Accessibility as a Statutory Right¹This article has been translated from Norwegian by Chris Saunders. A very early draft of the article was discussed and commented by the Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Research Group at Oslo University College. In addition, the draft of the article was read and commented uponby Prof. Else Wiestad and Dr. Helgard Mahrdt. I would also like to thank the referees for their important comments.

Disability is a universal human condition. Both the Norwegian Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focus on the importance of accessibility as an interaction between society and individuals. This article discusses in what way accessibility, as a prerequisite for participation, can be realised as a right for all individuals. Human diversity and accessibility are linked together by means of the political and ethical philosophies of Martha Nussbaum and Hannah Arendt. This article discusses universal design, and argues that as a strategy it can reduce architectural barriers and promote accessibility and equality. Protection against discrimination of people with impairments, together with improved accessibility, can bring forth a more inclusive society that accommodates human plurality.

Keywords: Accessibility, disability, UN Convention, Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act, universal design, Martha Nussbaum, Hannah Arendt