Abstract:

Though occupational therapists try to help their wheelchair-bound clients reenter the community or maintain independence, many facilities non-compliance with accessibility standards makes such outcomes difficult. In the present study, a survey was used to investigate the wheelchaire accessibility of 20 grocery and convenience stores. The results of the survey indicate that the types of stores with greatest accessibility in descending order were a) rural grocery stores, b) urban grocery stores, c) urban convenience stores and d) rural convenience stores. No overall differences were found between the urban and rural stores. The types of deficiencies found and their affects on clients' shopping is described. A follow-up study was conducted to see if the store managers who were sent letters notifying them of their stores deficiencies would corrct these problems. 5 of the 20 managers made changes in specific deficient areas whereas the remaining 15 managers made no changes. The survey results and the fact that 25% of stores made the changes after receipt of a letter indicate that occypational therapists can be effective advocates for accessibility and thus provide a vital link to productive living for persons in wheelchairs.