Abstract

Problem, research strategy and findings

The number of people living with dementia (PLWD) is set to increase to 132 million by 2050, with most expected to reside in their own homes, not congregate living settings. Limited research on the impact of the built environment on PLWD has focused on planning outcomes, with no research on access to the planning process that shapes the places they live in. In this study I ask: what are the barriers and facilitators to participation for PLWD at open houses? I accompanied seven PLWD (individually or in pairs) to open houses, a commonly used public engagement tool, in Waterloo (Canada). To capture the experiences, I used audio recordings, field notes and sketches, photographs, and a postexperience interview with participants. Accessibility of public engagement tools for PLWD can be improved by ensuring respectful and patient communication (not rushing attendees, using plain language); providing clear, concise presentation materials (less is more, offering in-the-moment feedback opportunities); and using a familiar, comfortable physical location (sensitive to sensory overstimulation through acoustics and lighting). The sense of inclusion participants felt in attending the open houses was unexpected.

Takeaway for practice

The open house is already well suited to the accessibility needs of PLWD, with peripheral, circular layouts allowing participants to learn at their own pace and interact one on one with practitioners. However, the recommendations that would make public engagement tools more accessible to PLWD are easily implementable, and by educating planners in these techniques there could be an opportunity for the profession to help dismantle the stigma associated with dementia. The commonly used public engagement tools used during the planning process need to be universally accessible so PLWD and other people with disabilities can attend any meeting they choose and have an impact on decision making in their communities.

中文翻译：

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（重新）塑造城市的权利

摘要

问题、研究策略和发现

到 2050 年，痴呆症患者 (PLWD) 的数量将增加到 1.32 亿，其中大多数人预计将住在自己的家中，而不是聚集在一起的生活环境。关于建筑环境对 PLWD 的影响的有限研究集中在规划结果上，没有研究如何访问塑造他们居住地的规划过程。 在这项研究中，我问：参与 PLWD 的障碍和促进因素是什么在开放日？我陪同七名 PLWD（单独或成对）在滑铁卢（加拿大）参观开放日，这是一种常用的公众参与工具。为了捕捉这些体验，我使用了录音、现场笔记和草图、照片以及对参与者的体验后采访。通过确保尊重和耐心的沟通（不要匆忙参加，使用简单的语言），可以提高 PLWD 公众参与工具的可访问性；提供清晰、简洁的演示材料（少即是多，提供即时反馈机会）；并使用熟悉、舒适的物理位置（对通过声学和照明引起的感官过度刺激敏感）。参与者在参加开放日时感受到的包容感出乎意料。

外卖练习

开放日已经非常适合 PLWD 的无障碍需求，外围的圆形布局允许参与者按照自己的节奏学习并与从业者进行一对一的互动。然而，使 PLWD 更容易使用公众参与工具的建议很容易实施，并且通过对规划者进行这些技术的教育，该行业可能有机会帮助消除与痴呆症相关的耻辱。规划过程中使用的常用公众参与工具需要普遍可访问，以便 PLWD 和其他残疾人可以参加他们选择的任何会议并对其社区的决策产生影响。