Abstract:
Purpose: To find out the perception about accessibility in the community among wheel
chair users with spinal cord injury. Objectives: To identify the structural barriers in house,
to identify the perception about accessibility in community, to detect the environmental
barrier in community, to identify the barrier in spiritual and cultural participation, to find
out the perception about family and social support. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive
approach with semi structured interview used to conduct the study where eleven
participants with SCI who had completed their rehabilitation from Centre for the
Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) were participated selected by purposive sampling
method. The data were collected by using a semi structure open ended questionnaire form
and thematic analysis to determine key theme arising from individuals with SCI. Result:
Participants mentioned a number of barriers they face because of inaccessible
accommodation in their house environment such as kitchen, limited access in toilet,
inadequate space in room, narrow doorway. They also remarked that environmental barrier,
inadequate ramps and faulty outdoor construction, hostile weather also a major barrier in
their community participation. It identifies that, comparatively women wheel chair user
experienced more barrier than man. Stigmatized social attitude and ignorance seems also a
major barrier in community participation. They also remarked that, supportive family and
good social relationship act as a strong facilitator for wheel chair user SCI person for their
community participation. Conclusion: This study highlighted that wheel chair user’s
perception about their inadaptable accommodation, inaccessible environment in
community participation, stigmatized social attitude and also strong contribution of
personal care giver in community participation. Participators felt that if society as well as
government can legislation to advocate persons with disabilities for equal rights with the
aim of moving towards an equal accessible society, these barriers can be removed.
Key word: Perception, wheelchair user, accessibility, spinal cord injury.
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.