Currently, about 13% of the population ages 21-64 have a disability in the United States and approximately 1.7 million of people use a wheelchair for their mobility needs. Additionally, over 100,000 individuals in the United States use an electric-powered wheelchairs and the use of power wheelchairs has been associated with increased opportunities to participate in society for individuals with mobility disabilities. While assistive devices have facilitated participation, barriers still exist. Approximately 30% of individuals with disabilities reported facing difficulties in accessing transportation compared to 10% of individuals without disabilities and transportation was reported as the most significant barrier related to their work environment. Furthermore, the national employment rate for individuals with disabilities age 21-64 is roughly 38% while the rate of individuals without disabilities is about 80%.
The main objective of this study was to collect data from individuals who use power wheelchairs or scooters. Data were collected and analyzed on variables of transportation barriers, employment, community integration, and health related quality of life. One hundred and two individuals consented to participate in this study.
Significant correlations were found between health related quality of life and community integration scores (Community Integration Questionnaire). Individuals who are employed have a significantly better HRQoL than individuals who are unemployed. No significant differences were found on the basis of self-reported transportation difficulties.
Employment rates for persons who use power wheelchairs are related to the individuals health related quality of life. While previous research has shown that independent transportation is essential to employment for persons with disabilities, this study has shown that individuals who do not experience self-reported transportation difficulties have no difference in employment rates than individuals who experience transportation difficulties.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PITT/oai:PITTETD:etd-04142008-171616 |
| Date | 08 September 2008 |
| Creators | Sporner, Michelle Lynn |
| Contributors | Michael Pramuka, Rory A. Cooper, Michael McCue |
| Publisher | University of Pittsburgh |
| Source Sets | University of Pittsburgh |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04142008-171616/ |
| Rights | restricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Pittsburgh or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
Page generated in 0.0012 seconds