Mobility, Accessibility and Safety of People with Cerebral Palsy

This research characterizes mobility, accessibility and safety of individuals with severe motor impairment such as users suffering from Cerebral Palsy (CP). Through the analysis of enabling factors, constraints associated and the search of possible improvements, it is possible to identify the needs in these fields and subsequently develop strategies accordingly. The sample was collected in Coimbra Cerebral Palsy Association (APCC) and it included 16 individuals with CP. To these individuals we gave an evaluation protocol with a form with clinical and sociodemographic data and a questionnaire. The main limiting factors include building/vehicle access, difficulty in reverse drive and lack of safety. The most valued features of a powered wheelchair are comfort and structure, easy navigation and wheelchair control and safety. The lack of safety in the outdoors was a relevant limiting factor. Almost all individuals requested improvements of the powered wheelchair. The most requested improvements were safety related or related with navigation problems. An assistive navigation solution based on a shared control algorithm is presented, where a powered wheelchair is equipped with the Kinect sensor, in order to help the user maneuvering the wheelchair safely.