Digital Technology and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Afterwards

Abstract

This chapter examines digital inclusion as related to social inclusion of people with disabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards. One approach is positive regarding the link between social and digital inclusion. Disadvantaged subpopulations, such as people with disabilities, can improve their learning experience online, accessing health information and improving their social networking with others and their social inclusion. The negative approach is that people who have accessibility difficulties online may find the same situation offline. The chapter discusses the digital divide among people with disabilities during the pandemic regarding a lack of hardware, connectivity, and technological digital literacy to access digital devices and the internet. In addition, it discusses the merits and barriers of digital technology for people with all types of disabilities, including visual impairment, auditory disabilities, locomotor disability, cognitive disability, and autism spectrum disorder.