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What are the Main Problems Individuals with Mobility Issues Encounter
Daily in the Kingston Galloway Orton Park Neighbourhood?
November 30, 2010
Conrad Lo
Abstract (Summary): This study report illustrates the research study on the topic of mobility
issues in the Kingston-Galloway Orton Park (KGO) area. The study was based on the questions
of"What are the main problems individuals with mobility issues encounter daily in the KGO
neighbourhood?", it explored mobility and accessibility challenges such groups face. The study
goal was to conduct a community based study that started off with the investigation of theories
and clarification of terminology frequently used mentioned throughout the research. It was
followed with three open-ended questions during interview with mobility issue group, allowing
us to gain insight about the issue and conduct an auditing on the selected area. Based on the
research audit survey, it showed that within the study area, Morningside Triangle outperformed
the other areas while Lawrence A venue scored the lowest.
Keywords: Accessibility, Mobility, Walkability
CITC01H3 F- Urban Communities and Neighbourhoods Case Study: East Scarborough
Professor M.Allahwala
Accessibility and Mobility Group Project Research
Report
� What Are The Main Problems Individuals With Mobility Issues
Encounter Daily In The Kingston Galloway Orton Park
N eigborhood?
By: Conrad Lo
Student#:996014806
University of Toronto Scarborough
1265 Military Trail ON MIC IA4
(416) 287-7356
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Introduction
This study report illustrates the research study on the topic of mobility issues in
the Kingston-Galloway Ortan Park (KGO) area. The study was based on the question of
"What are the main problems individuals with mobility issues encounter daily in the
KGO neighborhood?", it explored mobility and accessibility challenges such groups face.
The study goal was to conduct a community based study that started off with the
investigation of theories and clarification of terminology frequently used mentioned
throughout the research. It was followed with three open-ended questions during
interview with mobility issue group, allowing us to gain insight about the issue and
conduct an auditing on the selected area. Based on the research audit survey, it showed
that within the study area, Morningside Triangle outperformed the other areas while
Lawrence A venue scored the lowest.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2006, Ontario ranked the highest comparing to
other provinces in disability rate. Based on the report, prevalence of disability continues
to rise as age increases and elderly population may contain a disability rate of 44% or
greater (Statistics Canada, 2006). The lack of field research done within disability and
mobility studies and literatures led to such research, in an attempt to redirect emphasis
towards minority groups with challenges, providing an opportunity to have an
understanding about the issue based on their perspective. Such approach allows readers
and community planners to gain an optimal understanding about disability context within
the neighborhood. The research focuses on a community based feedback while
incorporating theories to interpret and to address the importance of the challenges people
with mobility issues encounter daily within Kingston-Galloway Orton Park (KGO) area.
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The research followed a step-by-step methodology which gradually identifies the
underlying social causation of such groups being "disabled", allowing us to clearly
identify their needs. The study further explores the topic through interviews and also
conduct audit of the study area. These data enable us to have a thorough understanding
about the complex process and accurately identify problematic sites and challenges for
people with mobility issues. Such findings enables planners of the community to tackle
the problems and also suggest recommendations for future references and alternate
possibilities.
Theories
Based on disability literature, it is crucial to first investigate fields such as
disability studies and geographies of disability for appropriate approaches. According to
World Health Organization (2001), they used 'disability' as a general term to denote 'a
multidimensional phenomenon resulting from the interaction between people and their
physical and social environment' (p. 242). Such notion encourage disability idea to be
perceived as 'related to limitations in what are considered basic skills for social life.
However, it is not easy to determine what these skills are. In debates on the theme, they
relate to mobility, communication, social interaction, cognition and use of the senses.'
(Bam pi, 2010, pp. 818).
Deborah Kaplan, Executive Vice President of the World Institute on Disability
(WID), explained the various approaches towards the disabled body throughout history.
The moral model originated historically, it view disability as a consequence and
punishment of sin and portrayed disability to be shameful. Modem health studies
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development led to Bio-medical approach in the 191h century which defined disability to
be individual problem and required of curing it. This approach viewed disabled people as
sick people is similar to the rehabilitation model - portrayed people with disability
physical and psychological in need of assistance. However, all three models mentioned
above ignored the role of socio-political structures which encourages oppression and
marginalization (Pain, et al, 2001; Butler, 1998).
Terminology
The following terms proved significant in order to complete identify important
elements of the study.
1. Mobility issued group
The study group selected use of walking assistance devices as the focus group.
