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Topics related to Leisure & Mobility
Mobility challenges
What needs to be considered when facing new mobility challenges?
From the perspective of the human-environment relationship, disability is understood as the result of interaction between people with impairments and the world around them. The barriers that hinder participation and exclude people with disabilities are not only physical barriers. The human-environment relationship highlights how differences between disabled (or otherwise vulnerable or diverse) individuals and non-people with disabilities become evident, often creating disadvantages. This occurs when people face challenges interacting with the world around them, particularly because of mobility or sensory impairments.
An example is individuals using wheelchairs who may struggle with physical barriers like stairs or narrow doorways, while those with visual impairments may face obstacles in navigating spaces without tactile or auditory cues. These external barriers, shaped by the environment, can significantly affect a person’s autonomy in daily life.
In essence, the path to full social inclusion for anyone depends on their ability to interact effectively with their surroundings. When the environment is inaccessible, it limits independence. Achieving true inclusion requires addressing these barriers so that everyone, regardless of their impairments, can fully participate in society.
What are the benefits of mobility access for people with disabilities?
Mobility access for people with disabilities is crucial to ensure equal participation and inclusion in various sectors of life. Benefits include:
- Independence: Mobility access enables individuals with disabilities to move around freely and independently, reducing their reliance on others for transportation or assistance. This independence fosters self-confidence and autonomy.
- Social inclusion: Accessible transportation, buildings, and public spaces allow people with disabilities to participate more fully in social activities, such as going to work, school, shopping, or attending events. It helps prevent isolation and promotes social interaction and integration within the community.
- Health and well-being: Mobility access promotes physical activity and overall well-being by enabling individuals with disabilities to engage in recreational activities, access healthcare services, and participate in fitness programmes or sports events. It contributes to improved physical and mental health outcomes.
What needs to be considered when facing new mobility challenges?
When facing mobility challenges, especially concerning accessibility for people with disabilities, it is important to consider various factors to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Know the Needs: Understand the specific mobility requirements and limitations of the person you are caring for. Consider factors such as whether they use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other mobility aids, as well as any physical barriers or challenges they may encounter.
- Plan the Route: Plan the route in advance, considering accessible transportation options and routes for the person you’re caring for. Use maps and transportation apps that provide accessibility information, such as wheelchair-accessible paths or public transit with ramps and lifts. Make sure you plan for any necessary transfers or assistance along the way.
- Research accessibility features: Before visiting new places or embarking on a journey, research the accessibility features of the destination. Look for information on accessible entrances, ramps, lifts, parking spaces, toilets, and other facilities. Many websites, apps, and online platforms provide accessibility information for various establishments and public spaces..
- Check accessibility reviews: Utilise online review platforms and accessibility-focused websites to read reviews and experiences shared by people with disabilities. These reviews can provide valuable insights into the accessibility of specific locations, including restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and public facilities.
- Contact the establishment: Reach out to the establishment or venue ahead of time to inquire about their accessibility features and accommodations. Ask about wheelchair access, accessible parking, seating options, and any other specific needs you may have. Most businesses and organisations are happy to provide information and assistance to ensure a positive experience for all visitors.
- Utilise accessibility resources: Take advantage of accessibility resources provided by local governments, disability advocacy groups, and community organisations. These resources may include accessibility maps, guides, directories, and hotlines that offer information and support for people with disabilities.
- Explore available mobility services: When planning for accessible travel or daily commutes, it is also essential to explore the different mobility services available for people with disabilities. In Italy, for example, the following options are provided:
- Discounted Bus Passes: Reduced fares on public transport services to ensure affordable and accessible mobility.
- Discounted Taxi/Chauffeur Services (NCC) Rates: Special rates for taxi or chauffeur services, making private transport more accessible.
- Home-to-Work Mobility Allowance for People with Disabilities: Financial contributions to support daily travel between home and workplace.
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What can you do to improve the situation? What is important to reflect on when trying to help and why is it important to continue learning on the topic?
You, as an informal carer, play a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities as they navigate mobility and accessibility challenges. Here are some ways you can contribute to improving their situation:
- Provide emotional support: You can offer emotional encouragement to individuals with disabilities, helping them cope with the frustrations and limitations that may arise from mobility challenges.
