Applying Environmental Context to Rehabilitation Research Using Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems Geospatial Technologies.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health includes important considerations of environmental context in understanding disability, but the environmental impact is often difficult to measure.

Purpose: Demonstrates the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in rehabilitation research in assessing accessibility and participation; describes how to use these methods, and presents several considerations in using GIS and GPS in research.

Method: Using methods from public health and medical geography, this article describes how to apply GIS and GPS technologies to rehabilitation research to measure community participation and accessibility to resources.

Findings: Directions for using ArcGIS functions and case examples joining these mapping technologies with rehabilitation measures are provided.

Conclusions: Together with traditional measures, these technologies may provide rehabilitation researchers a more comprehensive approach to assessing accessibility and participation.