Stigma and the use of umbrellas, hiking poles and walking sticks to aid walking in Hong Kong.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of walking aids is widely acknowledged as one of the most relied-on forms of assistive technology. Using stick-shaped devices, such as a cane, is often the entrance for many people to the world of assistive technologies, often accompanied by the negative stigma associated with ageing and disability.

Objectives

This study investigated the perception of disability and needs of the Hong Kong population using walking aids, aiming to inform device design and service provision.

Methods

We observed 391 individuals using cane-like devices in their natural environment and conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 participants to understand stigma, barriers to acquisition, training, and design requirements.

Results

Half of the interviewees (50%,

SUBMITTER: Maximo T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11192428 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature