Research Output
‘Now that I am connected this isn't social isolation, this is engaging with people’: Staying connected during the COVID‐19 pandemic
  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.

  • Type:

    Article

  • Date:

    22 April 2022

  • Publication Status:

    In Press

  • Publisher

    Wiley

  • DOI:

    10.1111/bld.12478

  • Cross Ref:

    10.1111/bld.12478

  • ISSN:

    1354-4187

  • Funders:

    Edinburgh Napier Funded

Citation

Spassiani, N. A., Becaj, M., Miller, C., Hiddleston, A., Hume, A., & Tait, S. (in press). ‘Now that I am connected this isn't social isolation, this is engaging with people’: Staying connected during the COVID‐19 pandemic. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12478

Authors

Keywords

COVID-19, digital inclusion, disability, intellectual/developmental disability, technology

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