ERIC Number: EJ1377097
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jun
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-4187
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3156
Online Activities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities at a Day Centre in the Wake of COVID-19
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v51 n2 p229-237 Jun 2023
Background: The lockdown of a day centre for individuals with intellectual disabilities led to digital activities instead of traditional physical presence. Method: This study is based on 17 interviews with staff of a day centre, directors of day centres and support persons. Findings: The purpose of the digital activities was to overcome physical distance and to create "social connectedness" with service users at a day centre. Emphasis was placed on recognisability to meet the needs of the service users. When the lockdown was lifted, service users were included in the production of digital artefacts. There were also obstacles to digitalisation: some service users had no access to Internet or tablets at home, some lawyers forbid the use of common digital programmes and service users were denied being visible on social media, support persons lacked digital competence and were reluctant to digital activities. Conclusions: The experiences of digital activities including coproduction of films made individuals with intellectual disabilities active and visible on social media. This might facilitate the possibilities for future digital inclusion in society. The support from staff at the sheltered accommodations was vital and when it succeeded it promoted a more holistic approach to the service users' everyday lives.
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Educational Technology, Barriers, Access to Computers, Internet, Technological Literacy, Activities, Films, Social Media, Day Programs, Interpersonal Relationship
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A