Time is a fundamental instrument of orientation for social life, and it is closely intertwined with both public and private spaces and the resources contained therein. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the organization of daily life among women with disabilities in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from the perspective of temporality. Results were obtained by a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, using a sample of 50 women with physical/motor disabilities. They self-reported difficulties when walking and/or climbing stairs. The analysis of time use by individuals with disabilities revealed six main types of activities associated with daily life: personal care, paid work, studying, housework, free time, and travelling from one place to another. The results reveal that although the daily lives of these women are hampered by their functional limitations, their lives are also directly influenced by their physical and social contexts and their attitudes.
Points of interest• Time-use studies are important when planning public policies. However, only a few studies have investigated the use of time by people with disabilities, especially women, in developing countries. • Data were obtained through a combination of questionnaires, time-use diaries, and interviews. It was thus possible to delve into important issues of daily life, as provided by the participants themselves. • The issues addressed in this study may be common to many women with physical/motor disabilities who live in cities of developing countries. The participants identified the difficulties they faced and the strategies they developed when accomplishing a wide range of activities in environments that are often unsuited to their needs.