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Estimating Accessibility Problems in the Swedish Housing Stock Using Citizen Science: The Housing Experiment 2021
Björn Slaug1, Marianne Granbom1, Susanne Iwarsson1
1Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sweden.
Summary
Accessible housing is crucial for older adults, yet data on home accessibility issues is scarce. This study reveals significant environmental barriers in Swedish homes, highlighting the need for better accessibility solutions and validating citizen science for data collection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Gerontology
- Housing Accessibility
- Citizen Science
Background:
- Accessible housing is vital for the aging population, but large-scale data on accessibility issues in general housing is lacking.
- Environmental barriers in homes can significantly impact the quality of life and independence of individuals with functional limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of environmental barriers and potential accessibility problems within the Swedish housing stock.
- To assess the validity and representativeness of housing accessibility data gathered through a citizen science initiative.
Main Methods:
- Data on environmental barriers were collected from 1181 dwellings by citizen scientists.
- Descriptive statistics and ranking methodologies were employed to analyze barrier prevalence and accessibility issues.
- Data validity and representativeness were evaluated by comparing findings with existing public statistics and research.
Main Results:
- A substantial number of environmental barriers exist across Swedish dwellings, creating accessibility challenges for individuals with functional limitations.
- Citizen science, utilizing user-friendly tools and clear instructions, can yield valid and representative data on housing accessibility.
- The study identified specific types of barriers prevalent in the housing stock, providing a basis for targeted interventions.
Conclusions:
- Significant accessibility problems exist in ordinary Swedish housing due to environmental barriers.
- Citizen science projects can be a reliable method for collecting large-scale data on housing accessibility, particularly when engaging older adults.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing environmental barriers to improve housing accessibility for an aging population.
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