BETTER-Project: Web Accessibility for Persons with Mental Disorders

Bernard, Renaldo M; Sabariego, Carla; Baldwin, David S.; Abou-Zahra, Shadi; Cieza, Alarcos

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-21006-3_3

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…It is also expected that the Web would benefit from greater inclusivity where people with depression and anxiety could also make valuable contributions to this informational resource. This research was conducted under the BETTER (weB accEssibiliTy for people wiTh mEntal disoRders) project that investigates Web accessibility for people with depression and anxiety and focuses on these conditions because of their high burden relative to that of other mental health conditions [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

Bernard¹,

Sabariego²,

Cieza³

2019

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundDepression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions, and they were identified as leading contributors to global disability in 2016. People with these conditions rely on Web-based resources as a source of accurate health information, convenient and effective treatment, and essential social support. However, a recent systematic review revealed several potentially limiting difficulties that this group experiences online and also suggested that there is a partial understanding of these difficulties as only difficulties associated with neurocognitive, but not sociocognitive, deficits were identified. Therefore, this study fills this knowledge gap and contributes to a more robust and fuller understanding of the difficulties this group experiences online.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experience when using the Web and the Web activities that are most associated with the experience of difficulties.MethodsThe study employed data triangulation using face-to-face semistructured interviews with 21 participants affected by depression and anxiety and a comparison group (7 participants) without mental disorders (study 1) as well as a persona-based expert online survey with 21 mental health practitioners (MHPs) who treated people with depression and anxiety (study 2). Framework analysis for both studies proceeded through 5 stages: (1) familiarization, (2) identifying a thematic framework, (3) indexing, (4) charting, and (5) mapping and interpretation.ResultsIn study 1, 167 difficulties were identified from the experiences of participants in the depression and anxiety group were discussed within the context of 81 Web activities, services, and features. From these, 4 themes and 12 subthemes describing the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experienced online were identified. Difficulties relating to the subtheme lack of control over access and usage were the most common difficulties experienced by participants in the depression and anxiety group (19/21). Sixteen difficulties identified from the experiences of participants in the comparison group were discussed within the context of 11 Web activities, services, and features. Most participants in the comparison group (6/7) contributed to the subtheme describing difficulties with unexpected and irrelevant content. In study 2, researchers identified 3 themes and 10 subthemes that described the perceived difficulties people with depression and anxiety might experience online as reported by MHPs. Practitioners linked these difficulties with 22 common impairments, limitations in activities of daily life, and diagnostic criteria associated with depression and anxiety.ConclusionsPeople with depression and anxiety also experience difficulties when using the Web that are related to the sociocognitive deficits associated with their conditions. MHPs have a good awareness of the difficulties that people with depression and anxiety are likely to experience when using the Web. This inve...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

Bernard¹,

Sabariego²,

Cieza³

2019

J Med Internet Res

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“…People with mental disorders have received little attention from Web accessibility research despite increased inquiries into the difficulty others with cognitive impairment face on the Web. This research gap was highlighted over a decade ago [ 20 , 21 ], and more recently, there has been some indication that the gap still exists [ 22 ]. Current recommendations also prescribe the same treatment to address accessibility for PwMD and a myriad of other diverse conditions that fall under the broad heading of conditions associated with cognitive limitations (eg, intellectual disabilities, multiple sclerosis) [ 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Facilitation Measures Related to People With Mental Disorders When Using the Web: A Systematic Review

Bernard¹,

Sabariego²,

Cieza³

2016

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundMental disorders (MDs) affect almost 1 in 4 adults at some point during their lifetime, and coupled with substance use disorders are the fifth leading cause of disability adjusted life years worldwide. People with these disorders often use the Web as an informational resource, platform for convenient self-directed treatment, and a means for many other kinds of support. However, some features of the Web can potentially erect barriers for this group that limit their access to these benefits, and there is a lack of research looking into this eventuality. Therefore, it is important to identify gaps in knowledge about “what” barriers exist and “how” they could be addressed so that this knowledge can inform Web professionals who aim to ensure the Web is inclusive to this population.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to provide an overview of existing evidence regarding the barriers people with mental disorders experience when using the Web and the facilitation measures used to address such barriers.MethodsThis study involved a systematic review of studies that have considered the difficulties people with mental disorders experience when using digital technologies. Digital technologies were included because knowledge about any barriers here would likely be also applicable to the Web. A synthesis was performed by categorizing data according to the 4 foundational principles of Web accessibility as proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium, which forms the necessary basis for anyone to gain adequate access to the Web. Facilitation measures recommended by studies were later summarized into a set of minimal recommendations.ResultsA total of 16 publications were included in this review, comprising 13 studies and 3 international guidelines. Findings suggest that people with mental disorders experience barriers that limit how they perceive, understand, and operate websites. Identified facilitation measures target these barriers in addition to ensuring that Web content can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user applications.ConclusionsPeople with mental disorders encounter barriers on the Web, and attempts have been made to remove or reduce these barriers. As forewarned by experts in the area, only a few studies investigating this issue were found. More rigorous research is needed to be exhaustive and to have a larger impact on improving the Web for people with mental disorders.

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“…With a greater number of people turning to the internet for information and guidance for their health and lifestyle decisions, there has been increasing concern regarding the accessibility, usability, reliability, and readability of the content presented online (Bernard et al, 2015;Finnie et al, 2010;McInnes & Haglund, 2011). This small exploratory study identified that mental health consumers were hesitant to utilise the internet for NDIS-related information, preferring more traditional forms of seeking information such as paper-based literature, service providers, and the NDIS phoneline.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is currently limited research regarding the methods, online or otherwise, by which mental health consumers are currently accessing information regarding the NDIS. Ensuring equitable access to information on the internet requires the removal of barriers that may make it difficult for consumers to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with websites (Bernard et al, 2015). Research has identified that people with mental health conditions experience difficulties when using the internet due to barriers resulting from distracting and confusing design, complicated content and website functions, an overabundance of information, and a highdemand for good fine motor skills and rapid information processing (Bernard et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting choice, recovery and participation: Information is the key to NDIS access for those with psychosocial disability

Stewart

Visser

Slattery

2020

Journal of Social Inclusion

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Currently there is limited understanding of how people living with severe and persistent mental health issues use and experience the internet when searching for information regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This study aimed to investigate what information mental health consumers want about the NDIS and how they would find this online. A small exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted using a naturalistic inquiry approach. Brief semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from nine mental health consumers living in Hobart, Australia. Three emergent themes were identified, (1) knowledge about the NDIS; (2) internet usage; and(3) the importance of language. The findings highlighted that individuals accessed NDIS information from a variety of sources with a preference for obtaining information from people rather than the internet. Of those who had searched online for NDIS related information, their level of understanding of the scheme was quite limited suggesting that information provided online was not adequately meeting their needs. More generally, participants reported difficulty navigating NDIS literature due to language complexity. Participants also reported confusion regarding specific aspects of the NDIS scheme and a misunderstanding of the roles and functions of the NDIS and Centrelink. These findings suggest that the information provided to potential NDIS psychosocial participants does not meet their needs, and individuals want simple guidance as to what the NDIS is, how it works, and what funding opportunities it offers people. Access to clear and easy to understand information for mental health consumers may support recovery via improved uptake of the NDIS.

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BETTER-Project: Web Accessibility for Persons with Mental Disorders

Cited by 5 publications

References 28 publications

Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

Barriers and Facilitation Measures Related to People With Mental Disorders When Using the Web: A Systematic Review

Supporting choice, recovery and participation: Information is the key to NDIS access for those with psychosocial disability

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