IJERPH, Vol. 20, Pages 6805: Disabled People or Their Support Persons & rsquo; Perceptions of a Community Based Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE): A Mixed-Method Study

IJERPH, Vol. 20, Pages 6805: Disabled People or Their Support Persons’ Perceptions of a Community Based Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE): A Mixed-Method Study International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph20196805 Authors: Amanda Wilkinson Allyson Calder Beth Elliott Ryan Rodger Hilda Mulligan Leigh Hale Meredith Perry Multi-sensory environments (MSEs) are specialised spaces purposely designed to stimulate the senses, whilst providing a calming and relaxing environment for leisure and enjoyment, predominantly intended for disabled people. Most MSEs are in institutions, hospitals, or educational settings, with a few in community-based settings. We explored disabled users’ experiences of a community based MSE in a large metropolitan area in New Zealand, with a view to expanding access to MSE-type environments within the area. We used a convergent mixed method design with a web-based electronic survey (e-survey; n = 105), as well as semi-structured interviews (n = 14) with disabled MSE users (adults and children), who were supported, where necessary, by their support person/s. We collected the MSE users’ demographics, frequency of use with respect to age, disability, and ethnicity, and experiences of the room, equipment, and accessibility. The participants and their support persons’ perspectives about their experiences of using the MSE were represented by four themes: (i...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research