A person in a wheelchair at the top of a steep red ramp at an outdoor sporting event, preparing to descend, with spectators and camera operators observing from raised platforms under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

4 paths to accessibility – a checklist

This is a simple overview and checklist of the four paths to accessibility, with a few examples for each. The four paths are places where we can place or remove barriers of entry to people with disabilities. The four paths are: Physical, psychological, organisational, social.

Physical
These are the barriers most often considered when discussing accessibility. They are extremely important as no matter how welcoming your community is or how good the communication on the website is, people cannot attend if they cannot physically get to your event.

Psychological
These barriers have a lot to do with the safety and level of information to be able to attend. E.g., knowing about the physical accessibility accommodations or knowing what the area will look like before you get there.

Organisational
These barriers are often referred to as a type of structural barriers, and they are often cultural or traditions of how an organisation does things. Here, even small changes could increase accessibility. E.g., allowing wheelchair users to use alternative entries or shortcuts on the festival grounds that lead over a paved path.

Social
Social barriers can be the hardest to change as they are often a part of the culture, and so change in this area can be slow. Making clear that accessibility and diversity are an asset and actively breaking down barriers along the other three paths set a clear expectation for social inclusivity.


The ‘4 paths checklist’ was made by Roskilde Festival in 2023. The intention is 1) to provide a short checklist to team leads when they are making decisions and 2) to communicate that accessibility goes beyond the physical design of spaces. What is a need for the few will benefit the many, meaning a more accessible festival will make a better experience for everybody all around.