«Design for All» in Social Research on Persons with Disabilities

[EN] Social studies on disability have increased in number and importance in Spain and other countries over the last few years. Nevertheless, the majority of the available sources and studies do not adequately represent this heterogeneous group, which currently makes up about 9 per cent of the Spanish population. The implementation of social measures requires representative sources and studies containing relevant information. The aim of this paper is to identify the main diffi culties involved in designing and developing social research methods concerning persons with disabilities, and offer proposals and recommendations in order to advance towards a more inclusive social research using the concepts of accessibility and design for all.[ES] Los estudios sociales sobre la discapacidad han aumentado en número e importancia en España y otros países durante los últimos años. Sin embargo, la mayoría de fuentes de información y estudios disponibles no recogen de manera adecuada la realidad de un colectivo muy heterogéneo, que supone en la actualidad aproximadamente el 9 por ciento de la población española. La implementación de medidas sociales requiere de fuentes y estudios representativos que aporten información precisa acerca de estas personas. El objetivo de esta nota es identifi car las principales difi cultades que se plantean a la hora de diseñar y llevar a la práctica metodologías de investigación social adecuadas hacia las personas con discapacidad, así como ofrecer propuestas y recomendaciones para avanzar hacia una investigación social más inclusiva, mediante los conceptos de accesibilidad y diseño para todos.Trabajo realizado en el marco de los proyectos de investigación: “Qualitative Tracking with Young Disabled in European States. Quali-TYDES” (European Science Foundation, 09-ECRP-032) e “Innovación oculta: cambio de paradigma en los estudios de innovación” (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, FFI2011-25475).Peer reviewe

Economic Incentives of a Non-handicapping Built Environment: A Case Study of Tourism Sites in Stockholm

More than 10% of the world population comprises persons with disabilities as a result of mental, physical or sensory impairment. Nevertheless, they are legally entitled to the same rights and obligations as all other human beings. However, too often their lives are handicapped by physical and social barriers that hamper their active and full participation. Because of this, thousands of them in all parts of the globe often face a life that is segregated and debased. The ultimate responsibilities of remedying the conditions that led to their impairment and dealing with the consequences of disabilities rest with the national governments. In spite of this, it doesn’t deprive individuals of contributing their quota to national development. In a bid to look at disabilities and related matters from the social perspective – the traditional approach - the study was undertaken to examine the economic benefits of making the built environment accessible to persons with disabilities by focusing on the tourist industry. It concentrated on sites within Stockholm and its environs. For many years policies and advocacy strategies were based on different social models however, since duty bearers including the governments have always been lamenting on the cost of inclusive society, I feel it is critical that this area is research to validate the fears. Therefore, it is  anticipated that the findings will serve as a source of information for policy makers, academics, researchers, non-governmental organizations, the business community,  and other institutions interested in the pursue of equal rights and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. The major tasks of the study were to: Examine how the business community views persons with disabilities, Investigate awareness among decision-makers of the market potential of persons with disabilities, Examine the strategies of integrating them into the overall market mix and why, Identify some profit indicators and constraints posing as major hindrances. The major findings are: There is a high level of awareness of the potential market of persons with disabilities and those who have decided to seize the opportunities are reaping the financial rewards as manifested by an increase in accessible rooms, a high-rate occupancy and the reasonable impact the accessible rooms have on the overall occupancy rate. The major constraints are lack of experts and awareness. Keywords: persons with disabilities non-handicapping, built environment, accessibility, disability, universal design, and conventional design

Economic Incentives of a Non-handicapping Built Environment: A Case Study of Tourism Sites in Stockholm

