THE STEPS PROJECT - PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH TO REDUCE FALLS IN PUBLIC PLACES AMONG SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Through a process of participatory action research involving a telepho ne hotline, the STEPS project compiled data over a nine month period o n the location and nature of 791 pedestrian slips, trips, falls and po tential hazards in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Of the 533 people who reported a slip, trip or fall, the majority (80% ) were female, and the average age was 65.27 years. Thirty-five percen t (n=186) had some type of physical disability and many (n=106) report ed using a mobility aide at the time of their accident. Most callers ( 75%) said they had suffered an injury, and of these 55% required medic al attention. The most frequently reported fall locations were sidewal ks and crosswalks. Major recommendations from the study include the ne ed for municipal priority-setting for repairs with input from key user groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.