The role of mobile technology in promoting social inclusion among adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background: Mobile technology has the potential to assist adults with intellectual disabilities to initiate and maintain social connections in important areas of their lives, such as family, friends and work/volunteering. Method:The present study investigated how specific aspects of mobile device/app use are associated with the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The study also examined what background attributes were associated with particular patterns of mobile device/app use and social inclusion. Results:The findings revealed that the use of mobile technology among adults with intellectual disabilities was positively associated with their social inclusion with family, friends and work/volunteering. There were also some key background attributes associated with participants' use of mobile technology and the extent to which mobile technology assisted their social inclusion.Conclusions: Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

The impact of COVID‐19 on the social inclusion of older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland

“…Critical to these opportunities will be ensuring that people with ID and those supporting them possess the digital skills to use technology to their advantage, which is made more difficult because of inaccessible app development (Shpigelman 2018; Martin et al . 2021). This is something that the research team is addressing through the Digi‐ID study, which aims to co‐create accessible digital skills education for people with ID and their carers (Murphy et al .…”

“…For example, Martin et al . (2021) found that self‐determined use of mobile technology and apps was associated with improved social inclusion among adults with ID (mean age 42), as was more frequent use and use of more devices and apps. Chiner et al .…”

Social Inclusion Challenges for Different Society Groups in Latvia

“…Integral, complex care -The main problem is to join different public and private initiatives in the complex network of interaction for all people including rural and less developed areas and all households, including first of all those living alone, and researchers are advising to check all aspets including housing (Arundel & Ronald 2021). Researchers in many countries have found and analysed research results in good practice on that (Martin, et al, 2021;Pernegger, 2021). The The significance of cooperation and solidarity between people and generations becomes more clear during crises.…”

‘Internet is easy if you know how to use it’: Doing online research with people with learning disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…However, people can be further excluded if too much weight is given to perceived online risks—which might lead to gatekeeping and restrictions of access—but not enough effort is put into equipping people with skills to manage this risk and learn to navigate the online world (D. Chadwick, 2019 ). Other studies identify control over internet use by staff and/or families and safeguarding concerns, access to WIFI, and costs as barriers inhibiting digital engagement (Caton & Chapman, 2016 ; Alfredsson Ågren et al, 2020a ; Martin et al, 2021 ). It has further been suggested that some researchers assume people with learning disabilities are not able to use technology (Seale et al, 2019 ).…”