Introduction: The challenges experienced by adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regarding their interaction with their home environment are thinly documented, although these issues pe...

Canada’s heritage sites, while fewer in number compared to Europe, face significant challenges in accessibility due to strict preservation laws. Many were built before social inclusion became a priority, making them difficult to navigate for individuals with disabilities. For example, cobbled streets with uneven surfaces or significant level differences create obstacles for wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges. This qualitative action research aimed to develop guidelines for shared street designs and innovative solutions that balance heritage preservation with inclusive accessibility. The study involved go along interviews with 21 participants with disabilities in Quebec City’s Petit-Champlain and Place-Royale areas, as well as the Old-Seminary. Insights from these interviews informed a co-design methodology involving three sessions with participants with disabilities, family caregivers, and experts in accessibility and heritage. The co-design sessions generated practical solutions such as lift platforms, accessible signage, and guided handrails, addressing both outdoor and indoor accessibility barriers. For indoor spaces, solutions included integrating acoustic panels and foldable seating, while outdoor recommendations emphasized autonomous access solutions like non-slip coatings and accessible elevators for winter conditions. It was concluded that achieving a balance between preservation and accessibility requires collaboration among architects, designers, heritage experts, and individuals with disabilities. This research highlights the importance of co-design as a method to ensure heritage sites remain culturally significant and universally accessible.

Rigorous assessments to better understand the person-environment interaction are essential to comprehend how neurocognitive disorders influence in-home functioning of older people living with dementia. No recent synthesis identifies validated instruments targeting the human (e.g. caregivers) and nonhuman (e.g. objects) elements of the home environment interacting with this population and used with the perspective of aging in place. Consequently, following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) scoping review method, 2,182 articles were identified in six databases and in gray literature. Two reviewers independently selected 23 relevant articles describing 19 validated assessment tools targeting elements of the home interacting with older people with dementia, namely: nonhuman environment (n = 13), human environment (n = 3), and person-environment interaction (n = 3). This overview highlights the scarcity of tools addressing the human environment and the person-environment interaction to foster sustainable at-home living for older people with neurocognitive disorders, demonstrating the need to incorporate new evidence-based, holistic methods into dementia home care.

Introduction: The perception of occupational therapists is essential to the improvement of universal accessibility projects. However, there is little evidence on the involvement of occupational therapists in this field. Aim: To explore occupational therapists’ perceptions of their professional experience and training in universal accessibility, and its integration into their practice. Methodology: This study adopts a interpretative descriptive qualitative methodology. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with nine participants in Quebec, Canada. Thematic analysis was done. Results: Interviews revealed three main themes: 1) knowledge of universal accessibility, 2) the accessibility project process, and 3) the occupational therapist's contribution to universal accessibility. Each theme also includes sub-themes: The main findings related to a lack of training in universal accessibility, the engagement and roles of occupational therapists in accessibility projects, and the added value of this professional's contribution to projects. Conclusion: These results can help occupational therapists and other professionals in the field of universal accessibility better understand the role of occupational therapists in this field and can guide occupational therapy programs in improving academic training in this area. This could help define the occupational therapist's role in this field and optimize their contribution.

Historic heritage places, which reflect the history of a society and are important for culture, were constructed before the formal recognition of the rights of people with disabilities and the establishment of accessibility standards. Therefore, they frequently present accessibility challenges. This study aimed to identify the most frequent perceived obstacles to the accessibility of historic heritage places observed from photographs and to explore potential patterns in obstacles across disability groups and respondent profiles. Data were collected through an online survey in which 100 participants provided responses (people with disabilities, caregivers, and students or professionals with expertise in universal accessibility or heritage). Participants were asked to select the most significant obstacles to accessibility across six different image-based situations. They were also asked about their understanding and perception of the meaning and importance of heritage. Results show that steps, lighting, lack of handrail, the location of washroom accessories and grab bars, circulation space, entrances to shops, and ground slope and surface were among the most frequently reported obstacles depending on the site area considered. Reported obstacles also varied across disability groups. Otherwise, most participants associated heritage with history, culture, and identity, and considered it important or very important. In conclusion, these findings underscore the importance of balancing heritage preservation and accessibility while considering the diverse needs, experiences, and obstacles encountered by people with different disabilities.