COGNITIVE ACCESSIBILITY IN COLOMBO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

ABSTRACT Background: Community mobility is a cognitively complex occupation essential for social participation. This study assessed the cognitive accessibility of metropolitan transport hubs in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to identify environmental barriers to independent wayfinding. Method: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. Five trained occupational therapy assessors audited four transit hubs (two rail, two bus) using a survey synthesized from international inclusive design standards. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher cognitive barriers in bus terminals (M = 28.66%) compared to railway stations (M = 44.4%). Qualitative themes identified "Structural Info-Exclusion," "Environmental Cognitive Entropy," and a systemic reliance on "Compensatory Social Scaffolding". Conclusion: Systemic cognitive failures force a reliance on informal social support, risking occupational deprivation. Occupational therapists must advocate for "cognitive ramps" and universal design to ensure equitable community mobility.