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Ruiz-Rodrigo A, Morales E, Lakoud M, Riendeau J, Lemay M, Savaria A, Mathieu S, Feillou I, Routhier F. Experiencing accessibility of historical heritage places with individuals living with visible and invisible disabilities. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2024; 5:1379139. [PMID: 38633764 PMCID: PMC11021605 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1379139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Around 16% of world's population lives with visible and invisible disabilities. People with disabilities' participation may be limited because of the environmental obstacles. Moreover, historic heritage places were built before the development of accessibility standards and the rights of people living with disabilities and the majority were not designed to be accessible. Access to historic heritage places is important for carrying out the activities in place but also to create and reinforce identity. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of people with visible and invisible disabilities when visiting heritage sites considering accessibility issues. Methods This study is a qualitative interpretive description. Participants were adults with visible (e.g., motor disability) or invisible (e.g., autism) disabilities. For data collection, go along interviews (also referred to in the literature as "walking interview" in two different locations in the Historic District of Old Quebec in Quebec City were conducted. Thematic analysis was done. Results Twenty-one participants completed two go along interviews: one in the Séminaire de Québec (Seminary of Quebec City) and the other in Petit-Champlain and Place Royale areas of Quebec City. Three themes emerged: (1) Obstacles and impact on participation; (2) Disabling accessibility; and (3) Heritage meaning. Discussion The barriers identified by participants are diverse and differ according to the person and the type of disability. However, social and leisure activities were particularly limited, despite the strategies developed by some participants. Participants in the study demonstrated an interest in accessing to heritage places, therefore it seems essential to consider the needs of people with disabilities when developing accessibility solutions, and to seek a balance between preserving heritage and promoting inclusive and equitable access for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Ruiz-Rodrigo
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Ernesto Morales
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Maryem Lakoud
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jonathan Riendeau
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Miranda Lemay
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Ariane Savaria
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Samuel Mathieu
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Feillou
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Industrial Relations Department, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - François Routhier
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec City, QC, Canada
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Pettersson C, Baudin K, Hedvall PO. The struggle for access - a qualitative document study of how people using wheeled mobility devices experience exclusion and discrimination. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2024; 19:537-545. [PMID: 35930498 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2107094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The overall aim of this study was to describe experiences of discrimination due to inaccessibility among people using mobility devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a thematic qualitative analysis of 88 complaints about wheeled mobility device use, inaccessibility, and discrimination submitted to the Swedish Equality Ombudsman (DO) during 2015 and 2016. RESULTS The analysis resulted in three themes: instigating change by invoking laws and regulations and highlighting lack of compliance; demanding to be recognised, understood, and listened to; and struggling for equal access and social participation. Regulations and treaties were invoked as the basis for complaints by people using mobility devices regarding their lack of access to physical environments and impediments to their enjoyment of their full right to participate in and contribute to society. The complaints described feelings of discrimination, the disadvantages and exclusion due to physical inaccessibility, and experiences of being prevented from living one's life as others do. CONCLUSIONS Complaints filed by people using mobility devices showed that they were denied access to a wide range of contexts, including offices, theatres, restaurants, schools, and public transportation, though they desired to live an active and social life outside their homes. Filing a complaint was a way to take action, highlight present inaccessibility, and express a hope for change.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONDifficulties experienced by people using wheeled mobility devices can reveal knowledge important for revising existing design and renovation standards for housing and public buildings.Documenting facilitators and barriers in different environments is important for giving voice to the needs of wheeled mobility device users and revealing standards that need to be strongly enforced or revised.People using wheeled mobility devices should be supported in finding solutions in inaccessible environments, both to fulfil their wishes and to enable their participation in society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katarina Baudin
