Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
BackgroundThe prevalence of sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities in Canada underscores the need to address environmental barriers. This study adapts and validates the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) tool to assess the challenges t...
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JMIR Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | JMIR Research Protocols |
| Online Access: | https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60553 |
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| author | Atiya Mahmood Farinaz Rikhtehgaran Rojan Nasiri Niloofar Hedayati Sepehr Pandsheno Aislynn Sharrock Diana Juanita Mora Sogol Haji Hosseini François Routhier W.Ben Mortenson |
| author_facet | Atiya Mahmood Farinaz Rikhtehgaran Rojan Nasiri Niloofar Hedayati Sepehr Pandsheno Aislynn Sharrock Diana Juanita Mora Sogol Haji Hosseini François Routhier W.Ben Mortenson |
| author_sort | Atiya Mahmood |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundThe prevalence of sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities in Canada underscores the need to address environmental barriers. This study adapts and validates the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) tool to assess the challenges the built environment poses for individuals with disabilities, aiming to inform policy changes for accessibility and inclusivity.
ObjectiveThis study aims to (1) adapt the SWAN tool for those with hearing, vision, or cognitive disabilities; (2) validate SWAN tool for researching environmental barriers for people with disabilities, including older adults; and (3) offer insights for policy changes in the built environment, contributing to literature and guiding future research.
MethodsThe study uses a community-based research approach, carried out over 4 phases within an 18-month period in British Columbia. Phase 1 includes adapting and pilot-testing of the SWAN tool. In Phase 2, street intersections are identified for data collection using Geographic Information System tools and consultations with municipal officials. Phase 3 involves recruiting participants across four disability categories. The final phase includes analyzing the data and disseminating findings.
ResultsData collection concluded in September 2024, involving 80 eligible participants across four streams in preidentified hotspots. The results are expected to be published in March 2025. To date, data collection is ongoing, and we are currently in the process of data analysis.
ConclusionsThis study will contribute to the growing body of research on built environment accessibility by adapting the SWAN tool for individuals with diverse disabilities. By identifying key barriers in urban spaces, the study aims to inform policy changes that will lead to more inclusive, accessible, and safe urban environments for all individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-005334823cfa4e2e9dde259ded7f8030 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1929-0748 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Research Protocols |
| spelling | doaj-art-005334823cfa4e2e9dde259ded7f80302025-08-20T02:16:22ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Research Protocols1929-07482025-04-0114e6055310.2196/60553Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods StudyAtiya Mahmoodhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4986-0979Farinaz Rikhtehgaranhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5667-2605Rojan Nasirihttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-1893-4495Niloofar Hedayatihttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-8876-8474Sepehr Pandshenohttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-5249-3865Aislynn Sharrockhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-9684-2126Diana Juanita Morahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9356-163XSogol Haji Hosseinihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6332-119XFrançois Routhierhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5458-6233W.Ben Mortensonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0183-6163 BackgroundThe prevalence of sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities in Canada underscores the need to address environmental barriers. This study adapts and validates the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) tool to assess the challenges the built environment poses for individuals with disabilities, aiming to inform policy changes for accessibility and inclusivity. ObjectiveThis study aims to (1) adapt the SWAN tool for those with hearing, vision, or cognitive disabilities; (2) validate SWAN tool for researching environmental barriers for people with disabilities, including older adults; and (3) offer insights for policy changes in the built environment, contributing to literature and guiding future research. MethodsThe study uses a community-based research approach, carried out over 4 phases within an 18-month period in British Columbia. Phase 1 includes adapting and pilot-testing of the SWAN tool. In Phase 2, street intersections are identified for data collection using Geographic Information System tools and consultations with municipal officials. Phase 3 involves recruiting participants across four disability categories. The final phase includes analyzing the data and disseminating findings. ResultsData collection concluded in September 2024, involving 80 eligible participants across four streams in preidentified hotspots. The results are expected to be published in March 2025. To date, data collection is ongoing, and we are currently in the process of data analysis. ConclusionsThis study will contribute to the growing body of research on built environment accessibility by adapting the SWAN tool for individuals with diverse disabilities. By identifying key barriers in urban spaces, the study aims to inform policy changes that will lead to more inclusive, accessible, and safe urban environments for all individuals.https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60553 |
| spellingShingle | Atiya Mahmood Farinaz Rikhtehgaran Rojan Nasiri Niloofar Hedayati Sepehr Pandsheno Aislynn Sharrock Diana Juanita Mora Sogol Haji Hosseini François Routhier W.Ben Mortenson Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study JMIR Research Protocols |
| title | Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study |
| title_full | Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study |
| title_fullStr | Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study |
| title_short | Adaptation of the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighborhoods (SWAN) Tool for Individuals With Diverse Disabilities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study |
| title_sort | adaptation of the stakeholders walkability wheelability audit in neighborhoods swan tool for individuals with diverse disabilities protocol for a mixed methods study |
| url | https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60553 |
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