Journal Article

The Digital Exclusion of People with Intellectual Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Snæfríðar- og Gunnarsdóttir, Hrafnhildur, Gunnarsdóttir, Ellen Dröfn, Björnsdóttir, Kristín

2024

Overview

This article aims to explore whether and how people with intellectual disabilities in Iceland were using information and communication technology during periods of COVID-19-related social restrictions, as well as examine barriers to their access to and use of such technology. The study uses two sets of data. Survey data were collected from disabled people (n = 412) and data from focus group interviews with people with intellectual disabilities (n = 16) were used to expand and elaborate on the survey results. Contrary to previous research findings, socioeconomic status was not a significant barrier to digital access for the participants. However, the study's results shed light on several intersecting socio-cultural hindrances that contributed to the digital exclusion of participants. The study is a contribution to a critical discussion on technological advancements, digital access, and uses that highlight the barriers derived from ableism. Keywords: People with intellectual disabilities, COVID-19, Digital divide, Data feminism, Critical disability studies

• Publisher: Ubiquity Press Ltd,Ubiquity Press,Stockholm University Press
• Subject: Access / Barriers / Communications technology / COVID-19 / critical disability studies / Data / data feminism / Digital divide / Digital divide (Technology) / Digital technology / Disability / Disability discrimination / Disability studies / Disabled persons / Education / Epidemics / Feminism / Focus groups / Iceland / Information technology / Intellectual disabilities / Intellectually disabled people / Internet / Multiculturalism & pluralism / Pandemics / People with disabilities / Polls & surveys / Power / Questionnaires / Social aspects / Sociocultural factors / Socioeconomic status / Surveys / Technology and civilization