- School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Gonzalez Bohorquez N, Stafford L, McPhail SM, Selim SM, Kularatna S, Malatzky C. Disability, equity, and measurements of livability: A scoping review. Disabil Health J 2024; 17:101521. [PMID: 37722993 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Livability is a concept commonly featured in health research to help shape public policy decisions and improve local place settings. Although widely used, it is a contested concept known for its ambiguity and inconsistency of measurements. Other criticisms include the lack of equity perspectives and the underrepresentation of people with disabilities and inhabitants of non-metropolitan places. OBJECTIVES This review sought to identify the extent to which people with disabilities and non-metropolitan places are included in measurements of livability and to critically review and summarise i) livability definitions and uses, ii) livability places and populations, and iii) livability measurements. METHODS The scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The data extraction used meta-aggregation techniques to evaluate findings. A standardised mixed methods appraisal tool was used, and a novel classification of measurements was created. RESULTS Seventy-seven articles were included, and 1955 measurements were extracted. The overarching findings were: i) livability is inconsistently defined and assessed by measuring the performance of related and independent domains, ii) the population sample or the studies' participants are often not disclosed, non-metropolitan settings are overlooked, and equity is not generally applied or operationalised in measurements, and iii) there is an extensive lack of measurements considering people with disabilities and diversity within disabilities. CONCLUSIONS The assumptions of homogeneity in study populations in livability measurement literature overlook inequities experienced by people with disabilities and inhabitants of non-metropolitan settings. This review suggests recommendations for future research to assess livability from perspectives inclusive of human diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Gonzalez Bohorquez
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Lisa Stafford
- School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia and School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Steven M McPhail
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Shayma Mohammed Selim
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Sanjeewa Kularatna
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Christina Malatzky
- Centre for Justice, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
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Smedberg E, Slaug B, Carlsson G, Gefenaite G, Schmidt SM, Ronchi E. The Egress Enabler: Development and psychometric evaluation of an instrument to measure egressibility. Disabil Health J 2023; 16:101396. [PMID: 36372652 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Egressibility has been defined as a person-environment fit issue and describes accessibility to means of evacuation. Although egressibility concerns everyone, it has become a useful concept particularly in relation to safety and accessibility for people with functional limitations, commonly highlighted as a vulnerable group in egress scenarios. Egressibility is an important safety factor, but there has been limited efforts trying to quantify it. OBJECTIVE The aim has been to develop an instrument to measure egressibility in public buildings, as well as conducting initial psychometric testing of the instrument. METHODS The Egress Enabler is based on the previously developed Housing Enabler instrument. The Egress Enabler was developed in several steps by an interdisciplinary team, incorporating an expert panel and a case study. RESULTS Evaluation of content validity was in line with previous similar efforts, inter-rater reliability was considered "good" to "excellent" by means of intraclass correlation, and qualitative assessment of construct validity showed theoretically sound results. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that an instrument like the Egress Enabler is needed for a systematic evaluation of egressibility during design. construction or operation. This is needed for ensuring equal access to egress for people with functional limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Smedberg
- Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Björn Slaug
- Department of Health Science, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Carlsson
- Department of Health Science, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Giedre Gefenaite
- Department of Health Science, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Steven M Schmidt
- Department of Health Science, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Enrico Ronchi
- Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
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Jones L, Murray M, Gomes RSM. Moving Towards Inclusivity: A Call for Increased Speed and Intensity in Making Fitness Facilities Accessible for People with Visual Impairments. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x221133938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Jones
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research, London, UK
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Mariam Murray
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research, London, UK
- Thomas Pocklington Trust, London, UK
| | - Renata S. M. Gomes
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research, London, UK
- Northumbria University, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Northern Hub for Veterans
and Military Families Research, UK
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Life Cycle Assessments of Circular Economy in the Built Environment—A Scoping Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14116887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Circular Economy (CE) is gaining traction throughout all industries and nations globally. However, despite several attempts, no one-off solutions for assessing the benefits and pitfalls of CE have been established, and neither have any measures with which to determine decisions. In line with this general observation, the Built Environment (BE) is no different. A tendency is observed in which, for the assessment of the environmental impacts of CE, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been deemed suitable. This paper presents a scoping review, using the PRISMA statement extension for scoping reviews, documenting how LCA has been applied for assessment of CE in the BE. The review covers a broad scope of literature, scoping the landscape, and delimits it into publications where CE strategy has been defined explicitly and described as a CE investigation. Among the LCAs applied, the dominant system boundary choice is the attributional approach. The authors open the discussion on whether this is actually suitable for answering the questions posed in the CE paradigm. From the review, and the discussion, the conclusion suggests that there is no dominant procedure in applying LCA of CE in the BE, even despite commonly developed LCA standards for the BE. Few studies also present the consideration to reconsider the applied LCA, as CE puts new questions (and thereby a potentially greater system boundary, as CE may imply greater societal consequences) that do not necessarily fit into the linear LCA framework currently applied in the BE.
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