HOME ACCESS MODIFICATIONS - EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY VISITS BY PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL-DISABILITIES

We examined the effects of access modifications to home entrances of p eople with physical disabilities on their reported community outings. An interrupted rime-series design was used, in which the introduction of ramps was staggered across the homes of 6 people with moderate to s evere mobility impairments. Four participants reported increases in we ekly outings following installation of ramps at their entrances, and 2 reported a small decrease. These findings suggest that reducing the r esponse requirements of access to and from the residence of people wit h mobility impairments may increase community visits, but may be insuf ficient given other environmental barriers in the community.