COMMON BARRIERS TO ACCESS

Photo Journal by Elaine McLeod

Staff Workload

Staff with a heavy workload can result in clients not receiving the proper services. The worker is mentally drained and not able to effectively serve the client. Clients wait long periods to access mental health services, to see a counselor, to get into a treatment centre or to access financial assistance, leaving them depressed, angry and frustrated. Clients tend to give up and continue in their current lifestyle, losing faith in the systems that are supposed to help them.

Lack of Privacy

If there is a lack of privacy, clients can be guarded, unable to speak freely and communicate what their true needs are. The risk of embarrassment or disclosure by others, whether actual or perceived, can lead a client to be cautious in their actions or speech. It may also frustrate them making them display anger and aggression.

Language

Language barriers are any conditions that make it difficult for a worker and client to make progress or to achieve an objective. This occurs when communication is complicated by speaking different languages or by speaking in words the client may not understand, thus making communications unclear and leaving the client feeling lost and confused.

CultureCultural barriers come from challenges in communication because different cultures have different ways of seeing, thinking, hearing and viewing the world around us. Cultural barriers can also be generational, as one generation thinks differently than another. Without effective understanding, these differences can lead to communication problems, creating barriers between clients and the services they require.

VisionClients with vision loss may not seek services and supports from agencies because they may not be able to fill out paperwork. They may be too embarrassed to ask for help may feel vulnerable about their disability. Vision can also mean being able to see a future for themselves. So many clients are in survival mode, that being able to look beyond getting through the next minute; hour or day can seem impossible.

Hearing

In a similar fashion to vision, clients with hearing problems may not access the services because they are embarrassed or fell vulnerable. It’s like the client has invisible walls around them, Being unable to hear someone makes communication difficult. Hearing barriers can also mean not wanting to hear what is said, or not comprehending what is said. Either ways it makes access to service difficult for the client.

Cost/Financial

Clients that have insufficient means to access the services they needs face cost and financial barriers. This can be a lack of transportation, day care, or stable housing.

Stigma/Embarrassed

This can from having any of the previous or following barriers. It can be a sense of pride, not wanting to ask for help. Or not wanting to be seen as having a mental, physical or addiction issue. It is how the client perceives how they may be perceived by others that creates the barrier.

How the Client Sees the Problem

This can be a very challenging barrier, especially if the client is in denial about or does not see it as a problem, or if their picture is bleak due to low self-esteem. They may be over optimistic or even nonchalant about it. If the client suffers from a mental health issue, they may not know that there even is a problem. Also if it is customary in their upbringing they may see the problem as being normal.

Clarity About the Problem

This can be equally as challenging. If the client cannot fully understand the scope of the problem then they can’t access help. If they are not clear about their needs, they cannot convey that and cannot access help. 

PhysicalA physical barrier is anything that impedes a client’s progress or movement. It can be the geographic distance between the client and services needed; it can be limited mobility, a physical ailment or the physical inaccessibility of a building that can prevent a client from getting the service needed.

EsteemWhen self esteem is low is it very difficult to see a way out. It can prevent the client from finding a solution or to see that they even deserve a solution. Having low levels of self-esteem can prevent a client from accessing help and from reaching their goals.

System Barrier

System barriers come in many forms. They can be a lack of the necessary required for gaining access to the system; being able to provide what the system requires from the client to access service, interactions with workers and the ability to successfully navigate the system. Uncertainty and fragmentation of system services also cause barriers for clients.

Difficulty of Access

Difficulty of access is caused by any barrier real or perceived that impedes a client’s access to service. It can be caused by barriers the client has or by barriers imposed on the client.