Accessibility Research

KEY FINDING: The study identified ten modifiable factors influencing the health and QOL of community-dwelling people with SCI, categorized into sociostructural and environmental factors.

KEY FINDING: The study identified six key domains of environmental factors: assistive technology; built and natural environment; social environment; services, systems, and policies; access to information and technology; and economic quality of life.

KEY FINDING: The Mobility Clinic model is a viable way of improving access to quality care to patients with SCI and other physical disabilities.

KEY FINDING: Living in communities with greater land use mix and more destinations was associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting optimum social and physical activity.

KEY FINDING: Environmental barriers are prevalent among individuals with chronic SCI, with a significant percentage reporting issues with policies, physical structures, attitudes, support, services, and assistance.

KEY FINDING: Housing adaptations and environmental barriers were common and differed between SCI severity groups; those with AIS D injuries had fewer adaptations and more environmental barriers indoors.

KEY FINDING: Persons with SCI residing in communities with more (versus less) mixed land use were more likely to report poor perceived health.

KEY FINDING: More years living with a spinal cord injury predicted less restriction in autonomy indoors, suggesting adaptation over time.

KEY FINDING: Increased environmental barriers are associated with decreased social participation.

KEY FINDING: 85.1% of participants had at least one home adaptation, with wheelchair-accessible showers being the most common (62.7%).