Surveying Barriers to Accessibility Experienced by People with Disabilities in Canada and Quantified Impact on Perceived Quality of Life

Abstract

Purpose: People with disabilities may experience social or physical barriers in their built environment daily. These barriers often contribute to decreased quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to describe current challenges in accessibility for people living with disabilities in Canada and the impact of these on their QoL. Materials and Methods: A survey (online/telephone/mail back) was conducted with individuals identifying as having a disability. Survey questions were focused on one’s experiences with accessibility barriers in five priority areas (built environment, employment, customer service, information and communication, and transportation). Results: A total of 308 individuals participated in the survey. Of the five priority areas, the built environment was reported as the greatest barrier to QoL and information and communication standards and technology had the least impact on QoL. Most reported barriers included the presence of stairs, lack of awareness of disability and ability to provide employment accommodations, issues with presentation of media and text, and transportation service availability. Conclusions: The findings highlight the most frequent barriers impacting one’s QoL for people with disabilities, which include the built environment and transportation challenges. This knowledge is crucial to enhance policy intervention and guidance for accessibility infrastructure in the future.