Mobility and welfare among people with physical disabilities - the role of the car

The project reported here has studied the role of the car for mobility and welfare among people with physical disabilities and barriers for car use in this group. A questionnaire study shows that there is a linkage between driving a car on a regular basis and degree of disability. Car drivers participate more often in out-of-home activities, and they have a higher fulfillment of travel needs, especially in regard to leisure travels, than people that do not drive. Our focus groups interviews show that the fulfillment of travel needs is essential to the quality of life. Furthermore, the same study shows that the private car has qualities beyond the fulfillment of travel needs, like control over one’s own life, self-confidence and joy. The project has also revealed weaknesses in the regulations for assigning support for car purchase, for car adjustment, and for public car transport trips.