Objective and subjective measures of community participation by persons with lower limb mobility impairments

The purpose of the project was to compare a subjective report of community receptivity and an objective measure of community accessibility for the information they provide relevant to the participation of people with lower limb mobility impairments. Participants in the study completed the Community Participation and Perceived Receptivity Survey (CPPRS), a measure that includes items addressing the importance, choice and satisfaction with participation at specific community destinations. Respondents reported that grocery stores were the most important and most frequently visited community site. They provided information regarding the personal factors and environmental factors that influenced their participation at a specific location. A trained rater then visited each grocery store identified by respondents and administered the Community Health Environment Checklist (CHEC) to objectively determine the physical accessibility of the site. Analysis of the convergence and divergence of information on specific features mentioned in the subjective responses and the objective assessment will be made. A profile of features that serve as the most important facilitators to participation for cohorts of different mobility device users (power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters and canes/crutches/walkers) will be described. The importance of including both an objective and subjective measure for capturing the most relevant perspective of community receptivity, including the barriers or facilitators that influence community participation for a persons with mobility impairments will be provided. This information will be applied to a model of community intervention.