- Assist with daily activities: You can help with daily tasks such as transportation, personal care, household chores, and maintaining mobility aids to ensure their well-being.
- Advocate for accessibility: You can advocate for better accessibility in your community by raising awareness about accessibility issues, promoting inclusive practices, and supporting policy changes that benefit individuals with disabilities.
Overall, your involvement can significantly impact the lives of people with disabilities. By providing practical assistance, emotional support, and advocacy, you can enhance their mobility and improve their quality of life. Actively engaging with individuals with disabilities, learning from their experiences, and promoting accessibility and inclusion will help create a more supportive environment for everyone in your care.
Good Practices
Hulpmiddelenwijzer (aids indicator)
Hulpmiddelenwijzer is a website with reliable information about mobility and daily living aids. The website provides a handy overview of all available options by category of activity and disability.
Scouters offer accessible information, independent advice and innovative tools for and by people who want to move better, their informal caregivers and care professionals. You can find solutions, tools and experiences on the Scouters website and their social media.
Het Nederlands Keurmerk voor Toegankelijkheid (The Dutch quality mark for accessibility)
The Dutch quality mark for accessibility tests access to locations and provides advice on how to improve it. When all criteria are met, the location receives a certificate that is valid for three years.
Here you can find (and mark) wheelchair accessible places worldwide. You can also use it as an app on the move: it is available for iOS and Android. App name: Wheelmap.
Be My Eyes is an App developed to help blind and visually impaired people. It connects a global community of blind and visually impaired people and volunteers who can see by combining technology and helpfulness. Through a live video call, volunteers can assist blind and visually impaired users. The app is free and available on iOS and Android. App name: Be My Eyes.
Seeing AI is an app that uses artificial intelligence to narrate the world around you. It is designed with and for the blind and low vision community. You can test a limited version of the app for free. It is available on iOS and Android. App name: Seeing AI.
SOVI is a German app that supports blind and visually impaired people with shopping. It scans barcodes and reads out all important information. The app is free and available on iOS and Android. App name: SOVI.
cityable
A Lisbon-based initiative focused on making cities more accessible, one step-free location at a time. Through a co-productive approach with passengers, it aims to provide high-quality data and solutions to its customers. Link here.
Social Taxi
Social Taxi provides transport and accompaniment services for people with disabilities and people with temporary disabilities or reduced mobility. Specially adapted vehicles are equipped with ramps and safety belts for wheelchairs. Taxi rides for persons with disabilities can be booked to hospitals, educational establishments, appointments with friends, shops, train or bus stations and even institutions in other cities – according to the individual needs of each customer. Services are available 24 hours a day, on working days, public holidays and weekends. Link here.
Patient transportation service
This transport service is for people who: (1) have a participation rate of 55% or less, and are entitled to premium payments for reimbursable medicines due to insufficient income; (2) have a disability and are entitled to a premium for reimbursable medicines on the grounds of insufficient income; (3) people aged 75 years and over who are entitled to a premium for reimbursable medicinal products on grounds of insufficient income; and (4) people who need the transport service because of a medical condition. Transport is divided into two types: non-specialised and specialised. Specialised transport services are provided by someone with a medical qualification. This means that the transport service is provided in an ambulance and the patient’s condition is monitored. Link here.
Transportation for people with disabilities in the city of Kaunas
This transport service is provided to people who, due to disability, illness or old age, can only move in a recumbent position, with the help of a wheelchair or with the help of assistants who supervise them during the transport, and accompany them to and from the vehicle and the appropriate location, and facilitate access to it. People are picked up from their homes premises and taken to educational, healthcare, workplace and other institutions specified in the documents of the social services need assessment and brought back on working days within Kaunas city limits. Link here.
Resources
On the website of the Dutch association for muscular diseases you can find an overview of regulations that can help you improve your own mobility. This includes information on walking aids, wheelchairs, public transport, car travel, and more.
Overview of barrier-free apps
Aktion Mensch offers an overview of some useful barrier-free apps for daily life.
News on the mobility challenges faced by people with disabilities in Lisbon.
Acessibilidade e mobilidade para todos [Accessibility and mobility for all]
Notes for a better interpretation of Decree-Law 163/2006 of 8 August.
Disability parking sign and permit
The Lithuanian Association of People with Disabilities provides information on how to use the disability parking sign and permit when parking a vehicle.