The research team determined focus group based on the percentage and relative
representation to the other disabled groups of accessibility need in more general disability
context, such as elderly using shopping carts and mothers with baby stroller, etc.
(Statistics Canada 2006). However, for study purpose, it is required to narrow down the
focus on selected groups.
2. Accessibility
We took apart the term to its basic form and interpret it as the 'ability to access
places'; however, Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide specified the concept that
accessibility also must take in the idea of equal in access and the ease which one may
reach a location, with the focus on physical and non-physical barriers. However, for study
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purposes, the study focused on the environmental obstructions rather than human
behavioral pattern.
Study Area & Methodology
The method applied throughout the study followed a step-by-step building process.
The first phase began with the study of disability literature seeking academic theories and
terminology in order to grasp the importance of topic and specify the target groups. By
doing so, our research group adopted social model of disability to go along our study.
The following phase, researchers established a meeting session with a focus group in
Kingston-Galloway through Dianne Edwards, a Scarborough Centre for Healthy
Communities health promoter. The participants in the meeting were from a wellness
group consisting of 9 individuals from East Scarborough Storefront. There were three
open-ended questions that were posed during the meeting in an attempt to stimulate
discussion as well as gaining a participants-based understanding about the issue.
Question 1)
"What aspects of the built environment (eg. sidewalks, ramps, crossings and so on)
in the neighborhood are the main problems in your daily commute around the KGO
neighborhood?"
During the meeting the participants, they identified the main problems includes
poor quality of sidewalks and ramps, lack of crosswalks that allows safe street crossing,
traffic light time remains insufficient for pedestrian crossing and lack of snow plowing of
sidewalks during wintertime.
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Question 2)
"What areas within the KGO do you consider as the most problematic and/or
dangerous when trying to move around the neighborhood?"
The question led to the determination of the study areas around the KGO area. Firstly the
triangle area located at the intersection between Morningside avenue, Lawrence avenue
and Kingston Road was selected. This area containing banks, restaurants, convenient
stores, coffee shop and also other services is selected because of its geographical
importance within the neighborhood. The second area chosen for the study is along
Lawrence A venue ranging from the Morningside triangle to the bridge linking to Orton
Park. This area contains several housing apartment as well as social facility such as
Storefront as well as poses a connection between Kingston-Galloway and Orton Park.
Furthermore, this area corresponded with our first area making it appropriate for study.
Lastly Centenary Hospital was mentioned frequently during meeting with people with
mobility issues. They pointed out it was essential because it is the nearest hospital around
the study area and also consist a plaza across the health facility. Therefore the
intersection ofNeilson Road and Ellesmere Road, where the Centenary Hospital was
located was chosen. All the three areas were described as lots of vehicles, large amount
of people and that facilities did not satisfy their needs (Map 1 ).
Question 3)
"What kind of changes or initiatives would you like to see in the neighborhood
that would facilitate your mobility, while making your commute safer and more efficient?"
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The participants replied that they wish to see more crosswalks or islands for
crossing along Lawrence A venue as well as better snow removal from sidewalks during
winter time. Through the data obtained in the meeting, our research group was able to
identify the problematic areas and focus on the three locations the participants pointed
out.
Once the areas were identified, the researchers were able to examine the locations
and determine what it lacks to satisfy people with disability. The research group seek to
conduct an audit and follow with an assessment, therefore, had to undergo auditing and
develop a survey tailored for the study, rating the problems mentioned in the meeting
from 1 being poor to 5 being good to fit the study.
Research Findings
The walkability audit was performed twice throughout the course of the study.
The first occurred was in the Hospital area and the second one included Morningside
Triangle as well as Lawrence A venue. In order for a more accurate measure during the
audit, the research group obtained a walking stroller provided by one of the participants
in the meeting. The experience allowed the researchers to undergo the difficulties using
such device and proved to have significantly hindered the travelling time. The use of
stroller amplified the problems within the physical environment. The audit discovered in
all three areas, cracks were huge issues (Picture B, D, I & G). There was despite it is true
that construction in the Morningside triangle did prove to provide improvements,
however, there is a lack of consideration during constructions periods(Picture 0 & N).
