Addressing challenges for youths with mobility devices in winter conditions

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Inclusive Design

Background:

• Winter navigation research for urban mobility device users is limited, primarily focusing on the elderly.
• Existing urban environments often fail to meet the needs of individuals with limited mobility during winter.
• Youth who use wheelchairs experience unique challenges in accessing and participating in winter activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore design solutions for enhancing young people's mobility devices and the built environment for improved winter accessibility.
• To address the specific needs of youth who use wheelchairs in navigating urban winter conditions.
• To foster greater inclusion and participation of young wheelchair users in winter activities.

Main Methods:

• A multi-method qualitative approach incorporating in-depth interviews and photo elicitation.
• Co-design sessions involving 13 youths (aged 12-21) who use wheelchairs, alongside their parents.
• Feasibility discussions with mechanical engineers and therapists/clinicians in two Canadian cities.

Main Results:

• Youth and parents identified significant winter-related challenges and proposed targeted design solutions.
• Two feasible designs emerged: a wheelchair traction device for snow and a roller mat for tire snow/dirt removal.
• The study highlighted frustrations and barriers faced by young wheelchair users in winter, underscoring the need for innovative solutions.

Conclusions:

• Therapists, clinicians, and designers must prioritize winter accessibility issues in snow-prone regions.
• Findings provide a foundation for further research into person-environment interactions in winter conditions.
• Improved design solutions are crucial for enabling young wheelchair users to engage in outdoor and social winter activities.