‘The shops were only made for people who could walk’ : impairment, barriers and autonomy in the mobility of adults with Cerebral Palsy in urban England

Bonehill, J. and von Benzon, N. and Shaw, J. (2020) ‘The shops were only made for people who could walk’ : impairment, barriers and autonomy in the mobility of adults with Cerebral Palsy in urban England. Mobilities, 15 (3). pp. 341-361. ISSN 1745-0101

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Abstract

Based on research carried out with a group of adults with Cerebral Palsy in Birmingham, UK, we consider the complex inter-relationship between the accessibility of the urban environment for those with impaired gross motor skills, and the ability of these people to lead full and independent lives. Drawing on a framework that considers mobility as movement, meaning-making and political, we demonstrate the reality of differentiated mobility. For those with bodies that function outside the presumed operating parameters of the model subjects of urban design, mobility may be possible, but is often uncomfortable and even dangerous, with significant associated effects for impaired people’s autonomy. Our study details social and structural, or design, barriers to people’s mobility, demonstrating the inter-connection between individuals’ behaviour and urban design in a manner that questions a clear distinction between the two. We draw upon the notions of emotional work and a commoning approach to mobility in suggesting that further investment in urban accessibility is squarely an issue of social justice.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Mobilities
Additional Information:
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Mobilities on 14/04/2020, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17450101.2020.1746057
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3317
Subjects:
?? cerebral palsydifferentiated mobilitymobile methodsurban designvideo elicitationwheelchair usersdemographysociology and political sciencegeography, planning and development ??
ID Code:
143700
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
06 May 2020 08:55
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Dec 2023 01:59