Joseph Jordan | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Joseph Jordan
Title: Enhancing Quality of Life: Evaluating the Impact of the IncludeAbility App on Decision-Making, Community Engagement, Social Inclusion, and Autonomy for Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Major: Digital Information Engineering
Minors: Economics; Studio Art
Advisors: Michelle Johnson; Peter Abramo

This study assessed the impact of the IncludeAbility app on Quality of Life, Autonomy, Decision-Making, Community Engagement, and Social Inclusion among 33 individuals with physical disabilities. Recruitment was conducted through IncludeAbility, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting accessibility, with participants aged 18 and older completing the survey online via Qualtrics. The survey was meticulously developed from a comprehensive literature review and included validated items designed to precisely measure each construct, receiving approval from the Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC). Using straightforward statistical methods like t-tests and ANOVA, the analysis revealed that the app effectively improves users’ abilities to navigate environments, make independent decisions, and engage in community activities. The results showed consistent effectiveness across all measured areas, regardless of the type of assistance participants used, such as personal care or mobility aids. This study demonstrates that digital tools like the IncludeAbility app can significantly enhance autonomy and community involvement among individuals with physical disabilities, contributing to broader societal inclusivity and participation.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.