Out-of-home Activity Accessibility Checklist for Parents of Children with Gross Motor Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with gross motor dysfunction often face obstacles when performing out-ofhome activities with their children. However, little is known concerning their situation. Objective: This study aimed to develop an out-of-home activity accessibility checklist for parents of children with gross motor dysfunction that clarifies their situation during these activities. Method: Parents of children with gross motor dysfunction participated in semi-structured interviews to generate a tentative accessibility checklist. Then, Delphi questionnaire survey was conducted to determine appropriate checklist items. Result: Fifteen participants involved in the semi-structured interview and 124 tentative checklist items were generated. Then, 56 participants involved in Delphi questionnaire survey and tentative checklist items was reduced to 39. These checklist items were grouped under the domains of obstacles, coping strategies, and required assistance and resources. Most obstacles were caused by the lack of equipped infrastructures. Discussion: Most obstacles faced by parents of children with gross motor dysfunction were caused by the lack of infrastructures that were barrier-free. The parents had to collect extensive information prior to outings as coping strategies. Therefore, parents require society level environment improvement in order to participate in out-of-home activities. The checklist may provide local communities with valuable information to construct more accessible environments and inclusive communities.