Exploration of health perceptions and assistive technology use by driving status as related to transportation independence in New Delhi, India

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates travel tendencies among people with disabilities and senior citizens in New Delhi, India to reveal relationships between the desire for transportation independence, use of assistive technology for mobility, travel frequency, and satisfaction with available modes of transportation. Method: Study volunteers received invitations to complete a one-time, three-part questionnaire. The survey included an assessment battery developed by the Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center, questions featured in the 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey, and a variation on the PARTS/M and FABS/M questionnaires. Results: 80 study participants completed the questionnaire, and were grouped according to driving status as No Driving Experience (NDE), Ceased Driving (CD), and Continue To Drive (CTD). Participants in the NDE group were less likely to use transportation more than twice daily. However, the CD group had the lowest perceived value for available transportation options, with transportation use comparable to the CTD group and an enduring desire to continue driving. Conclusions: Study findings suggest an inner drive for transportation independence. The rise of driving culture internationally presents driver rehabilitation services with challenges due to the need for vehicle modifications and driving assessment using manual transmission automobiles, scooters, and motorcycles.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The percentage of responses to using scooters was near the same level as adapted vehicles showing that people are maintaining their transportation independence as drivers of vehicles beyond the category of automobiles.

• The prevalence of manual transmission automobiles and scooters/motorcycles imply stark differences to the demand for vehicle modifications and guidelines for assessment of fitness to drive.

• Inconsistencies in policy enforcement coupled with an automotive market that favors manual transmission vehicles could present PWD in New Delhi with greater barriers to driving as compared to the US context.

Keywords::

• Driving cessation
• health satisfaction
• international

Acknowledgements

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The contents do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs of the United States Government. The Survey Research Program (SRP) within the University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) at the University of Pittsburgh provided survey technical support and development. The Indian Spinal Cord Injuries Centre hosted the research team during the study period and provided support to help with recruitment of study volunteers.

Declaration of Interest: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement EEC-0540865 and Grant No. EEC-0552351. The authors report no conflict of interest.