The winter walkability project: occupational therapists' role in promoting citizen engagement

Abstract

Background: Walkability is one feature of a person-friendly community that citizen engagement can influence.

Purpose: Describe a winter walkability project and how an occupational therapist supported citizen engagement and participation in local policy decision making.

Methods: Seven stakeholder representatives undertook a participatory research project to address winter walkability. Through focus groups and walking logs, 10 citizens provided feedback on barriers to winter walking and a new sidewalk snow-clearing method. Analysis ascertained factors contributing to winter sidewalk walkability and factors promoting citizen engagement.

Findings: Results identified reasons for and barriers to walking, perceived reasons for sidewalk conditions, and perceived effectiveness of the snow-clearing intervention. Citizens recommended against using the new snow-clearing method. Factors promoting citizen engagement included individual actions producing nominal results, individual and community-level interest, and development as citizen-experts. IMPLICATIONS This project provides one example of how occupational therapists can take a sociopolitical role and facilitate citizen and occupational engagement.