What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility ... · What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility Issues ... and Neighbourhoods Case Study: ... of the study area. These

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What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility Issues Encounter

Daily in the Kingston Galloway Orton Park Neighbourhood?

November 30, 2010

Conrad Lo

Abstract (Summary): This study report illustrates the research study on the topic of mobility

issues in the Kingston-Galloway Orton Park (KGO) area. The study was based on the questions

of"What are the main problems individuals with mobility issues encounter daily in the KGO

neighbourhood?", it explored mobility and accessibility challenges such groups face. The study

goal was to conduct a community based study that started off with the investigation of theories

and clarification of terminology frequently used mentioned throughout the research. It was

followed with three open-ended questions during interview with mobility issue group, allowing

us to gain insight about the issue and conduct an auditing on the selected area. Based on the

research audit survey, it showed that within the study area, Morningside Triangle outperformed

the other areas while Lawrence A venue scored the lowest.

Keywords: Accessibility, Mobility, Walkability

CITC01H3 F- Urban Communities and Neighbourhoods Case Study: East Scarborough

Professor M.Allahwala

Accessibility and Mobility Group Project Research

Report

� What Are The Main Problems Individuals With Mobility Issues

Encounter Daily In The Kingston Galloway Orton Park

N eigborhood?

By: Conrad Lo

Student#:996014806

University of Toronto Scarborough

1265 Military Trail ON MIC IA4

(416) 287-7356

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Conrad Lo

Individual Research Report

Introduction

This study report illustrates the research study on the topic of mobility issues in

the Kingston-Galloway Ortan Park (KGO) area. The study was based on the question of

"What are the main problems individuals with mobility issues encounter daily in the

KGO neighborhood?", it explored mobility and accessibility challenges such groups face.

The study goal was to conduct a community based study that started off with the

investigation of theories and clarification of terminology frequently used mentioned

throughout the research. It was followed with three open-ended questions during

interview with mobility issue group, allowing us to gain insight about the issue and

conduct an auditing on the selected area. Based on the research audit survey, it showed

that within the study area, Morningside Triangle outperformed the other areas while

Lawrence A venue scored the lowest.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2006, Ontario ranked the highest comparing to

other provinces in disability rate. Based on the report, prevalence of disability continues

to rise as age increases and elderly population may contain a disability rate of 44% or

greater (Statistics Canada, 2006). The lack of field research done within disability and

mobility studies and literatures led to such research, in an attempt to redirect emphasis

towards minority groups with challenges, providing an opportunity to have an

understanding about the issue based on their perspective. Such approach allows readers

and community planners to gain an optimal understanding about disability context within

the neighborhood. The research focuses on a community based feedback while

incorporating theories to interpret and to address the importance of the challenges people

with mobility issues encounter daily within Kingston-Galloway Orton Park (KGO) area.

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The research followed a step-by-step methodology which gradually identifies the

underlying social causation of such groups being "disabled", allowing us to clearly

identify their needs. The study further explores the topic through interviews and also

conduct audit of the study area. These data enable us to have a thorough understanding

about the complex process and accurately identify problematic sites and challenges for

people with mobility issues. Such findings enables planners of the community to tackle

the problems and also suggest recommendations for future references and alternate

possibilities.

Theories

Based on disability literature, it is crucial to first investigate fields such as

disability studies and geographies of disability for appropriate approaches. According to

World Health Organization (2001), they used 'disability' as a general term to denote 'a

multidimensional phenomenon resulting from the interaction between people and their

physical and social environment' (p. 242). Such notion encourage disability idea to be

perceived as 'related to limitations in what are considered basic skills for social life.

However, it is not easy to determine what these skills are. In debates on the theme, they

relate to mobility, communication, social interaction, cognition and use of the senses.'

(Bam pi, 2010, pp. 818).

Deborah Kaplan, Executive Vice President of the World Institute on Disability

(WID), explained the various approaches towards the disabled body throughout history.

The moral model originated historically, it view disability as a consequence and

punishment of sin and portrayed disability to be shameful. Modem health studies

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development led to Bio-medical approach in the 191h century which defined disability to

be individual problem and required of curing it. This approach viewed disabled people as

sick people is similar to the rehabilitation model - portrayed people with disability

physical and psychological in need of assistance. However, all three models mentioned

above ignored the role of socio-political structures which encourages oppression and

marginalization (Pain, et al, 2001; Butler, 1998).

