?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F7159%2F&rft.title=RELATIONSHIP+BETWEEN+TRANSPORTATION+BARRIERS%2C+HEALTH+RELATED+QUALITY+OF+LIFE%2C+COMMUNITY+INTEGRATION%2C+AND+EMPLOYMENT+RATES+FOR+INDIVIDUALS+WHO+USE+POWER+WHEELCHAIRS&rft.creator=Sporner%2C+Michelle+Lynn&rft.description=Currently%2C+about+13%25+of+the+population+ages+21-64+have+a+disability+in+the+United+States+and+approximately+1.7+million+of+people+use+a+wheelchair+for+their+mobility+needs.+Additionally%2C+over+100%2C000+individuals+in+the+United+States+use+an+electric-powered+wheelchairs+and+the+use+of+power+wheelchairs+has+been+associated+with+increased+opportunities+to+participate+in+society+for+individuals+with+mobility+disabilities.+While+assistive+devices+have+facilitated+participation%2C+barriers+still+exist.+Approximately+30%25+of+individuals+with+disabilities+reported+facing+difficulties+in+accessing+transportation+compared+to+10%25+of+individuals+without+disabilities+and+transportation+was+reported+as+the+most+significant+barrier+related+to+their+work+environment.+Furthermore%2C+the+national+employment+rate+for+individuals+with+disabilities+age+21-64+is+roughly+38%25+while+the+rate+of+individuals+without+disabilities+is+about+80%25.The+main+objective+of+this+study+was+to+collect+data+from+individuals+who+use+power+wheelchairs+or+scooters.+Data+were+collected+and+analyzed+on+variables+of+transportation+barriers%2C+employment%2C+community+integration%2C+and+health+related+quality+of+life.+One+hundred+and+two+individuals+consented+to+participate+in+this+study.+Significant+correlations+were+found+between+health+related+quality+of+life+and+community+integration+scores+(Community+Integration+Questionnaire).+Individuals+who+are+employed+have+a+significantly+better+HRQoL+than+individuals+who+are+unemployed.+No+significant+differences+were+found+on+the+basis+of+self-reported+transportation+difficulties.Employment+rates+for+persons+who+use+power+wheelchairs+are+related+to+the+individual's+health+related+quality+of+life.+While+previous+research+has+shown+that+independent+transportation+is+essential+to+employment+for+persons+with+disabilities%2C+this+study+has+shown+that+individuals+who+do+not+experience+self-reported+transportation+difficulties+have+no+difference+in+employment+rates+than+individuals+who+experience+transportation+difficulties.&rft.date=2008-09-08&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F7159%2F1%2FSpornerML_ETD2008.pdf&rft.identifier=++Sporner%2C+Michelle+Lynn++(2008)+RELATIONSHIP+BETWEEN+TRANSPORTATION+BARRIERS%2C+HEALTH+RELATED+QUALITY+OF+LIFE%2C+COMMUNITY+INTEGRATION%2C+AND+EMPLOYMENT+RATES+FOR+INDIVIDUALS+WHO+USE+POWER+WHEELCHAIRS.++Master's+Thesis%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++