The quality of road seemed poor and this poses a great challenge for individuals with
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walkers and other walking devices (Picture G, H, J, K, P & Q). There is also a lack of
curve ramps- in some cases there is curve ramps in one side, however, on the other end
it did not provide such. The steepness of curb ramps (Picture F) also gave difficulty to
people with mobility issues as going up the ramp it required great momentum and it
demanded a great deal of physical capability to do so. The lack of crosswalks in
Morningside Triangle and particularly in Lawrence A venue indirectly encourages people
to jaywalk. It is also coherent that the survey results produced based on the audit, in
average, all three areas scored low in a lot of categories- the score (Data 1, 2& 3)
showed traffic light not long enough, there was not enough safe crossing for people and
the slope in Lawrence A venue was not adequate. The established categories in the survey
were a product of what mobility issued people addressed as well as the research
experience with walking device (Chart 1 ).
Study Limitations
Due to time constraints and limited resources, the study was not able to provide a
more in depth study. The study focused based on the road and nearby facilities that were
identified by the participants during the meeting. Additionally, the lack of funding
prohibits the research group to have access to geographical information system (GIS)
software to provide a greater detailed map. Also, with more funding auditing should be
done by professionals that will allow the production of more knowledgeable graphs and
charts.
Recommendations
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Looking into possible facilities to enhance accessibility, based on Institute of
Transportation Engineers and Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide- Providing Safety and
Mobility (2002) gave recommendations for improvements and considerable solutions
such as diagonal crosswalk painting, allowing pedestrians to cross all ways. Increase
timing for crossing is also encouraged. Based on the report, painting crosswalk cost range
from $100-300; Safety island- for people to take shelter if they were not able to
complete crossing cost $6000-9000 and curve ramps cost $800-1500. These are all
possible and affordable solutions to guarantee a accessible environment for all.
Conclusion
The study conducted by the mobility and accessibility research group commented
the research did provide insight to the topic of challenges for mobility issued groups in
KGO study area in Scarborough, Ontario. However, the group continued to recommend
future study building upon this study is encouraged. The fact that such research were able
to agree on the research group's initial hypothesis suggested that such topic should be
kept in mind as planners continue to develop built environments. It is advised that
planners based study on a community perspective and planners should keep an open mind
and take in considerations of the possibilities to ensure accessibility. It is appropriate to
look into possible facilities and structures within the region as well as internationally.
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References
Bampi, L. N.D.; Guilhem, D.; Alves E. D. (20 10). Social Model: A New Approach of
the Disability Theme. Revista Latina-Americana De, vo/.18, (4), pp.816-823.
Butler, Ruth. 1998. "Rehabilitating the Images of Disabled Youths" in Skelton, T. and G.
Valentine (eds). CoolPlaces. London: Routledge. pp. 83-101.
Stollof E. R. Developing Curb Ramp Designs Based on Curb Radius. Institute of
Transportation Engineers. Retrieved from Institute of Transportation Engineers
website: http://www.ite.org/safety/ITEjournal-curbs.htm
Kaplan, D. The Definition of Disability. The Center for an Accessible Society. Retrieved
from The Center for an Accessible Society website: http://www.accessiblesociety
.org/topics/demographics-identity/dkaplanpaper.htm
Pain, R., Barker, M.,Fuller, D.,Gough, J., MacFarlane, R., and Mowl, G. (2001).
Introducing Social Geographies Chapter 8: Geographies ofDisability
Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide. (2002). Providing Safety and Mobility. U.S.
Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration). Retrieved from
Department of Transportation website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/
resources/fhwasa09027/resources/Pedestrian%20Facilities%20Users%20Guide%
20-%20Providing%20Safety%20and%20Mobility. pdf
Scullion, P. A. (20 1 0). Models of disability: Their influence in nursing and potential role
in challenging discrimination. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Vol. 66(3). pp. 697-
707.
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World Health Organization (200 1 ) . International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health [ICF]. World Health Organization, Geneva.
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Audit Criteria Centenary Sidewalk Wideness Surface Quality (Bump/holes)
Buffer Zone Curb Ramps (quality)
User conflict (Mixed use of bike and pedestrians) Time to cross at traffic light
Crossing provision Deviation from desire line
Data 4: Criteria summary based on the survey scores of each study area.
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Chart 1 : Chart showing the criteria summary based on the survey scores of study area
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Picture A
Picture C
Picture E
Picture B
Picture D
Picture F
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Picture G
Picture I
Picture K
Picture H
Picture J
Picture L
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Picture M
Picture 0
Picture Q
Picture N
Picture P
Picture R
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PictureS
Picture U
Picture T
Picture V
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