more sense Explanation: 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(s):
https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/threads/direct-and-unobstructed-access-to-a-public-way.14127/ |
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2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
peer agreement (net): +4"barrier-free" by design; "unobstructed" in use Explanation: 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. |
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