Web Sense: Assisting Individuals with Disabilities and Caregivers to Find Online Health Information

Abstract

Retrieving online health information can be challenging for many individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Librarians and other informed mediators have an important role to guide consumers and caregivers to web sites posting authoritative, unbiased, and current health information specific to an individual's needs using the mnemonic “A-B-C” (Authority, Bias, and Currency). Users can also identify quality indicators from accrediting or certifying organizations. Reliable information benefits individuals with disabilities and caregivers, facilitating active participation and informed decision making about health. This article provides a brief process for librarians and health educators to use when assisting individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Disabilities
• health
• information technology
• Internet

Acknowledgments

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under contract No. N01-LM-63502 with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Educational Accountability. These contents do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the funders.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marcia R. O'Neal

Marcia R. O'Neal, PhD, is a research associate professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for Educational Accountability and School of Education, Birmingham.

Brian F. Geiger

Brian F. Geiger, EdD, FAAHE, is professor of Health Education & PhD Program director, assistant director, Center for Educational Accountability, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education, College of Arts & Sciences, Birmingham.

M. Anarella Cellitti

M. Anarella Cellitti is associate professor, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, College of Education, Little Rock.

Priya Chandan

Priya Chandan, MD/MPH, is a resident physician, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond.

Kay Hogan Smith

Kay Hogan Smith, MLS, AHIP, is associate professor/community services librarian, University of Alabama at Birmingham Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, Birmingham.