Do disabilities impede the use of information and communication technologies? Findings of a repeated cross-sectional study – 2003-2015

Abstract

BackgroundThe current research focuses on trends of Internet adoption and digital uses among people with disabilities over a thirteen-year period.MethodsThe study is based on data elicited from a repeated cross-sectional study collected by means of Annual Social Surveys conducted by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics between 2003 and 2015. The sample included 95,145 respondents, among them 22,290 respondents with disabilities.ResultsThe rate of Internet access and digital uses increased continuously among disabled people; however the gap between them and the population without disabilities was preserved. We found that Internet use depends on a number of socio-economic characteristic. Socio-demographic variables were much more powerful in predicting Internet use vs non-use among the total population, compared to predicting digital uses among Internet users.ConclusionsOur findings make it possible to identify disadvantaged groups in which disability intersects with low rates of Internet adoption and belonging to unprivileged groups: Arabs, the religious, the elderly, lower SES individuals. The effects of most of these variables did not change in the period under study. Generally, we recommend finding a way to promote courses that focus on promoting digital literacy in general and eHealth literacy in particular in small groups of people of similar age, digital skill level and motor / health problems. Considering the high representation of Arabs among people with disabilities and lower rates of Internet adoption and use among Arabs, it is recommended that efforts continue to increase the scope and quality of Arabic language content published on Israeli eHealth sites. In order to diminish income-based digital divide we recommend providing publicly accessible free information technologies, for example, in community clubs, senior citizen clubs, and independent- and assisted- living projects for the disabled.

Information and communication technologies: where are persons with intellectual disabilities?

“…Studies have repeatedly shown that persons with intellectual disabilities, similarly to other persons with a disability as well as members of society at large, can gain many benefits from the use of the Internet. In line with the human and social capital benefits suggested by Lissitsa and Madar [3], among the benefits of ICTs for persons with intellectual disabilities are greater social interactions, connectedness, participation in mutual support groups, and access to information [8, 9]. A recent review that focused on social media use by people with intellectual disabilities found that this online environment has a potential for positive social and emotional experiences for this population in the area of friendships, development of social identity and self-esteem, and enjoyment [10].…”

“…To map some of the benefits of ICT use, the study conducted by Lissitsa and Madar [3] differentiated between using the Internet to gain human capital vs. social capital. Human capital relates to Internet use to seek information, including information related to health, products, and events [4].…”

“…Human capital relates to Internet use to seek information, including information related to health, products, and events [4]. Social capital refers to the ability to communicate with others using e-mail and other types of social media [3].…”

“…In their comprehensive study, based on data derived from the Annual Social Surveys of Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, Lissitsa and Madar [3] examined trends of Internet and digital use by persons with disabilities between 2003 and 2015. The researchers were able to obtain information on over 90,000 respondents, of whom over 22,000 reported having a disability.…”

“…Researchers should survey persons with intellectual disabilities from various residential settings, including those who live in supported living arrangements. It is also important to measure ICT use not only with respect to computers, as reported in the Annual Social Surveys of Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics [3], but also regarding other digital devices, such as tablets and smartphones, because of the massive growth in the use of these devices by the general population, including persons with disabilities. Future research should also include an assessment of factors that may promote or impede ICT use by persons with intellectual disabilities, such as their attitudes toward ICT use, given that attitudes were found to be associated with usage rate [20].…”