Terminology

The following terms proved significant in order to complete identify important

elements of the study.

1. Mobility issued group

The study group selected use of walking assistance devices as the focus group.

The research team determined focus group based on the percentage and relative

representation to the other disabled groups of accessibility need in more general disability

context, such as elderly using shopping carts and mothers with baby stroller, etc.

(Statistics Canada 2006). However, for study purpose, it is required to narrow down the

focus on selected groups.

2. Accessibility

We took apart the term to its basic form and interpret it as the 'ability to access

places'; however, Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide specified the concept that

accessibility also must take in the idea of equal in access and the ease which one may

reach a location, with the focus on physical and non-physical barriers. However, for study

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purposes, the study focused on the environmental obstructions rather than human

behavioral pattern.

Study Area & Methodology

The method applied throughout the study followed a step-by-step building process.

The first phase began with the study of disability literature seeking academic theories and

terminology in order to grasp the importance of topic and specify the target groups. By

doing so, our research group adopted social model of disability to go along our study.

The following phase, researchers established a meeting session with a focus group in

Kingston-Galloway through Dianne Edwards, a Scarborough Centre for Healthy

Communities health promoter. The participants in the meeting were from a wellness

group consisting of 9 individuals from East Scarborough Storefront. There were three

open-ended questions that were posed during the meeting in an attempt to stimulate

discussion as well as gaining a participants-based understanding about the issue.

Question 1)

"What aspects of the built environment (eg. sidewalks, ramps, crossings and so on)

in the neighborhood are the main problems in your daily commute around the KGO

neighborhood?"

During the meeting the participants, they identified the main problems includes

poor quality of sidewalks and ramps, lack of crosswalks that allows safe street crossing,

traffic light time remains insufficient for pedestrian crossing and lack of snow plowing of

sidewalks during wintertime.

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Question 2)

"What areas within the KGO do you consider as the most problematic and/or

dangerous when trying to move around the neighborhood?"

The question led to the determination of the study areas around the KGO area. Firstly the

triangle area located at the intersection between Morningside avenue, Lawrence avenue

and Kingston Road was selected. This area containing banks, restaurants, convenient

stores, coffee shop and also other services is selected because of its geographical

importance within the neighborhood. The second area chosen for the study is along

Lawrence A venue ranging from the Morningside triangle to the bridge linking to Orton

Park. This area contains several housing apartment as well as social facility such as

Storefront as well as poses a connection between Kingston-Galloway and Orton Park.

Furthermore, this area corresponded with our first area making it appropriate for study.

Lastly Centenary Hospital was mentioned frequently during meeting with people with

mobility issues. They pointed out it was essential because it is the nearest hospital around

the study area and also consist a plaza across the health facility. Therefore the

intersection ofNeilson Road and Ellesmere Road, where the Centenary Hospital was

located was chosen. All the three areas were described as lots of vehicles, large amount

of people and that facilities did not satisfy their needs (Map 1 ).

Question 3)

"What kind of changes or initiatives would you like to see in the neighborhood

that would facilitate your mobility, while making your commute safer and more efficient?"

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The participants replied that they wish to see more crosswalks or islands for

crossing along Lawrence A venue as well as better snow removal from sidewalks during

winter time. Through the data obtained in the meeting, our research group was able to

identify the problematic areas and focus on the three locations the participants pointed

out.

Once the areas were identified, the researchers were able to examine the locations

and determine what it lacks to satisfy people with disability. The research group seek to

conduct an audit and follow with an assessment, therefore, had to undergo auditing and

develop a survey tailored for the study, rating the problems mentioned in the meeting

from 1 being poor to 5 being good to fit the study.

Research Findings

The walkability audit was performed twice throughout the course of the study.

The first occurred was in the Hospital area and the second one included Morningside

Triangle as well as Lawrence A venue. In order for a more accurate measure during the

audit, the research group obtained a walking stroller provided by one of the participants

in the meeting. The experience allowed the researchers to undergo the difficulties using

such device and proved to have significantly hindered the travelling time. The use of

stroller amplified the problems within the physical environment. The audit discovered in

all three areas, cracks were huge issues (Picture B, D, I & G). There was despite it is true

that construction in the Morningside triangle did prove to provide improvements,

however, there is a lack of consideration during constructions periods(Picture 0 & N).

