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. 2022 Apr 22:10.1111/bld.12478.
doi: 10.1111/bld.12478. Online ahead of print.

'Now that I am connected this isn't social isolation, this is engaging with people': Staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic

Natasha A Spassiani  1 , Mojca Becaj  1 , Clare Miller  1 , Andrew Hiddleston  1 , Aaron Hume  1 , Stephan Tait  1
Affiliations

'Now that I am connected this isn't social isolation, this is engaging with people': Staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic

Natasha A Spassiani et al. Br J Learn Disabil. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has put adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities at greater risk of being socially excluded due to physical distancing. Technology has been looked at as a tool for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to stay connected, however, little is known about this topic. The purpose of this study was to explore how a grassroots disability organisation used technology to help adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities feel socially connected during the pandemic.

Methods: Data were collected through questionnaires, attendance records, and field notes; and analysed through trend and thematic analysis.

Findings: Four main themes emerged from the data: active leadership, mental wellbeing, technology/digital inclusion, and safety.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that when participants overcome technological barriers they found it easy to socially connect online during lockdown.

Keywords: COVID‐19; digital inclusion; disability; intellectual/developmental disability; technology.

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