Barriers and Facilitators to Community Mobility for Assistive Technology Users

Abstract

Mobility is frequently described in terms of individual body function and structures however contemporary views of disability also recognise the role of environment in creating disability. Aim. To identify consumer perspectives regarding barriers and facilitators to optimal mobility for a heterogeneous population of impaired Victorians who use assistive technology in their daily lives. Method. An accessible survey investigated the impact of supports or facilitators upon actual and desired life outcomes and health-related quality of life, from 100 AT users in Victoria, Australia. This paper reports upon data pertaining to community mobility. Results. A range of barriers and enablers to community mobility were identified including access to AT devices, environmental interventions, public transport, and inclusive community environs. Substantial levels of unmet need result in limited personal mobility and community participation. Outcomes fall short of many principles enshrined in current policy and human rights frameworks. Conclusion. AT devices as well as accessible and inclusive home and community environs are essential to maximizing mobility for many. Given the impact of the environment upon the capacity of individuals to realise community mobility, this raises the question as to whether rehabilitation practitioners, as well as prescribing AT devices, should work to build accessible communities via systemic advocacy.

Hispanic Older Adult’s Perceptions of Personal, Contextual and Technology-Related Barriers for Using Assistive Technology Devices

“…Consistent with the findings of a survey conducted in the USA by Carlson and Berlan [37] with people with disabilities, lack of funding was a barrier to access AT devices. Under-resourcing of government equipment provision schemes has also been identified in Australia as a barrier for AT [38]. …”

Understanding the role of technology for meeting the support needs of older adults in the USA with functional limitations

“…AT adoption is particularly important to the sustained independence of older adults, increasing the feeling of autonomy compared to reliance on a formal or informal caregiver. For older adults with impairments, AT has been proven to have great potential in enabling activity, increasing safety, and improving access to society and the community 46,47,[56][57][58] . One of the key characteristics of these technologies is their ability to be customizable to the individual seeking to use them.…”

The Relations between Disability and Environmental Factors: A Pilot Study in Iranian Older Adults

“…On the other hand, some other studies have shown different barriers; help in home for Americans (Dijkers et al, 2002), unavailability of services and policy barriers (Nobakht et al, 2011), unavailability of technology, especially, aid instruments (Layton, 2012). Different population, methodology and statistical approaches in research plus social‚ cultural and economical differences might produce this dissimilarity.…”

“…Other studies have demonstrated that natural and transportation barriers have the most effect on disability (Ephraim et al, 2006;Han et al, 2005;Leff, Stallones, Xiang, & Whiteneck, 2010;Keysor et al, 2010;Nobakht, Rassafiani, & Rezasoltani, 2011;Whiteneck et al, 2004). A few studies have shown different barriers such as the unavailability of services, and policy barriers (Nobakht et al, 2011), unavailability of technology, especially, aid instruments (Layton, 2012), and attitude and support barriers (Nichols, Tchounwou, Mena, & Sarpong, 2009). …”