Unhandicapping the disabled: what is possible?
Activity pattern data from a matched sample of 22 able-bodied and 22 spinal cord injured (SCI) men were used to determine the relationship between handicapping conditions (poor access to transportation, low income) and disability. Most subjects were highly educated, earned good incomes, and could be characterized as having adequate resources to achieve a good standard of living. Activity Pattern Indicators reveal that this high-resource SCI group allocated time in a pattern very similar to that of the high-resource, nondisabled group. Significantly less time was spent in active recreation and household tasks. Although the overall time allocation pattern was similar, the groups differed in the tempo of activity entry. The average member of the SCI group switched from one activity to another 20% less often. The findings are discussed in terms of the need for further research and the implications of these findings and of the general approach for a public policy regarding reducing external handicapping conditions. The conclusion is reached that adequate access to resources decreases the impact of impairment in SCI.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*