Patterns of community participation across the seasons: A year-long case study of three Canadian wheelchair users.

While winter weather conditions created community participation challenges, individuals responded differently based on their unique circumstances. The findings highlight the importance of policy that addresses the dynamic nature of weather and the needs of people with disabilities as specific individuals. Implications for rehabilitation Wheelchair users experience both similar and unique challenges regarding seasonal weather conditions that influence their community participation patterns. While some individual wheelchair users effectively maintain their community participation patterns across the year, they employ their own specific strategies in response to winter weather challenges. Ready access to vehicular transportation that is accessible regardless of weather condition is a key factor in promoting community participation across the year for wheelchair users. Accessible community environments can become inaccessible with the addition of winter weather conditions and thus the changing nature of community participation across the seasons should be considered.