eprintid: 7159
rev_number: 5
userid: 6
dir: disk0/00/00/71/59
datestamp: 2011-11-10 19:37:18
lastmod: 2016-11-15 13:40:17
status_changed: 2011-11-10 19:37:18
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: mls7@pitt.edu
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Sporner, Michelle Lynn
creators_email: mls7@pitt.edu
creators_id: MLS7
title: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND EMPLOYMENT RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO USE POWER WHEELCHAIRS
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_hrs_healthandrehabsciences
full_text_status: public
keywords: disability; employment legislation; transportation legislation
abstract: Currently, about 13% 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, over 100,000 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, barriers still exist. Approximately 30% of individuals with disabilities reported facing difficulties in accessing transportation compared to 10% of individuals without disabilities and transportation was reported as the most significant barrier related to their work environment. Furthermore, the national employment rate for individuals with disabilities age 21-64 is roughly 38% while the rate of individuals without disabilities is about 80%.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, employment, community integration, 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, 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.
date: 2008-09-08
date_type: completed
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Pramuka, Michael
etdcommittee_name: McCue, Michael
etdcommittee_name: Cooper, Rory A
etdcommittee_email: mpramuka@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: mmccue@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: rcooper@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_id: MPRAMUKA
etdcommittee_id: MMCCUE
etdcommittee_id: RCOOPER
etd_defense_date: 2008-03-20
etd_approval_date: 2008-09-08
etd_submission_date: 2008-04-14
etd_access_restriction: 5_year
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
assigned_doi: doi:10.5195/pitt.etd.2011.7159
thesis_type: thesis
degree: MS
committee: Michael Pramuka (mpramuka@pitt.edu) - Committee Chair
committee: Michael McCue (mmccue@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
committee: Rory A. Cooper (rcooper@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
etdurn: etd-04142008-171616
other_id: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04142008-171616/
other_id: etd-04142008-171616
citation:   Sporner, Michelle Lynn  (2008) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND EMPLOYMENT RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO USE POWER WHEELCHAIRS.  Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)  
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/7159/1/SpornerML_ETD2008.pdf