More than 10% of the world population comprises persons with disabilities as a result of mental, physical or sensory impairment. Nevertheless, they are legally entitled to the same rights and obligations as all other human beings. However, too often their lives are handicapped by physical and social barriers that hamper their active and full participation. Because of this, thousands of them in all parts of the globe often face a life that is segregated and debased. The ultimate responsibilities of remedying the conditions that led to their impairment and dealing with the consequences of disabilities rest with the national governments. In spite of this, it doesn’t deprive individuals of contributing their quota to national development. In a bid to look at disabilities and related matters from the social perspective – the traditional approach - the study was undertaken to examine the economic benefits of making the built environment accessible to persons with disabilities by focusing on the tourist industry. It concentrated on sites within Stockholm and its environs. For many years policies and advocacy strategies were based on different social models however, since duty bearers including the governments have always been lamenting on the cost of inclusive society, I feel it is critical that this area is research to validate the fears. Therefore, it is  anticipated that the findings will serve as a source of information for policy makers, academics, researchers, non-governmental organizations, the business community,  and other institutions interested in the pursue of equal rights and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. The major tasks of the study were to: Examine how the business community views persons with disabilities, Investigate awareness among decision-makers of the market potential of persons with disabilities, Examine the strategies of integrating them into the overall market mix and why, Identify some profit indicators and constraints posing as major hindrances. The major findings are: There is a high level of awareness of the potential market of persons with disabilities and those who have decided to seize the opportunities are reaping the financial rewards as manifested by an increase in accessible rooms, a high-rate occupancy and the reasonable impact the accessible rooms have on the overall occupancy rate. The major constraints are lack of experts and awareness. Keywords: persons with disabilities non-handicapping, built environment, accessibility, disability, universal design, and conventional design

Journal of Accessibility and Design for All

This volume 2, number 1 of the Journal of Accessibility and Design for All comprises a selection of papers presented at the IV International Congress on Design, Research Networks, and Technology for all held in Madrid, June, 27 - 29, 2011. This congress is promoted by the ONCE Foundation for cooperation and social inclusion of persons with disabilities and intends to monitor the progress of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Therefore, papers here presented cover different areas related to learning, health, communication and social life, which are also in line with the philosophy of the journal and complement some of the five research areas of this journal.Peer Reviewe

Standard Operating Procedure for the Arrests and Detentions of Individuals with Autism in Four Countries

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is categorized under neuro-developmental disorders. Individuals with this disorder experience deficits in social interaction and communication skills as well as repetitive patterns of thoughts and behaviours. The purpose of this study was to comparatively analyze the similarities and differences in Malaysian PDRM Autism SOPs with other countries, namely Malaysia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and four countries in the United States, namely, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Illinois, and Virginia. This research focuses on discussing the important elements emphasized in SOPs and some aspects of similarities and differences between them. The research design is based on document analysis. The data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Research results that autistic people put them at risk of committing violations of the law without realizing or intending to do so. Since they are also categorized as persons with disabilities, they are thus entitled to legal guarantees appropriate to their status. Therefore, their rights to equality and non-discrimination as persons with disabilities attracted worldwide attention holistically, resulting in specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in several countries, including Malaysia, namely, the Royal Malaysian Police Autism SOP (PDRM). Likewise, there are several important elements outlined in all SOPs, in aspects of their application, legal references, methods of arrest and detention, and intermediary assistance, and there are some similarities and differences between the SOPs analyzed. The implications of this study show the importance of SOPs for autism arrest and prisoners, to meet their specific legal needs

Participant perceptions of physical activity-enhancing interventions for adults with disability: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enshrines the rights of disabled people to access services in all areas of citizenship including participation in recreational, leisure and sport activities. Despite this protection, people with disabilities face multiple personal, environmental and social barriers to participation in physical activity (PA). As a result, disabled people are more likely to be inactive compared to the able bodied population and are at a greater risk of inactivity-related diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need for behaviour change interventions to increase PA by specifically addressing the situations of people with disabilities and their barriers to participation. This original meta-synthesis of qualitative research was undertaken to explore participants’ perceptions of PA-enhancing interventions for adults with physical disability. To identify published articles relevant to the meta-synthesis, a rigorous systematic search of electronic databases and hand search of relevant journals was undertaken. In total, 76 papers were read in full, and based on the inclusion criteria, 10 papers were included for review. Following a critical appraisal of the papers, methods of thematic synthesis were drawn upon to generate analytical themes through interpretation and conceptual synthesis. Seven interrelated analytical themes were constructed representing both components and outcomes of the interventions. These were: (i) social support; (ii) diversity; (iii) communication; (iv) behavioural strategies; (v) changing thoughts; (vi) knowledge; (vii) health and well-being. The results of this meta-synthesis provide significant new information that will help interventionists design more effective PA-enhancing interventions, and researchers to better identify and measure key mechanisms and outcomes associated with successful PA-enhancing interventions for people with disabilities

