Award No: RES-062-23-0177

Issues in Technology Usage for Disabled People in the UK

The poster reports on the outcome of a series of ‘User Clubs’ in which disabled people talked about their everyday use of technology. The main issue of concern for users was cost of devices and how to secure sufficient funds to buy and update them. The ‘disability market’ of specialised devices that are expensive was a source of much discontent to users. Other issues were:

·        Specialised devices were described as oversized, overpriced and ugly

·        Access to full information on new products and capabilities to solve the problems of assisted living is missing

·        Training in use of devices missing or unaffordable (especially in mainstream market)

·        Unaffordability of updates for software and programs requiring newer/ faster capacity to run

In relation to computing the following issues arose:

·        Training: Need for training (expensive and vital).Manuals were ‘useless’ one-to-one demonstration required.

·        Internet: Concern about dial up costs deters users from internet use. Concern over functionality.

·        Breakdown: Reliability is key - breakdown means being ‘stuck’. Remote fixing of the computer (via phone) is helpful. Breakdown is critical when the user relies on the computer for communication

·        General: Under-use of the considerable number of features/capacity. Some users obtained access to computers through schemes (Access to Work; Business award scheme).

Professor Jennifer Harris

Interdisciplinary Disability Research Institute

University of Dundee

Dundee, DD1 4HN

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