Is the presence of home entrance steps associated with community participation of people with mobility impairments?

Abstract

Little is known about how home entrances are related to community participation for people with mobility impairments. This investigation explored how the need to navigate steps at the entrance of a home affects the community participation levels of people with mobility impairments. This survey study used pre-measure data collected from three different samples. Participants were adults living independently in the community aged 18-94 years old who self-reported having a mobility impairment. Measures included the Brief Community Engagement Questionnaire to examine potential differential effects on the number of non-discretionary trips people make into the community (e.g., getting groceries, medications) versus the number of discretionary activities (e.g., socializing outside the home) people reported over seven days. People with mobility impairments were less likely to report a stepped entrance than people without MI, but when the entrance they use the most had steps they reported significantly higher exertion to use the entrance. The presence of steps had no effect on non-discretionary trips (p=.74), but was associated with 49% (p<.01) fewer discretionary activities reported by people with mobility impairment relative to those without MI. Steps at the home entrance of people with mobility impairment may be an important mediating factor in their level of participation. When researchers and practitioners evaluate interventions that aim to increase community participation of people with mobility impairment, they should control for the presence of steps at their home entrance.