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The Effect of Transport Accessibility on the Social Inclusion of Wheelchair Users: A Mixed Method Analysis

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  • Raquel Velho

    (Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London, UK)

  • Catherine Holloway

    (Department of Computer Science, University College London, UK)

  • Andrew Symonds

    (Institute of Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University College London, UK)

  • Brian Balmer

    (Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London, UK)

Abstract

In recent years the accessibility of London buses has improved with the introduction of ramps and wheelchair priority areas. These advances are meant to remove physical barriers to entering the bus, but new conflicts have arisen particularly over the physical space aboard. We aimed to research the barriers faced by wheelchair users in public transport using a mixed methods approach to establish the breadth of issues faced by wheelchair users. To this end we quantified the push-force used alight a bus and a study to understand the coping mechanisms used by people to propel up a ramp. This quantitative approach found push forces which resulted in a load of 2 to 3 times body weight being transferred through people’s shoulders, forces which can be directly linked to shoulder injury. This could disable the user further, preventing them from being able to push their wheelchair. Alongside the quantitative study, we conducted qualitative research comprising of a number of in-depth interviews with wheelchair users about the barriers they face in public transport. Our main claim, highlighted through this interdisciplinary collaboration, is that proposed ‘solutions’ to accessibility, such as ramps, often generate problems of their own. These barriers can affect the life of wheelchair users, impacting on their confidence and causing social isolation. These can be long-term in nature or immediate.

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Velho & Catherine Holloway & Andrew Symonds & Brian Balmer, 2016. "The Effect of Transport Accessibility on the Social Inclusion of Wheelchair Users: A Mixed Method Analysis," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 24-35.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:4:y:2016:i:3:p:24-35
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catherine Holloway & Nick Tyler, 2013. "A micro-level approach to measuring the accessibility of footways for wheelchair users using the Capability Model," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(7), pages 636-649, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Malcolm MacLachlan & Joanne McVeigh & Michael Cooke & Delia Ferri & Catherine Holloway & Victoria Austin & Dena Javadi, 2018. "Intersections Between Systems Thinking and Market Shaping for Assistive Technology: The SMART (Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies) Thinking Matrix," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Elmira Jamei & Melissa Chan & Hing Wah Chau & Eric Gaisie & Katrin Lättman, 2022. "Perceived Accessibility and Key Influencing Factors in Transportation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Flynn, Justin A. & Circella, Giovanni & Venkataram, Prashanth S., 2023. "Disability, Transportation, Activity Performance, and Neighborhood Features in California: Conducting a Focus Group and Designing a Survey," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt0340w08s, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Vanessa Stjernborg, 2019. "Accessibility for All in Public Transport and the Overlooked (Social) Dimension—A Case Study of Stockholm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-16, September.
    5. Miriam Ricci & Graham Parkhurst & Juliet Jain, 2016. "Transport Policy and Social Inclusion," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 1-6.

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