# PAR: Towards a Reference Architecture for Accessible Platforms in Respiratory Therapies
## 4 Discussion  
In post-COVID-19 care, the creation of the Accessible Platform for Respiratory Therapies (PAR) stands as a significant leap forward. By employing the iPlus methodology and adopting a user-centered approach, the platform ensures usability and active stakeholder participation throughout its design process. Recent breakthroughs in virtual healthcare technologies, especially digital health, have revolutionized respiratory care and healthcare infrastructure. The PAR platform substantially contributes to telerehabilitation, offering evidence-based insights and underscoring the importance of user inclusivity and effective physical development. The integration of universal design principles guarantees widespread accessibility, and meticulous evaluations of accessibility and usability adhere to standards, ensuring a platform that caters to diverse users. Furthermore, the study underscores the long-term economic benefits of investing in accessibility measures. It illustrates how improved accessibility not only leads to increased patient retention but also dismantles traditional barriers in healthcare, such as the necessity for patients to travel to a specific location for treatment, thereby saving both time and money, which is particularly crucial for underprivileged populations. The societal implications emphasize the dedication to establishing an inclusive society, ensuring equal access to healthcare information and services for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.  
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that between 2000 and 2019 [2], chronic respiratory diseases caused 4.1 million deaths globally, with a 37% decrease in mortality from these diseases during that period. This scenario highlights the relevance of implementing sustainable strategies to address these conditions, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, and 10, aiming to ensure a healthy life, promote inclusive and equitable education, and reduce inequalities while fostering social inclusion [3].  
Telemedicine and telerehabilitation (TR) have emerged as crucial tools for post-COVID-19 care. Our proposed platform, the Accessible Platform for Respiratory Therapies (PAR), is designed to address the respiratory rehabilitation needs of individuals who have suffered from COVID-19. The user-centered design (UCD) process, particularly the iPlus methodology, guided our approach, ensuring a focus on usability. Recent advancements in virtual healthcare technologies, encompassing digital health, have transformed respiratory care and healthcare infrastructure [7; 8]. Integrating digital technology into healthcare offers opportunities for improved patient outcomes and enhanced access to healthcare [8; 19].  
During the realization of this investigation, the work team found some advantages, especially in the telerehabilitation field focused on respiratory rehabilitation.  
Telerehabilitation platforms play a crucial role in delivering synchronous and asynchronous support to ambulatory patients, and our research significantly contributes to the advancement of this field. The PAR platform, crafted with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, is pivotal in promoting inclusive and effective physical development. Implementing the iPlus methodology and a user-centric approach ensures enhanced usability, providing a positive experience for users.  
Moreover, the platform offers free and open access to telerehabilitation sessions tailored to the specific needs of individuals with COVID-19 sequelae, ensuring inclusivity. Rigorous evaluations of accessibility and usability, conducted following modified WCAG-EM 1.0 and WCAG 2.1 standards and usability evaluation protocols, confirm the platform's commitment to inclusivity.