ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENT ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

In recent years, our country developed and implemented various public policies aimed at social adaptation of disabled persons, among which is the program «Accessible environment». The study was conducted by method of the main body by means of questionnaires, 110 wheelchair users of the municipal formation of Pargolovo, St. Petersburg. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of accessibility for persons with disabilities. In the course of investigation we studied the parameters characterizing the restriction of mobility of wheelchair users, related to their malevolencies. Quality assessment of accessibility was undertaken in view of the following parameters: openness, adaptability, comfort and security of social infrastructure, culture, leisure and recreation, and skills of interaction of personnel, social infrastructure, culture, leisure and recreation with persons with disabilities. The analysis of the data revealed that most wheelchair users have no restrictions on the freedom neither associated with their malevolence nor in the number of places they can visit, nor in the degree of freedom of movement. However, about a third of respondents in varying degrees, limit or refuse to visit socially important public events and places because of their inaccessibility
and immobility. Quality assessment of accessibility showed the expected results of the program «Accessible environment».