The quality of road seemed poor and this poses a great challenge for individuals with

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walkers and other walking devices (Picture G, H, J, K, P & Q). There is also a lack of

curve ramps- in some cases there is curve ramps in one side, however, on the other end

it did not provide such. The steepness of curb ramps (Picture F) also gave difficulty to

people with mobility issues as going up the ramp it required great momentum and it

demanded a great deal of physical capability to do so. The lack of crosswalks in

Morningside Triangle and particularly in Lawrence A venue indirectly encourages people

to jaywalk. It is also coherent that the survey results produced based on the audit, in

average, all three areas scored low in a lot of categories- the score (Data 1, 2& 3)

showed traffic light not long enough, there was not enough safe crossing for people and

the slope in Lawrence A venue was not adequate. The established categories in the survey

were a product of what mobility issued people addressed as well as the research

experience with walking device (Chart 1 ).

Study Limitations

Due to time constraints and limited resources, the study was not able to provide a

more in depth study. The study focused based on the road and nearby facilities that were

identified by the participants during the meeting. Additionally, the lack of funding

prohibits the research group to have access to geographical information system (GIS)

software to provide a greater detailed map. Also, with more funding auditing should be

done by professionals that will allow the production of more knowledgeable graphs and

charts.

Recommendations

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Looking into possible facilities to enhance accessibility, based on Institute of

Transportation Engineers and Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide- Providing Safety and

Mobility (2002) gave recommendations for improvements and considerable solutions

such as diagonal crosswalk painting, allowing pedestrians to cross all ways. Increase

timing for crossing is also encouraged. Based on the report, painting crosswalk cost range

from $100-300; Safety island- for people to take shelter if they were not able to

complete crossing cost $6000-9000 and curve ramps cost $800-1500. These are all

possible and affordable solutions to guarantee a accessible environment for all.

Conclusion

The study conducted by the mobility and accessibility research group commented

the research did provide insight to the topic of challenges for mobility issued groups in

KGO study area in Scarborough, Ontario. However, the group continued to recommend

future study building upon this study is encouraged. The fact that such research were able

to agree on the research group's initial hypothesis suggested that such topic should be

kept in mind as planners continue to develop built environments. It is advised that

planners based study on a community perspective and planners should keep an open mind

and take in considerations of the possibilities to ensure accessibility. It is appropriate to

look into possible facilities and structures within the region as well as internationally.

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References

Bampi, L. N.D.; Guilhem, D.; Alves E. D. (20 10). Social Model: A New Approach of

the Disability Theme. Revista Latina-Americana De, vo/.18, (4), pp.816-823.

Butler, Ruth. 1998. "Rehabilitating the Images of Disabled Youths" in Skelton, T. and G.

Valentine (eds). CoolPlaces. London: Routledge. pp. 83-101.

Stollof E. R. Developing Curb Ramp Designs Based on Curb Radius. Institute of

Transportation Engineers. Retrieved from Institute of Transportation Engineers

website: http://www.ite.org/safety/ITEjournal-curbs.htm

Kaplan, D. The Definition of Disability. The Center for an Accessible Society. Retrieved

from The Center for an Accessible Society website: http://www.accessiblesociety

.org/topics/demographics-identity/dkaplanpaper.htm

Pain, R., Barker, M.,Fuller, D.,Gough, J., MacFarlane, R., and Mowl, G. (2001).

Introducing Social Geographies Chapter 8: Geographies ofDisability

Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide. (2002). Providing Safety and Mobility. U.S.

Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration). Retrieved from

Department of Transportation website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/

resources/fhwasa09027/resources/Pedestrian%20Facilities%20Users%20Guide%

20-%20Providing%20Safety%20and%20Mobility. pdf

Scullion, P. A. (20 1 0). Models of disability: Their influence in nursing and potential role

in challenging discrimination. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Vol. 66(3). pp. 697-

707.

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World Health Organization (200 1 ) . International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health [ICF]. World Health Organization, Geneva.

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Audit Criteria Centenary Sidewalk Wideness Surface Quality (Bump/holes)

Buffer Zone Curb Ramps (quality)

User conflict (Mixed use of bike and pedestrians) Time to cross at traffic light

Crossing provision Deviation from desire line

Data 4: Criteria summary based on the survey scores of each study area.

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Chart 1 : Chart showing the criteria summary based on the survey scores of study area

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Individual Research Report . .

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Picture G

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Picture M

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What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility ... · What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility Issues ... and Neighbourhoods Case Study: ... of the study area. These