Marie Törnbom Jörgen Lundälv Per-Olof Larsson Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg

Accessibility in a long time perspective-as perceived by persons with cerebral palsy or spina bifida

Data collection

All the persons were interviewed by telephone in 1983 (group A), 1997(8)(group A+B) and in 2009(group A+B)

They lived in Gothenburg and could communicate in Swedish

The material presented only includes persons that are not lost to follow in 2009

Background information

In 2009 the mean age was 50 years in group A and 38 years in group B

In 2009 64 % in group A and in group B worked part time or full time

In 2009 54 % in group A and 32 % in group B never used a wheel-chair

Accessibility to rooms in schoolData collected in 1983 group A=28

Compulsory School

79 % thought the rooms were accessible and 11% answered partly (stairs, narrow spaces)

Upper Secondary School (seven persons did not attend Upper Secondary School)

71% thought the rooms were accessible, 24% said partly (stairs, narrow spaces) and 5% said no

Accessibility to rooms in schoolData collected in 1998 group B=25

Compulsory School

36 % thought the rooms were accessible and 60% answered partly (stairs, narrow spaces, hills to school, long ways to go) one person (4%) is missing

Upper secondary School

68% thought the rooms were accessible, 32% said partly (stairs, narrow spaces, lack of resting rooms, lack of elevators)

  1983 Transport 1998 Transport

  Compulsory School n=28

Upper Secondary School n=21

Compulsory School n=25

Upper SecondarySchool n=25

Transportation for the disabled

54 % 48 % 56 % 44 %

Walking 36 % 0 % 56 % 12 %

General tranport system

25 % 38 % 20 % 24 %

Transported by parents

18 % 5 % 0 % 0 %

Bicycle 14 % 0 % 0 % 8 %

Permobil 0 % 0 % 12 % 4 %

Shopper 0 % 5 % 4 % 0 %

Moped 0 % 10 % 0 % 4 %

How did the persons estimate their transport to school in1983 and in 1998?

Transport functioning to school 1983 A 1998 B

Yes 61 % 60 %

Partly 36 % 8 %

No 4 % 32 %

Transport to work in 1997(8)

The majority used a car of their own or transportation for the disabled

Transports to work in 2009

Transport functioning to work 1983 A 1997(8) A+B 2009 A+B

yes 95 % 87 % 74 %

partly 5 % 13 % 23 %

no 0 % 0 % 3 %

How did the persons think about transport to work ?

Comments on transport to school and work

Almost all critical comments emerged from persons not being content with the so called “planet system” in Gothenburg.

Comments on transport to school and work

The most usual comment was that the vehicle did not arrive in time or did not arrive at all in the morning and was delayed home in the afternoon. Long journeys could be very tiring for an aching body.

Comments on transport to work

Some drivers had difficulties finding addresses and could not use GPS, some thought the service was not good enough, and some said that the transportation for the disabled was expensive and the staff driving could be in stress.

Transportation within the work-place

Almost all persons were content with accessibility within the workplace over time in 1983, 1997(8) and 2009

Accessibility in outdoor activities

66% of all persons thought they had or partly had accessibility problems while 34% had no problems in the urban evironment

What problems did they have?

Slippery pavements, curbs, slanting cobbles, not accessible entrances to buildings, stairs, no accessible toilets, few low floor vehicles within general transport system and parking problems

What did they suggest should be done?Suggestions on a structural level

Put sand on pavements; remove cobbles; bevel curbs; alter entrances to buildings; install elevators in all houses; install parking places that are big enough; all vehicles within general transport system should have low floor