“I would be lost without it but it's not the same” experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities of using information & communication technology during the COVID‐19 global pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is a life-threatening virus which has circulated the globe resulting in unprecedented effects on the daily lives of people across the world.Countries across the globe have advocated measures, including self-isolation and maintaining social distance to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has seen an increase in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for many aspects of life. This study aimed to find out from people with intellectual disabilities what it was like using ICT during COVID-19 and how this affected their lives.Method: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 19 people with learning disabilities throughout the COVID pandemic. The qu/alitative data gathered was analysed using longitudinal thematic framework analysis to identify the main ways technology use had impacted on people's lives and the challenges and facilitators of technology use during this time. Findings: Technology played an important role in the lives of the people with learning disabilities who took part in the study. Technology facilitated continuation and maintenance of important daily activities and roles in people's lives (e.g., jobs, getting support and leisure), keeping people meaningfully occupied and maintaining social contact which reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation. People adapted and learned new skills, with help from friends, family and support staff, which boosted self-confidence. Despite some identified barriers, prior technology use, tenacity and a positive attitude towards ICT supported learning new skills and adaptation to increased ICT use.Conclusions: Supporting the development of digital competence, confidence and persistence in people with learning disabilities was important during this international crisis and has had a fundamental positive effect on wellbeing.

Digital inclusion and people with learning disabilities

“…Future research needs to continue to consider the ways in which support is provided and the opportunities people with learning disabilities have to demonstrate their leadership and support skills. Peer support from existing networks was a preference that emerged within some of the studies (Agren et al, 2023;Castro et al, 2023;Chadwick et al, 2023).…”

“…We are happy that over half of the papers in this special issue focus on the accounts of people with learning disabilities from across the lifespan. Young adults (Agren et al, 2023; Fitzpatrick et al, 2023; Safari et al, 2023; Lystbæk‐Weber et al, 2022), adults (Chadwick et al, 2023; Danker et al, 2023) and older adults (McCausland et al, 2023) share their experiences of using ICT, providing rich and valuable insights into their lives. Importantly, the experiences of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (Caton et al, 2023) are also included, via their carers, in this special issue.…”

“…Across many of the studies, barriers to using and accessing technology were evident (Agren et al, 2023; Caton et al, 2023; Chadwick et al, 2023; Danker et al, 2023; Engwall, 2023; Seale, 2022). Barriers related to technology included cost, the relative amount of inaccessible software and its complexity.…”

“…Digital skills became more important during the pandemic (see e.g., Castro et al, 2023; Chadwick et al, 2023), with those who had greater need, motivation and existing skills being more successful in moving to online life. Education and training (Danker et al, 2023; Chadwick et al, 2023; McCausland et al, 2023) are all important facilitators of digital inclusion, which can enable people with learning disabilities to develop their digital literacy skills, communication and leadership skills and their confidence in using technology along with supporting others to use ICT. The use of accessible online learning programmes to develop nondigital assertiveness skills is also considered (Fitzpatrick & Trninic, 2023).…”

“…One of the primary uses of ICT and the internet is for social contact—to develop and maintain social relationships and to create a sense of belonging and community. People with learning disabilities regard this as valuable and important (Agren et al, 2023; Castro et al, 2023; Chadwick et al, 2023; McCausland et al, 2023; Spassiani et al, 2023) as do those providing support (Caton et al, 2023; Seale, 2022). The unfamiliar and less desirable nature of online compared with face‐to‐face interaction is highlighted in a number of the papers (e.g., Castro et al, 2023; Caton et al, 2023; Chadwick et al, 2023), particularly those focussing on digital inclusion during the pandemic.…”