Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Overview of Tactics for Modifying Access, Barriers, and Opportunities

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What do we mean by modifying access, barriers, and opportunities? Access refers to access to positive and healthy services, products, amenities, information, and institutions. Barriers are the conditions that prevent people from having access to those services. Opportunities refers to the fact that when you make access easier, people have more chances, or opportunities, to use community services. However, it is still up to them to take advantage of the increased opportunities. Therefore, modifying access, barriers, and opportunities means increasing access and reducing barriers to positive and healthy services, and also reducing access and creating barriers to unhealthy practices and products.

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What constitutes access to community services? Availability of services, amenities, or products Physical access to a service or amenity Accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible to people who lack transportation. Accessible to people who may have a language barrier. Accessible to people who do not have phones or computers. Access to information Effectiveness If a service exists, but does not accomplish its purpose, then those who need it still don’t have access to a service that can actually help them For example, a drug rehabilitation center that has high rates of recidivism is not accomplishing its purpose, and thus the participants are still not able to access the service they need, although there is a program, it is not effective.

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What are the barriers to access? Societal barriers Lack of education. Lack of adequate employment. Stereotyping and prejudice. Lack of understanding of the need for services. Choices the society makes to prioritize the needs of certain groups over others.

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What are the barriers to access? (continued) Institutional barriers Location Lack of physical access Administrative barriers Poor communication Lack of cultural sensitivity

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What are the barriers to access? (continued) Personal barriers Psychological barriers The uncertainty of life in poverty Cultural or religious issues Family concerns Lack of basic skills or education Lack of job and personal skills

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What do we mean by opportunities for access to services … and for access to unsafe or unhealthy behaviors and circumstances? Communities, organizations, and individuals can modify services, products, and information to provide more opportunities for access. They can also, often unintentionally, encourage unhealthy or otherwise harmful behavior by providing opportunities to engage in it. Similarly, they can discourage unhealthy or otherwise harmful behavior by cutting down on the opportunities to engage in it. Increasing opportunities can often be accomplished with simple changes such as providing information, persuading merchants to stock new items, or posting signs. It’s important to analyze the situation to determine what specific aspects are blocking access. Decreasing opportunities for access to unhealthy practices/products requires analysis to determine which practices and products can be affected by actions you can take.

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What tactics might be useful in modifying access, barriers, and opportunities? Reducing access to unhealthy products and practices. Enhancing access to services, healthy practices and products, and information. Extending opportunities for people of lower income. Increasing access for people with disabilities. Acceptance Communication Physical access Using outreach to increase access Increase awareness Increase willingness Reduce barriers