Behaviour and strategies of parents of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in the context of public transport (in)accessibility

Objectives Accessibility is one of the key drivers of inclusion, especially for individuals with disabilities and their families. This study focused on urban public transport accessibility as experienced by the parents of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). The aim was to identify strategies for coping with transport poverty resulting from accessibility deficiencies.Methods The research material consisted of unfocused, semi-structured interviews concerning the personal experiences of parents of people with PIMD. A total of 20 persons were enrolled in the study. The analytical method relied on open and axial coding performed by means of grounded theory methodology procedures.Results The completed analyses provided grounds for the identification of four types of strategies, each with several associated types of actions taken by parents of people with intellectual and multiple disabilities in the context of the (in)accessibility of public transport: Travel, Adaptive, Diversification, and Restructuring Strategies.Conclusions The study findings indicated that families of people with PIMD who rely on public transport encounter difficulties on a daily basis despite the implemented adaptations of the transport system. Consequently, they were faced with an accessibility gap and were forced to seek travel, diversification, adaptation and restructuring strategies.