Wheelchair Accessibility—Living the Experience: Function in the Community

Abstract

In this study, we explored the perceptions of three people who use wheelchairs (an elderly person, a mid-life business owner, and a child) about the current architectural accessibility issues in their communities. Employing naturalistic inquiry design, we also explored the participants’ perceptions about the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) on their access to public goods and services. The data were generated from in-depth interviews. The data revealed that the participants were not well-informed about the ADA standards and, therefore, were uninformed of their civil rights, although they were knowledgeable about architectural accessibility problems and recent improvements. They also identified issues of social roles and relationships relative to accessibility and physical barriers. Understanding the perceptions of three individuals from different age ranges may have implications for the role of rehabilitation personnel, and occupational therapists in particular, in providing education and empowerment to bridge entry or re-entry into community settings for people who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

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