Crossing the road with a disability : are we building what the mobility impaired really need?

Results of focus group discussions with people with disabilities have been compared to the perceptions of local government practitioners responsible for the implementation of crossing facilities. Both groups were asked to rank the importance of l8 crossing facility characteristics. The results were then compared using a chi squared analysis to determine if there is a difference in perceptions. The analysis found that there is a statistical dependence between the two samples for the majority of characteristics. That is, there is a difference in opinion between the two sample populations. The disabled community had a greater tendency to consider characteristics 'critical' to the crossing task whilst local government considered the same characteristic 'important or desirable'. This raises further questions. If we do not adequately assist the mobility impaired in the simple task of crossing the road what else are we doing wrong and what impact does that have on maintaining a community mobility. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211783.