The Assessment of Quality of Life among Persons with Physical Disability in Urban Environments

Abstract

As a social creature, human seeks to connect with his surrounding space. This connection is feasible through presence in the environment, surrounding accessibility, and vital activities performance. Nowadays, the number of people with disability has been increasing due to wars, various accidents, inheriting diseases, or lack of sanitation services. These people are facing different challenges in order to be in urban spaces and to use needy services. These challenges can be divided into two main categories of mental barriers and physical barriers which cause reduction in quality of life of people with disability and their isolation especially in developing countries. In order to determine effective factors on quality of life of maimed people, Delphi technique and experts opinions are being used (62 questionnaires by the help of experts in two phases). Results show that there are 21 objective and subjective factors in four main realms of social, physical, economic and decision-making structure which impact maimed people`s quality of life. On the other hand, based on the proposed frame work of this study, the capability of ranking cities based on the quality of life of people with disability would be possible. Decision making structure of the city, however, can provide strategies, goals and programs according to the results of this evaluation and afterwards, view the feedback of decisions made in the society. The outcome of the research would appear in the sustainability and vibrancy of urban systems to be used by any social groups (disables, elderlies, and children).