Impact of inaccessible spaces on community participation of people with mobility limitations in Zambia

Abstract

BackgroundThe study investigated the perspective of people with mobility limitations (PWML) in Zambia, firstly of their accessibility to public buildings and spaces, and secondly of how their capacity to participate in a preferred lifestyle has been affected.ObjectivesFirstly to provide insight into the participation experiences of PWML in the social, cultural, economic, political and civic life areas and the relationship of these with disability in Zambia. Secondly to establish how the Zambian disability context shape the experiences of participation by PWML.MethodA qualitative design was used to gather data from 75 PWML in five of the nine provinces of Zambia. Focus group discussions and personal interviews were used to examine the accessibility of the built environment and how this impacted on the whole family’s participation experiences. The nominal group technique was utilised to rank inaccessible buildings and facilities which posed barriers to opportunities in life areas and how this interfered with the whole family’s lifestyle.ResultsInaccessibility of education institutions, workplaces and spaces have contributed to reduced participation with negative implications for personal, family, social and economic aspects of the lives of participants. Government buildings, service buildings, and transportation were universally identified as most important but least accessible.ConclusionZambians with mobility limitations have been disadvantaged in accessing services and facilities provided to the public, depriving them and their dependants of full and equitable life participation because of reduced economic capacity. This study will assist in informing government of the need to improve environmental access to enable equal rights for all citizens.

Community-based rehabilitation workers’ perspectives of wheelchair provision in Uganda: A qualitative study

“…Similar to the findings in Zambia (Banda-Chalwe et al 2014), barriers to physical accessibility led to significant challenges and health concerns.…”

“…Similarly, even where PWD received appropriate, durable products, mobility was impaired over time by the condition of the wheelchair because of parts stolen by community members, high activity levels in rough terrain areas and inappropriate storage. Further reasons surmised include insufficient user skills and knowledge, lack of compliance and difficulty accessing repair services reflecting similar challenges as also reported by Banda-Chalwe et al (2014).…”

“…Also highlighting the potential role of CBR, Borg, Lindstrom and Larsson (2011b) emphasise the need to carry out research and plan the implementation of strategies, which focus on the various components of provision to ensure contextually appropriate, effective and equitable solutions. Despite having an appropriate wheelchair, contextual barriers (such as environmental accessibility, transport, cultural beliefs, negative attitudes and stereotypical assumptions) can further lead to exclusion or discrimination hindering PWD from accessing or using their wheelchairs in a meaningful way (Banda-Chalwe, Nitz & De Jonge 2014; Borg et al 2012; Smith et al 2014).…”

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“…In understanding the experience of disability in Africa, particularly in terms of poverty and livelihoods, there appears to be a paradox. Disabled Africans face structural factors such as barriers in the environment, in education and in employment, as well as widespread discriminatory attitudes, that limit their chances of achieving success on an equal basis with others (Banda-Chalwe, Nitz & De Jonge 2013; Groce et al 2011; WHO 2011). For example, Eide and Ingstad (2013) summarise the findings of the 2002–2013 series of seven SINTEF surveys on disability in Africa:…”

“…Persons with disabilities are disproportionately unemployed or economically inactive. A detailed study of access barriers for people with mobility impairment in Zambia shows some of the reasons why people with disabilities are so often excluded from education, employment, transport and other social goods (Banda-Chalwe et al 2013). Similarly, there are barriers to participation for deaf people, as was found in Uganda (Mugeere et al 2015).…”