I suggest you to contact with prof. Marek Wysocki from the Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture - he is an architect and experienced researcher about the topic of architectural barriers for people with reduced mobility and other disabilities.

http://pg.edu.pl/42e499e591_marek.wysocki

Good evening

I would suggest that this probably depend on the local legislation.  In EU there are Equal Treatment Directives.  In the UK there is the Equality Act 2010 that regulate this area and is supported, let say in England, by the Building Regulations Approved Document M that outline the minium compliance requirements for the built environment in relation to accessibility, etc.

With best wishes

Vladimir Ladinski

 However there are rules in many countries, about the necessity of designing urban environment and making buildings accessible and usable for all groups of people including disabled ones, kids and old people, we see such problems you mentioned in many cities around the world. There are two major factors which without them it is impossible to make good cities for public. One is democracy and the other one is wealth in today's world lead by capitalism. Civil society makes the voice of disabled people heard and forces politicians to take proper actions. Such actions require socioeconomic and political stability to accomplish the goals in the long run. Vienna is one good example. Disabled people can use the city without getting help from other people in vast areas. Transformation of a city from the state that it's not usable for handicapped people to the desirable state is a long-term complex procedure involving network of many social groups, organizations, government, planning experts and people.