In what ways can urban design deliver equality for those with the non-visible disability of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

The Research

Hello, my name is Typhaine. I am a third-year university student and have had suspected CRPS for 3 years now. Currently I am finishing my degree in Urban Design, Planning and Development at Oxford Brookes University.

I wanted to make a difference with my final year dissertation and so I decided to undertake research to address the following question: ‘In what ways can urban design deliver equality for those with the non-visible disability of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?’. The lack of research in non-visible disabilities, and even more so CRPS really struck me, and I realised that I could propose how urban design might make a positive difference to people’s lives through making daily journeys a little bit easier where possible. I feel that design of the public space surrounding us is not as supportive as it should be and can be improved to make daily tasks just a little bit easier.

I would really appreciate it if you would fill out my questionnaire, so that I may find out more about what affects people with CRPS in their daily journeys, and also what design and other measures could be implemented to improve this.

For further information on this study please click on the following link, which will take you to the participant information sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mVGgMiWU9YNwWyTqyTeochEL--hlyZbu/view?usp=sharing

All questions in the questionnaire are optional and I have tested the study on myself to hopefully minimise chances of a flare up as much as possible. However, if any discomfort is experienced during this questionnaire, please stop, and assess whether it is suitable to continue, as the last thing I want to do is trigger a flare up. There is also the option to contact me to arrange an informal chat style interview if there is anything else you would like to tell me or even just if it is easier to answer the questions in this way. Again, if discomfort is experienced, we will stop immediately and assess whether it is suitable to carry on. My only request for the interview is that you send me a signed declaration which will be attached to this.

The questionnaire can be found following this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTIgsQN_N1sA9JDWteF1vwhwygV_LX5d6lygPVXizR-NMceg/viewform?usp=sf_link

For a Microsoft Word version of this questionnaire and consent form, please email me and I will send this to you. Additionally, please email me to book interviews, and I will send a consent form for this as well.

All of the ethics forms for this have been completed and signed. I am eager to gather as much information as possible, to be able to put forward an insightful paper that hopefully contributes to raising awareness of this condition. However, the turn around is quick, and I will have to stop gathering information on Monday 8th April 2024.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact me by email: 19159313@brookes.ac.uk.

Who can participate?

Individuals who are living with CRPS are invited to participate in this research.

What is involved?

Participation in this study involves completing a questionnaire. All questions are optional. An informal interview option is also available, if that would be preferable. The questions will be the same, and again, all optional. Interviews will be audio recorded with participants permission.

Interested?

Participants can opt in to the study by completing the consent form and submitting the questionnaire either on the google docs format or by emailing it to the principal researcher (Typhaine Beard: 19159313@brookes.ac.uk).

Alternatively, participants can also email the principal researcher (Typhaine Beard: 19159313@brookes.ac.uk) to book an interview and send a completed consent form to this email address.