A Multidimensional Analysis of the Disability Digital Divide: Some Evidence for Internet Use

• Published in: The Information society Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 48 - 64
• Main Authors: Vicente, María Rosalía, López, Ana Jesús
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2010; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Access; Attitudes; Digital; Digital divide; digital skills; Disabilities; disability; Disabled people; Education; Employment; Exact sciences and technology; Gaps; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Internet; Leisure; Library and information science. General aspects; People with disabilities; Physically Handicapped; Sciences and techniques of general use; Skills; Social exclusion; Studies; Telecommunications; Use and user studies. Information needs; Users; disability; User study; Use study; Internet; Digital divide; Information skill; digital skills
• ISSN: 0197-2243; 1087-6537
• DOI: 10.1080/01615440903423245

Over the last few years, information and communication technologies have become an essential part of daily life, affecting education, employment, and leisure, among other activities. Nonetheless, many individuals still reap few or no benefits from these technologies, and there are resilient gaps in their use. Within this larger context, the authors examine the Internet digital divide between people with and without disabilities from a multidimensional approach. Rather than analyzing the gap in terms of "haves" and "have-nots," a range of Internet-related dimensions-affordability, motivation and attitudes, skills, usage, and others-is taken into account.