The aim of this study was to design, establish the structural integrity and psychometric properties of a Motor Behavior Observation Checklist (MBOC).
The MBOC was designed using a multi-method approach. A comprehensive literature search and onsite observations at six public buildings led to development of an exhaustive list of motor behaviors exhibited by individuals with mobility disabilities. Additionally, 5 multidisciplinary experts reviewed video footages taken of individuals with mobility disabilities at these sites. Triangulation of these three methods led to finalization of the design stage of MBOC. Validation was established using content validation index (CVI) based on nine expert ratings. A Principal Component Analysis was used to identify key components of motor behavior and Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to establish the construct validity. Cohen’s kappa was used to establish inter-rater reliability. Data for establishing these psychometric properties was collected through unobtrusive observations conducted at six public buildings in the city of Udupi.
A total of 281 unobtrusive observations of individuals with mobility disabilities were carried out at six purposively selected public buildings. These sites catered to hospitality, healthcare, education, recreation, transportation, and religious. The MBOC demonstrated good content validity with a CVI score of 0.77 and substantial inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s kappa = 0.79). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed eight distinct components underlying motor behaviors. Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (χ² = 630, df = 409, p .001) and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.721 confirmed the adequacy of the sample for factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha of 0.714 indicated moderate internal consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validated the factor structure, with a χ²/df ratio of 1.54, CFI = 0.86, TLI = 0.80, SRMR = 0.075, and RMSEA = 0.051 (90% CI: 0.032–0.050), demonstrating a reasonable model fit. The MBOC effectively identified key dimensions such as gait, balance, trunk coordination, interaction and responses with architectural features and environmental factors.
The MBOC addresses a crucial gap in current accessibility tools by providing detailed observations of motor behaviors in public buildings. It captures motor behavior of individuals when interacting with both built and non-built environment, including cultural and climatic conditions, often overlooked in traditional audits.
The MBOC is a ground-breaking tool that enhances understanding of how individuals with mobility disabilities interact with public spaces. It helps identify specific strategies used by these users of public buildings to negotiate barriers. It offers valuable insights for creating more inclusive and person-centered public building designs. This tool has the potential to significantly improve accessibility assessments and contribute to the disciplines of design, architectural and disability studies.
disability
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