The role of mobile technology in promoting social inclusion among adults with intellectual disabilities
Andrew J. Martin, Iva Strnadová, Julie Loblinzk, Joanne Danker, Therese M. Cumming
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.