Abstract:
Background: Ragama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area is a sanctum of disability care hosting the
main teaching hospital in the district, National Center for Children with Disabilities, National
Rehabilitation Hospital and a school for disabled children. The objectives were to describe
compliance of above institutions with current accessibility regulations and access-related challenges
for the disabled community. Methods: A mixed-methods study was performed by qualitative evaluation of accessibility-related challenges and quantitative assessment of the aforementioned institutions and access-points. The qualitative component collected data from 6 service providers 4 disabled individuals and 5
community stakeholders sampled purposively by the research team. In-depth interviews used a
semi-structured questionnaire guide. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis method. The
quantitative component utilized an observational checklist based on 'disabled persons accessibility
regulations act no.1, 2006' under the themes of public institutions, road network and access-points
and accessibility for the visually impaired. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics allocating a
score of 1 for compliance and 0 for non-compliance. Results: Financial constraints were identified as the main challenge along with “Dependence”, “Gaps in awareness” and “Negative attitudes”. The highest level of compliance to the imposed regulations was only 61.1% portrayed by the institution specializing in children with disabilities. Accessibility for the visually impaired showed 0% compliance across all institutions. The public road network failed to exceed a compliance of 5%. Conclusions: Failure to meet anticipated excellence of accessibility in a developing hub such as Ragama MOH area emphasizes on the need for prioritization of disabled accessibility in Sri Lanka.
Description:
Oral Presentation Abstract (OP35), 26th Annual Academic Sessions of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 15th – 17th July, Colombo