Supportive Approaches
Analysis of Legislation for Improving Accessibility on Sidewalks in Taiwan
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Chih Yuan Chang
Taiwan is poised to transition into a super-aged society by 2025, there has been a heightened emphasis on improving the accessibility of sidewalks. This study undertakes an analysis of sidewalk design manuals and guidelines for the implementation of blind navigation facilities at intersections. Research Findings are as follows: 1. Examination of the Design Standards of Urban Roads and Accessory Works, Urban Human-Centered Traffic Road Planning and Design Manual, and Guidelines for the Design of Blind Guidance Facilities on Urban Road Sidewalks, underscores a concerted emphasis on pedestrian safety. Mandates encompass the provision of accessible pathways, curb ramps, and accessible sidewalks, alongside critical considerations for the design and deployment of blind guidance facilities. Embracing universal design principles, these standards aim to obviate discrepancies among user demographics while furnishing comprehensive informational resources, thereby facilitating enhanced comprehension and navigability for elderly and disabled individuals. 2. A detailed scrutiny of a case study reveals a spectrum of strategic interventions geared towards augmenting urban road accessibility. Measures encompass the curtailment of curbside parking for automobiles and motorcycles, the preservation of contiguous green spaces, segregation of pedestrian and bicycle zones, aesthetic enhancements of street landscapes. 3. Insights gleaned from stakeholder interviews unveil a gamut of challenges, encompassing the encroachment of obstacles on sidewalks despite the stipulated net width of 1.5 meters, the inadvertent creation of hazards at the interface between building driveway entrances and sidewalks due to sloping configurations, and a pervasive dearth of awareness pertaining to accessibility enhancement amongst sidewalk designers and construction personnel.
Bridging Generations: An Innovative Program Enhancing Social Participation of Individuals Aging with Traumatic Brain Injury
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Samuel Turcotte, Megan Veilleux, Manh Hung Nguyen, Ann-Frédérique Giguère, Ronen Ore, Mia Lapointe, Marie-Ève Lamontagne, Emilie Raymond, Angéline Labbé, Pascale Simard, Valérie Poulin
As the general population, individuals aging with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have experienced increased life expectancy. However, older adults with TBI face double stigma (age and disability) limiting social participation. Intergenerational initiatives present a promising avenue to support healthy aging and enhance social participation for individuals with TBI. This study aimed to co-design an intergenerational initiative centered on life story creation for individuals aging with TBI, presented through photographs. A participatory study was conducted using Design Thinking to guide the co-design process. Six two-hour workshops involved individuals from two generations living with TBI in Quebec, Canada, community workers, a manager from a non-profit organization, and experts in photography and narrative medicine. Co-design activities included brainstorming, group discussions, interviews, art creation, and prototyping. The process resulted in a program facilitating sharing of reflections on aging with disabilities through photographs developed by participants. The program comprised a seven-session intergenerational program culminating in a public photo exhibition in a national museum. A participant workbook, a tool for pairing intergenerational TBI-affected individuals, and promotional strategies were also co-developed. This initiative offers opportunities for social participation, supporting the health of individuals aging with TBI while fostering intergenerational solidarity. By bridging generations through shared experiences and creative expression, the program aims to reduce stigma and enhance quality of life for those living with TBI across age groups. The innovative approach of combining intergenerational interaction with visual storytelling provides a platform for individuals with TBI to express themselves and connect with others.
The Big Society's Grey Roots: Baby Boomers and Associationalism in an Era of Austerity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Catherine Reynolds
The baby boomers have been stigmatised as the selfish lazy generation. This project showed that for some, contributing to their community was of real importance. British Community Policy has made assumptions about the willingness of interested citizens to engage in civil society, run civil institutions and maintain community activity through voluntary activity. This project examined the contributions of the baby boomer generation, in three geographic locations, as they reached retirement age and potentially had the time and resources to take on voluntary activity. This project explored theoretical concepts of civil society; engagement and associationalism: community as place as an appropriate approach; why people participated and why they chose not to. It placed this in the context of political thinking in relation to civic society and associational activity. Differences in scope and type of associational activity in the communities appeared to be directly linked to the economic status of the community, the extent to which statutory institutions supported or initiated the activity and the style of leadership present. All the interviewees identified a range of motivators and triggers which had prompted their contribution to civic society. The motivators and triggers which initiated activity were different to the motivators which prompted continuation of their efforts. Socialisation, at an early age, was a significant factor in starting any associational activity and a benefit was seen as there begin no obligation. Changes in British Society since the 1960s suggest that this could have implications for the longer-term sustainability of this approach to community policy.
A Scholarly Enquiry into Intergenerational Disparities in End-of-Life Discourse: Utilizing a Theatre-in-Education Workshop Methodological Approach
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Yi Jung Lee
In Taiwanese society, death and dying remain taboo topics. However, in an aging society, they are issues every family must confront. This study uses Theatre-in-Education strategies as an intervention to explore generational differences and communication barriers in end-of-life discussions. Theatre-in-Education has traditionally been used to help school-aged children address sensitive topics through structured dialogue, and its format is well-suited to intergenerational conversations on end-of-life decisions. Positioned at the intersection of applied theatre and social enquiry, this study examines how Theatre-in-Education strategies can foster dialogue across generations on socially sensitive issues. One of the two-hour session of Theatre-in-Education workshop series served as the core activity, involving role-play, group discussion, and guided reflection. Data was collected through observation and post-workshop interviews. The workshop centred on a fictional conflict between a father and daughter over signing an Advance Care Planning document. Participants engaged in Theatre-in-Education activity called Hot Sitting to explore diverse perspectives. The activity revealed generational disparities in several aspects. However, the underlying mechanisms of communication breakdowns remain to be further examined. By creating a dramatic context, the workshop enabled participants to approach end-of-life issues at a critical distance while expressing personal tensions. This study offers preliminary insight into how Theatre-in-Education can support intergenerational dialogue and serves as a reference point for future interventions addressing socially complex topics. This study also finds that generational gaps frequently arise from divergent personal experiences and the differing priorities each generation assigns to various aspects of end-of-life decision-making.
