Available vs. Accessible — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Available means something is on hand or obtainable; accessible means something can be reached or entered easily.
Difference Between Available and Accessible
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Availability refers to the presence of something or its readiness for use, whereas accessibility concerns the ease with which it can be reached or used.
An item being available does not necessarily mean it is accessible; it might be available but locked away or restricted, hence not accessible.
Accessibility implies that there are no barriers to entry or use, while something available might still require specific conditions or permissions to access.
In digital terms, available information might exist online, but if a website has poor design, that information may not be accessible to all users, particularly those with disabilities.
Services can be available 24/7, such as customer support, but only accessible through certain means, like phone or email, thus their accessibility may be limited by the user's capabilities or resources.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ready for use; at someone’s disposal.
Easy to reach or enter; can be used by everyone.
Implication
Presence or obtainability.
Usability with ease, often by anyone.
Dependency
May depend on time or resources.
Depends on ease of access and barriers.
Inclusivity
Does not imply universal usability.
Implies removal of barriers for all users.
Common Usage
"This book is available at the library."
"The building is accessible by wheelchair."
Compare with Definitions
Available
Obtainable or within reach.
Fresh fruit is available at the market.
Accessible
User-friendly, especially regarding customer service or technology.
Their customer service is very accessible, 24/7.
Available
Free to meet or talk to someone.
She is available for a meeting on Friday.
Accessible
Obtainable; able to be reached by people with disabilities.
This building is fully accessible.
Available
Open to a new relationship.
He's been available since his last relationship ended.
Accessible
Easy to approach or enter.
The museum is accessible to everyone.
Available
Able to be used or obtained; at someone's disposal
Refreshments will be available all afternoon
Community health services available to Londoners
Accessible
Possible to reach or get into.
The files are accessible online with a password.
Available
Present and ready for use; at hand; accessible
Kept a fire extinguisher available at all times.
Accessible
(of a place) able to be reached or entered
The town is accessible by bus
This room is not accessible to elderly people
Available
Capable of being gotten; obtainable
A bedspread available in three colors.
Accessible
(of a person, especially one in a position of authority) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable
He is more accessible than most tycoons
Available
Qualified and willing to serve or assist
A list of available candidates.
Was not available for comment.
Accessible
Easily approached or entered
The stadium is accessible via public transportation.
Available
(Chemistry) Capable of being used in a chemical reaction
Available electrons.
Accessible
Easily obtained
Accessible money.
Available
(Botany) Present, as in soil, and capable of being used by plants as a nutrient
Available water.
Available minerals.
Accessible
Easy to talk to or get along with
An accessible manager.
Available
Such as one may avail oneself of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose.
We have an available candidate.
Accessible
Easy to understand or appreciate
An accessible artwork.
Available
Readily obtainable.
The list shows the available products in the store.
Accessible
Designed for use by anyone regardless of physical ability
Remodeled the restroom to make it accessible.
Available
(legal) Valid.
This is an available plea.
Accessible
Easily swayed or influenced
Accessible to flattery.
Available
(archaic) Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy to achieve the purpose; availing, effective.
Accessible
Easy of access or approach.
An accessible town or mountain
Available
Free to meet someone, speak on the telephone, enter a romantic relationship, or the like.
I have a question for you when you're available.
Hi, this is Mark Smith calling. Is your mother available?
I asked her if she was available, but she said she had a boyfriend.
Accessible
(specifically) Built or designed as to be usable by people with disabilities.
An accessible website
Accessible public transport
Available
Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy, for the object; effectual; valid; as, an available plea.
Laws human are available by consent.
Accessible
(of a person) Easy to get along with.
Available
Such as one may avail one's self of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose; usable; profitable; advantageous; convertible into a resource; as, an available measure; an available candidate.
Struggling to redeem, as he did, the available months and days out of so many that were unavailable.
Having no available funds with which to pay the calls on new shares.
Accessible
(followed by to) Open to the influence of.
Available
Obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service;
Kept a fire extinguisher available
Much information is available through computers
Available in many colors
The list of available candidates is unusually long
Accessible
Obtainable; to be got at.
Available
Not busy; not otherwise committed;
He was not available for comment
He was available and willing to accompany her
Accessible
Easily understood or appreciated.
Available
Convenient for use or disposal;
The house is available after July 1
2000 square feet of usable office space
Accessible
Capable of being used or seen.
Available
Present and ready for use.
The doctor is available for consultation.
Accessible
Easy of access or approach; approachable; as, an accessible town or mountain, an accessible person.
Available
Not busy; not engaged with other activities.
Are you available to babysit tonight?
Accessible
Open to the influence of; - with to.
Accessible
Obtainable; to be got at.
The best information . . . at present accessible.
Accessible
Capable of being reached;
A town accessible by rail
Accessible
Capable of being read with comprehension;
Readily accessible to the nonprofessional reader
The tales seem more approachable than his more difficult novels
Accessible
Easily obtained;
Most students now have computers accessible
Accessible money
Accessible
Easy to get along with or talk to; friendly;
An accessible and genial man
Accessible
Able to be understood or appreciated.
Her writing is accessible to a wide audience.
Common Curiosities
Can "available" refer to time?
Yes, when someone has free time, they are said to be available.
Does accessible mean free?
Not necessarily; it means there are no barriers to use, not that it’s without cost.
Is accessibility only related to disabilities?
No, while often used in this context, it can refer to usability for all users.
Can something be available but not accessible?
Yes, something can be present but not easily reachable or usable.
Can availability fluctuate?
Yes, something can be available at one time and not at another.
Are downloadable files considered available or accessible?
They are available if they can be downloaded and accessible if they can be used easily.
Is an accessible place always open?
An accessible place is easy to enter when open, but may have operating hours.
Do online services need to be accessible?
Yes, ideally, so everyone, including those with disabilities, can use them.
Are "available" and "in stock" the same?
Essentially, yes; both indicate that something is ready for purchase or use.
Is availability a temporary state?
It can be, depending on the context, such as product stock or a person’s schedule.
Can software be both available and accessible?
Yes, if it's ready for download (available) and easy to use by all (accessible).
Does an accessible website need to follow standards?
Yes, it should follow guidelines like the WCAG to be considered accessible.
Is an available hotel room also accessible?
It's available if you can book it; it's accessible if it meets accessibility standards.
Does accessible imply ease of use?
Yes, it suggests that something can be used without difficulty.
Can physical objects be accessible?
Yes, if they can be easily used or reached by people, including those with disabilities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
