Research Article

Barriers and Facilitators to Community Mobility for Assistive Technology Users

Table 3

Unmet need for accessible community environs.

ICF Chapter;
Issues and Examples
Supporting quotes (verbatim)

ICF Chapter 2
Public buildings
“When buildings are renovated or first built of they should have ramps, easy opening doors, access to upper floors and counters that are accessible to people in wheelchairs”
Issue: “Universal design in all public buildings, and private buildings designed for the public for example, hotels, restaurants”“easy access to buildings would save huge amounts of time and stress”
Examples:
 Stepless entry;(I want to) “Have a choice about what cafes and shops I go to. Freedom not to plan my every move.”
 Easy open doors;
 Accessible toilets;“If more workplaces were wheelchair friendly then maybe people with disabilities would be more easily included in work!”
 Appropriate height reception/sales desks at shops and other venues;
 Seating;“a bad access example is when i go to vote. I have trouble getting into the building and I need a lot of help as access is through a very steep temporary ramp… i need to go with a carer”
 Accessible swimming pools/gyms

Instances of unmet need reported: 48
Percentage of unmet need (36%)

ICF Ch 2 &5 Public transport“A change to disabled parking would be most beneficial—as I cannot park in ordinary parking bays, I have to wait sometimes up to two hours for a disabled parking bay”
Issue: “Travel more freely”
Examples:
 More low floor buses

 Accessible tram stops
[I need] “plenty of places to sit and rest, public transport stops closer together”
“My church is in Melbourne and no trams there yet—got the stops but no accessible trams on that line!”
(I need) “A nearby low floor bus. Closest bus is not accessible. 2.5 Km to nearest accessible bus. Many places unable to go to directly by bus as no low floor bus”
 Large print and talking timetables

Instances of unmet need reported: 31
Percentage of unmet need 23%

ICF Chapter 2 Public Space
“CBD parking in Melbourne not one on steet (sic) park meets the requirements in regards to the width, as my car is fitted with a wheel chair hoist on the roof and i find it difficult to find a park where I’m not lowering my chair into oncoming traffic.”
Issue: “Get out and about… get to things”
“Accessible milk bar nearby—the three I could use (in different directions) all have steps. Improved footpath crossings at intersections”
Examples:
 Continuous paths of travel(I need) “a cut in path in my nature strip near my front door as the nearest cut in the gutter is up the road which when getting a maxitaxi I get rather wet, council will not let me do it even though I was willing to pay”
 Footpaths
 Kerb access
 Tactile street signage“Ongoing need for improvements in footpaths and crossovers everywhere.”
 Street crossings
 Accessible parking

Instances of unmet need reported: 32
Percentage of unmet need: 24%

ICF Ch 3,4,5 Public information and support
Issues: Accessible information

Examples:

 Accessible websites

 Venue access info

 Helpful trained staff
“An impossible change—peoples attitudes, just because I am in a chair I am not stupid!!!!”
“Accessible hotels/holiday venues: this area needs a huge change to accommodate people with disabilities.
Accommodation venues state that they are accessible but they are not or do not meet the Standards. In my case, I will not now go to a venue unless I see photographs of the toilet and shower to ascertain if I will be able to manage when I get there”