The Status of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons with Physical Disabilities & Suggested Improvements in Chungnam

Abstract

This study investigated the general characteristics of mobility disadvantaged persons with disabilities, and to suggest implications to ensure personal mobility with the greatest possible independence for the physically disabled in community. The survey questionnaire included the categories as follows: the general characteristics of the participants, the status of outing and mobility, usage of low-floor buses & taxi for the disabled, service improvement, and mobile support center. Data collected from 219 with physical disabilities were analyzed for this purpose by using descriptive statistics. The study results showed that 54.6% of the total tended to go out everyday, and 17.0% rarely. 53.4% could go out without any assistance, and the major obstacles not to go out were stairs and inconvenience of public transportation. 26.9% used low-floor buses, and 71.1% preferred to use taxi for the disabled. The average waiting time for the usage of low-flow buses and taxi was 66.57 minute and 42.65 minute, separately. 78.7% insisted that the function of mobile support center in the community should be expanded, whereas only 49.8% recognized the role of mobile support center. Based on the study results, the researchers suggested to facilitate access by persons with disabilities to mobility aids, and to improve the actual state of pedestrian environment. In addition, the function of mobile support center should be expanded to help the mobility disadvantaged persons live independently in community, thereby contributing to the promotion of their quality of life.