| This qualitative study investigated how people with mobility impairments defined the term “independence” and identified environmental facilitators and barriers they considered important to the achievement and maintenance of independence by their definitions. The study used a constructionist grounded theory approach to draw issues of relevance from the participants. Informal interviews encouraged participants to identify and discuss factors they deemed important. Concurrent data collection and analysis, the collection of interview data until saturation, the use of an independent critic, and the researcher's observations were used to establish and corroborate thematic outcomes.; Fifteen adults living in Maine, Florida, Georgia, and Washington State were interviewed. They defined independence as (a) self-reliance, that is, performing ADLs without assistance and (b) self-governance, that is, having control over when, where and how assistance was provided. Facilitators included having (a) access to personal and public environments, devices and services, (b) access to financial resources, (c) access to information on paying for accommodations and living well with a disability, (d) the skills to anticipate and handle environmental barriers, and (e) natural support systems. Barriers included (a) dealing with negative public attitudes, (b) having to advocate for one's civil rights, and (c) the experience of frustration regarding the irregularity of accessibility in public environments. |
