Wheelchair users as consumers: accessibility of supermarkets in Gaborone,Botswana |
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| Authors: | Gertrude R. Mafatlane Lily C. Fidzani Kesitegile S.M. Gobotswang |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana |
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| Abstract: | Even though some accessibility standards have been set in Botswana to create accessible public buildings including supermarkets by wheelchair users, architectural barriers are still found in these places. The purpose of the study was to assess the interior and exterior accessibility of supermarkets by wheelchair users including determining their shopping experiences. The research used a mixed model study design in which data were collected using an observation checklist to assess 30 supermarkets alongside in‐depth interviews with six wheelchair users. The quantitative data were analysed using the computer software Statistical Packages for Social Sciences 19.0 and qualitative data were grouped into emerging themes. The findings indicated that in the exterior, all supermarkets did not have directional arrows to the disabled parking. However, all the supermarkets had an accessible wide entrance and suitable non‐slippery flooring. The interior revealed that all supermarkets did not have appropriate devises to assist wheelchair users to pick items from higher shelves and in some supermarkets, till counters were high for wheelchair users. From the interviews, the emerging themes were loss of freedom to shop, poor maintenance for disability facilities and disregard for disability parking spaces. In conclusion, while supermarkets had made some provision for wheelchair users from the parking lot to the entrance, there was less accessibility inside the supermarkets. There is need for an Act in Botswana that will ensure accessibility of public spaces. |
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| Keywords: | Accessibility wheelchair users supermarkets consumers |
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