You are being invited to participate in a study conducted by Algonquin College student researchers at the Human-Centred Design Lab. The purpose of this study is to examine the gaps that exist between Canadian airline regulations and their implementation of timely wheelchair services. The aim is to address the frequent issue of passengers needing wheelchair assistance being left unattended at airports. Your input will help evaluate existing regulations, identify gaps, and propose solutions to improve services for travelers with mobility issues who require wheelchair assistance from Canadian Airlines.
Project funder/sponsor:Human-Centred Design Lab, Algonquin College
Principal Investigators:Jed Looker
lookerj@algonquincollege.comRaphael Joseph
josephr@algonquincollege.comResearchers:Sarthak Sharma
shar0865@algonquinlive.comDinh Nguyen Nhu
nhu00001@algonquinlive.comTheertha Pullanikkal
pull0036@algonquinlive.comMary Fabeyo
fabe0015@algonquinlive.comYara Saadaldin
saad0096@algonquinlive.comPlease carefully review the following information before deciding whether you would like to participate in this study:
You must be over the age of 18 and require wheelchair services or/and other support services at the airport to navigate safely. This includes individuals who can walk independently but rely on a wheelchair for assistance, particularly in environments such as airports where long distances can present challenges without support.
This study will use a mixed-method approach, divided into three phases. Phase 1 is a screener survey, phase 2 is a semi-structured interview, and phase 3 is a validation interview. The screener survey will be used to collect quantitative data. After the survey, participants will be asked if they want to participate in a 30 to 40-minutes semi-structured interview. The interview will be conducted either in person or online via Zoom (depending on your preference) by researchers from the Human-Centred Design lab at Algonquin College, as listed above. The study will involve an estimated 30-40 minute interview during which you will be asked questions about your experiences using support services while travelling by air. Please note that you may decline to answer questions that you are not comfortable answering. After the interview, participants will be asked if they are interested in the validation interview to review our design outcomes in phase 3.
Data collection is required for this study in the form of a written transcript, along with an audio recording and video recording. These recordings will be retrieved from Zoom and then uploaded to a Google Drive folder and will solely be used for research analysis purposes. It's important to note that both Zoom and Google servers are located in the United States and are subject to American law.
Your personal information will remain confidential throughout the study, and any identifiable details will be removed before data analysis. Your data will be assigned an identification key and de-identified to ensure that your responses cannot be directly linked to you.
By participating in this study, you will have the opportunity to be compensated for your time by entering a draw to win one out of four $25 electronic gift cards. The four winners will be selected randomly. Should you choose to enter the draw and participate in the follow-up interview, you will be asked to provide your email address. You will also be contacted via the email address to notify and deliver the gift card in the event you win the draw.
You have the right to withdraw from this study at any time before June 10, 2024. To withdraw, simply inform one of the Researchers that you do not wish to continue. Upon withdrawal, your data will be de-identified, meaning it will be destroyed, and researchers will no longer be able to access or identify your contributions.
Participating in the study may be emotionally challenging for individuals, as it involves discussing past experiences, which could affect mental health. The risk of participating in this study is minimal. If you face discomfort or are upset at any point in the study, you can contact any of the following local resource:
Mental Health Crisis Line