Jinan Zeidan1, Lawrence Joseph2, Chantal Camden3, Michael Shevell4, Maryam Oskoui5, Patricia Lamotte6, Keiko Shikako-Thomas7. 1. Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 3. Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada. 4. Department of Neurology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. 5. Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 6. Office des Personnes Handicapées du Québec (OPHQ), Drummondville, Québec, Canada. 7. School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the environmental and socio-economic factors affecting participation outcomes in community and leisure activities for children with disabilities, as well as the trajectories of participation for these children to promote their health and guarantee their rights are respected. Methods: A participatory action research (PAR) approach and linear regression analysis were employed to identify contextual factors associated with the community participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) living in Quebec, Canada. Stakeholders engaged through the entire research process supported the development of questionnaires, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results. Results: Neighborhood outings were ranked among the most practiced activities by children with CP. Only in a few cases (9%) did children participate in more than two types of activities outside of school. Factors limiting children's participation were predominantly extrinsic in origin, including financial burden and lack of information about existing opportunities.Conclusions: There is a serious need for communities and local governments to inform parents about available resources, programs and policies that can support their child's participation. Rehabilitation professionals could partner with stakeholders to inform the development of public policies that target the identified barriers and promote children's integration and fulfillment.
Aims: This study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the environmental and socio-economic factors affecting participation outcomes in community and leisure activities for children with disabilities, as well as the trajectories of participation for these children to promote their health and guarantee their rights are respected. Methods: A participatory action research (PAR) approach and linear regression analysis were employed to identify contextual factors associated with the community participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) living in Quebec, Canada. Stakeholders engaged through the entire research process supported the development of questionnaires, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results. Results: Neighborhood outings were ranked among the most practiced activities by children with CP. Only in a few cases (9%) did children participate in more than two types of activities outside of school. Factors limiting children's participation were predominantly extrinsic in origin, including financial burden and lack of information about existing opportunities.Conclusions: There is a serious need for communities and local governments to inform parents about available resources, programs and policies that can support their child's participation. Rehabilitation professionals could partner with stakeholders to inform the development of public policies that target the identified barriers and promote children's integration and fulfillment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Barriers; cerebral palsy; community participation; environment; information