Free
Research Article
Issue Date: September/October 2005
Published Online: September 01, 2005
Updated: April 30, 2020
Resident and Staff Perceptions of Barriers to Independence and Employment in Supportive Living Settings for Persons With AIDS
Amy Paul-Ward; Gary Kielhofner; Brent Braveman; Mara Levin
Author Affiliations
  • Amy Paul-Ward, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199; paulward@fiu.edu. She was Postdoctoral Fellow in Disability Studies and Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, when this study was completed
  • Gary Kielhofner, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor and Wade-Meyer Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
  • Brent Braveman, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Clinical Associate Professor and Professional Program Director, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
  • Mara Levin, MS, OTR, is Staff Occupational Therapist, Department of Occupational Therapy and PhD Student in Disability Studies, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
Article Information
Rehabilitation, Participation, and Disability / Disability and Participation
Research Article   |   September 01, 2005
Resident and Staff Perceptions of Barriers to Independence and Employment in Supportive Living Settings for Persons With AIDS
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2005, Vol. 59, 540-545. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.59.5.540
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2005, Vol. 59, 540-545. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.59.5.540
This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access.
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived barriers to independent community living and employment among clients and staff members in a transitional living facility for persons with AIDS. This qualitative study used focus groups to collect these perceptions from staff members (N = 21) and clients (N = 16). Whereas staff identified both systemic and personal barriers, clients only identified systemic barriers. These findings suggest that both clients and staff recognize the types of environmental barriers to participation that have been identified by disability scholars. The findings also underscore a consequential gap between clients’ exclusive emphasis on environmental barriers and staff emphasis on clients’ personal barriers that impact upon participation.