An environment built to include rather than exclude me: Creating inclusive environments for human well-being

Article


Layton, Natasha A. and Steel, Emily J.. 2015. "An environment built to include rather than exclude me: Creating inclusive environments for human well-being." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 12 (9), pp. 11146-11162. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120911146
Article Title

An environment built to include rather than exclude me: Creating inclusive environments for human well-being

ERA Journal ID44293
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLayton, Natasha A. (Author) and Steel, Emily J. (Author)
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Citation12 (9), pp. 11146-11162
Number of Pages17
Year2015
PublisherMDPI AG
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN1660-4601
1661-7827
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120911146
Web Address (URL)http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/9/11146
Abstract

Contemporary discourses which challenge the notion of health as the 'absence of disease' are prompting changes in health policy and practice. People with disability have been influential in progressing our understanding of the impact of contextual factors in individual and population health, highlighting the impact of environmental factors on functioning and inclusion. The World Health Organization's (WHO) more holistic definition of health as 'wellbeing' is now applied in frameworks and legislation, and has long been understood in occupational therapy theory. In practice, however, occupational therapists and other professionals often address only local and individual environmental factors to promote wellbeing, within systems and societies that limit equity in population health and restrict inclusion in communities. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the supports and accommodations identified by a cohort of individuals (n-100) living with disability. A range of environmental facilitators and barriers were identified in peoples' experience of 'inclusive community environs' and found to influence inclusion and wellbeing. The roles and responsibilities of individuals, professionals, and society to enact change in environments are discussed in light of these findings. Recommendations include a focus on the subjective experience of environments, and application of theory from human rights and inclusive economics to address the multiple dimensions and levels of environments in working towards inclusion and wellbeing.

Keywordsoccupational therapy; inclusion; disability; ICF; environmental factors; health policy; accessibility; usability
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420318. People with disability
440706. Health policy
420603. Health promotion
330499. Urban and regional planning not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsDeakin University
University of Queensland
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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