Purpose: People with mobility limitations (PWML) face numerous challenges in the community as they strive to overcome barriers imposed by society such as inaccessible public buildings. This paper examined accessibility of the built environment and explored the impact of this on participation by PWML. The purpose of the study was to initiate a process for generating evidence that can be used to develop strategies and determine design elements for accessibility of the built environment in Zambia. The study will provide evidence for rehabilitation, disability and accessibility policy development.

Method: Firstly, explored the accessibility situation in Zambia through available literature. Seventy-five PWML were purposively selected from 5 out of 9 provinces in Zambia. Using nominal group technique participants identified public buildings and ranked them in order of importance to their day-to-day participation experiences. Secondly, utilising focus group discussions and personal interviews investigated how their capacity to participate in a preferred life style has been affected. Thirdly, explored the impact of accessibility of public buildings on participation by PWML via the Impact on Participation Autonomy Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Results: Descriptive analysis and reporting was utilised. Disability right to access has been addressed in developed countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. However, there has been limited disability research, lack of disability policies and systems, evaluation of disability rights and support from developed countries have been sighted as contributing to non-recognition of disability rights in Zambia including those relating to accessible built environment.

Government buildings, schools, higher learning institutions, businesses and service providers, religious buildings, health and recreational facilities, were identified as inaccessible thereby denying autonomy in outdoor mobility, limiting and ceasing participation in a chosen lifestyle.

Outcome measures on the impact of inaccessibility on participation using the IPAQ showed 80-89% of PWML had poor to very poor chance of participating in opportunities such as visiting, going for holidays, outings, enjoyment and leisure. Eighty one to ninety one percent (81-91%) had poor to very poor chances of engaging in work and education. All participants (100%) recorded minor to severe problems in education and training participation domain.

Conclusion: Zambians with mobility limitations have been disadvantaged in accessing services and facilities depriving them of full and equitable life participation. It is recommended that ensuring Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an important component in the process to promoting and supporting disability rights in accessing services and facilities on equal basis.

Key words: Zambia, accessibility, built environment, persons with mobility limitations, participation, CRPD