The prospects for universal disability law and social policy

The worldwide disarray of disability social policy and law requires a new foundation to make it coherent and to remedy persistent contradictions, disincentives and other policy anomalies. In this paper we clarify and expand Irving Zola’s call for ‘universalized disability policy’ and develop his insight by drawing upon the well-known principles of Universal Design (UD), or Design for All, in architecture, product development and city planning to formulate analogous principles of universally designed disability social policy and law. Our objective is to show, by means of two examples - one in health care delivery and the other in welfare or social support policy - that ‘universalized’ policy for and on behalf of persons with disabilities is feasible. We find that there are some, albeit limited, examples of universalizing policy in these areas and suggests ways in which the full range of UD principles might be able to be implemented in these two policy areas. What we propose is merely a proof of concept rather than a complete proposal to restructure disability law and policy - which likely not be feasible, given the range of social and economic conditions of countries around the globe. We conclude with some tentative suggestions for areas of empirical research that would further the overall agenda of a universal disability social policy

The views of persons with disabilities on future mobility

The TRIPS project would like to present a summary of its mobility survey findings regarding the views of persons with disabilities on future mobility. The full report of the survey and an overview white paper that we draw from can be found on the TRIPS deliverables webpage. Our work motto is that “You only need empathy in design if you have excluded the people you claim to have empathy for.” (Liz Jackson, Founder of The Disabled List), and hence we involved persons with disability in developing the design suggestions and policy recommendations presented herein along with their mobility needs and challenges and initial attitudes towards future mobility solutions. The survey was accessible online from November 2020 to February 2021. The survey was addressed to persons with different disabilities or people answering on behalf of persons with disabilities. Our survey represents the views of 553 persons with disabilities living in 21 European countries. Our sample was relatively gender-balanced, with 45.8% women. The data shows a balanced spread across the age groups with a mean age of 46.4 years. There is a pro-technology bias as participants require access to and comfort in using the Web. We report on their views on the following nine emerging mobility related systems. People (44%) reported that an accessible journey planner would motivate travel and make journeys more independent, faster, easier, nicer, and safer. In contrast, bike sharing (17%), e-scooters (22%), and motorbike taxis (22%) scored low on all these customer satisfaction dimensions and were the least favoured by all users. On the other hand, cable cars ( 37%), cycle lanes (36%) micro-transit (32%), robotaxis (32%), and ride pooling (27%) hold a promise, but their design needs to be rethought to ensure they accessible. Preferences differed depending on the type of disability depending on their needs. For example, participants with physical impairments had a higher-than-average preference for an accessible journey planner (53%). On the other hand, visually impaired participants were not particularly interested in an accessible journey planner (38%) or cycle lanes (25%). Participants with hearing impairments were not particularly interested in an accessible journey planner (31%) and would use all other solutions at par with other groups. Interestingly, two-wheeled solutions were also least favoured. Those with mental health issues favoured less all other categories, except cycle lanes (45%). Participants and or the carers of persons with intellectual disabilities favoured cable cars (47%), but shy away from solutions such as cycle lanes (18%), micro-transit ( 16%) and ride pooling (14%). Women are more reserved about cycle lanes, e-scooters, ride pooling. cable cars and micro-transit. They are also less open to motorbikes and robotaxis. Interestingly, women’s views are more polarised as to whether they would or wouldn’t use an accessible journey planner. More research is required to understand their reasons behind these findings. When designing future transport systems, attention should be paid to the following complaints presented here in order of priority based on how frequently they were mentioned: 1. Getting on and off the means of transport 2. Reaching the transport mode 3. Using station facilities 4. Travel delays 5. Comfort on board 6. Limited access to information 7. Autonomy 8. Social barriers 9. Accessing help 10. Friendliness of the surrounding environment 11. Getting users oriented To solve the door-to-door accessibility issues, we suggest a systemic approach that requires greater collaboration across urban planning, transport planning, social services, and education systems. In particular, policy-making should: Enable persons with disabilities to own smart technologies and smart assistive technologies to enable them to interact with smart mobility systems; Raise the digital competence and confidence in the use of smart technologies of persons with disabilities; Ensure greater collaboration between urban with transport planning to design accessible routes to modes of transport. Prioritize the accessibility of all vehicles in 'green' fleets to minimize time delays due to inability to board or overcrowding. Invest in the accessibility of cities and transport infrastructure. Invest in public campaigns to improve social attitudes and transport etiquette towards citizens with all types of disabilities and access needs. Make mandatory the participation of disability/accessibility experts in standards developments for vehicles, mobility systems, and transport services. Update and upgrade the laws and policies on EU transport accessibility and passenger rights and their enforcement across member states. Invest in a European Accessible Design Centre of excellence that can provide relevant expertise to European companie

