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Using the Internet? The experiences of parents of disabled children
- Authors:
- BLACKBURN C., READ J.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 31(5), September 2005, pp.507-515.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper looks at parents of disabled children's experience of using the Internet. The study draws on a subset of data from the 'Carers Online' project, which took place between 2001 and 2003 in the UK. A cross-sectional survey of 3014 adult carers, of which 788 were carers of disabled children aged 0-17, was used. Data were collected using a postal questionnaire. A high proportion (75%) had previously used the Internet. Of these, 63% were frequent users and 91% were using it at home. Popular uses were emailing, obtaining information about caring, ordering equipment and shopping online. Despite positive benefits, users experienced problems relating to technical issues and equipment and system design. Lack of time owing to caring and other circumstances was an issue for over half of all users. Those who did not use the Internet were more likely to be living in rented accommodation, be unemployed and not have a PC at home. Reasons for not using the Internet included lack of access to equipment, cost and lack of skill. The authors conclude that for some parents the Internet is a viable and flexible medium for accessing useful information and services. However, caution about the extent to which it becomes the primary means for delivering information is needed. The 'digital divide' between users and non-users makes it crucial that issues of cost, lack of equipment and skill be addressed. Information needs to be made available in other forms to ensure that those who cannot or do not wish to use the Internet are not socially excluded.