SOME ASPECTS OF INDEPENDENT LIFE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The aim of the paper was to gain an insight into independent living of disabled persons. The intention was to analyse the connection between independent functioning, quality of life, spatial accessibility and other aspects of independent life observed through the degree of independence in performing daily family and household activities and the frequency of performing such activities. The research was conducted on the sample of 400 respondents in the city of Zagreb considering their prevalence in the population with regard to impairment. The data were obtained through standardised questionnaires related to the aforementioned areas of observation: quality of life scale, community involvement scale, scale of independent functioning of disabled persons, life satisfaction scale and a questionnaire pertaining socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The results have shown that there is a connection between independent life observed through the aspects of the degree of independence and the frequency of performing activities in the family and spatial accessibility, quality of life and daily functioning. Regression analysis has shown that these elements determine the concept of independent life observed as a degree of independence and frequency of performing certain activities in the household and family only to a small extent, and that as such it is connected with independent functioning, quality of life, life satisfaction, spatial accessibility, independent movement and independent decision-making. The results of the research indicate the complexity of the concept of independent life and the need for further research of this concept, taking into consideration the conclusions of this research.