Co-Creating Inclusive Public Spaces: Engaging Underrepresented and Marginalized Communities in the Planning Process

Demographic data show that life expectancy is increasing, due to medical developments, higher living standards, healthier diets, etc. But longer life expectancy also means a higher proportion of the elderly population with various functional handicaps. The concept of functionally disabled people is broad and can include persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, young children and anyone who is permanently or temporarily handicapped in some way. This paper reviews the academic research in the field of architecture in relation to the accessibility of public spaces for persons with disabilities, with a focus on co-creation and community engagement. For all people, independent movement and mobility are essential. A requirement for ensuring the independent movement of persons with disabilities and their integration into society is the physical accessibility of urban areas and buildings. The technical foundations for accessibility design have been established by universal design's principles and guidelines, but they still require aesthetic value to be added. Allowing disabled people access to public spaces increases their visibility, which strengthens their sense of independence and autonomy and promotes a more positive perception of society. Persons with disabilities are less stigmatized as a result of their inclusion in society, and the general public and professionals are more aware of the need to modify environments and services so that everyone can use them. Inclusion of persons with disabilities in society leads to destigmatization and increased awareness among professionals and the general public about the importance of adapting the environment and services so that all users can use them on equal terms. However, more than technical solutions are required to achieve accessibility and inclusion. Co-creation and community involvement are essential components of creating accessible and inclusive public places. Co- creation is a design approach that involves end users and designers working together to jointly develop solutions that are tailored to their needs (Prahalad & Ramaswamy, 2004). Community participation means actively integrating people of the community in the design and planning processes, particularly those who are underrepresented or marginalized, to ensure that their viewpoints are taken into consideration. Architects frequently associate disability with accessibility and compliance with spatial legislation, but they overlook the social aspect of disability and the added value it can bring. Individuals with sensory and physical limitations view spaces differently, giving them a distinct perspective on and experience with the built world. By incorporating underrepresented and marginalized people in the design process, architects can acquire a more diversified perspective on accessibility and inclusivity, leading to more effective and meaningful design solutions. This paper proceeds by saying that community involvement and co-creation are critical for developing inclusive and accessible public spaces. To accomplish accessibility and inclusion, more than simply technological improvements are required; a societal and cultural shift in favour of respecting diversity and strengthening underrepresented and marginalised people is also required. Involving persons with disabilities in the design and planning process may result in a more inclusive and equitable society

Attitudes of health science students towards people with disabilities at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharmThe effects of disability on the individual not only include physical, psychological and emotional adjustments but also negative attitudes of able bodied people towards persons with disabilities. The attitudes of healthcare professionals towards persons with disabilities could affect rehabilitation outcomes as well as the reintegration of these people into society. The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes of health science students towards persons with disabilities at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), in Tanzania. An explorative quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was used. The study sample (182) included all Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Medical and Optometry students. Data was collected using the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Scale,consisting of 20 items rated on a six-point Likert Type Scale. A demographic questionnaire which included questions relating to the contact of the students with persons with disabilities was also administered. Descriptive and Inferential statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15.0. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Higher Degrees Committee and the Senate Research Grant and Study Leave Committee of the University of the Western Cape. Further permission was requested from Ministry of Education, Research and Ethics Department in Tanzania and the authorities of the respective Health Sciences programmes to include students in the study. Information obtained was handled with confidentiality and anonymity, and the students had the right to withdraw from the study at anytime.The results revealed that the sample consisted of more females (58%) than males (41.2%).The majority of the participants were between the ages of 20-29 years. The highest response rate was from the medical students (29.1%) followed by the physiotherapy students (27.5%).The Optometry and physiotherapy students had more positive attitudes than the rest of the health science students who participated. The mean score on the ATDP scale was 59.01 (12.3) with scores ranging from 18 to 90. The results therefore revealed that overall the students had a neutral to negative attitude towards persons with disabilities. With regards to the contact of the students with persons with disabilities 26.9% of the participants responded that they had had a long talk with a person with a disability while only 17.6% of the students responded that persons with disabilities visited their homes. The mean contact score was 22.72 indicating that the students had a slightly above average contact with persons with disabilities. No association was found between the attitude and contact mean scores.Information obtained in this study could be used to influence the curriculum of Health Science Students at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre