Tensions between closure of the digital divide and acts of care in residential settings for persons with disabilities. A study of adopting customised information and communication technology

Abstract

Purpose

In contemporary society, being unable to take advantage of information and communication technology (ICT) can create barriers to maintaining social relations and, thus, can increase the risk of social exclusion and loneliness. Prior studies have revealed that, among persons with disabilities, customised ICT can contribute to the maintenance and improvement of personal social networks. Nevertheless, there is still a need for knowledge regarding the adaption of ICT of those involved when customized ICT are set up in the residents for persons with disabilities.

Methods

Through conducting interviews with four residents, as well as their relatives and members of staff this article explores how KOMP, a customised ICT product designed to enhance digital contact among people who are unable to use ICT independently, was applied in four different municipal residences in Norway. Collective qualitative analysis was utilised to perform this investigation.

Results

The analysis show that KOMP can help strengthen relationships, interferes with interactional practices, and underscores the institutionalised lives in the residences. These findings emphasise that applying customised ICT/KOMP in such settings highlights the underlying tensions regarding residents’ rights to self-determination and privacy.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into how formal and informal regulations developed by relatives and staff, with the purpose of both protecting residents and protecting oneself from digital exposure, impacts the residents’ ability to take advantage of customised ICT and overcome the digital disability divide.

IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION

• The present findings underscore the need for enhancing residential staff’s competence regarding the use of information and communication technology and their knowledge of the associated rights of persons with disabilities.

• These findings represent the need to improving residential staff’s awareness of their role in providing services that enable persons with disabilities to benefit from technological advancements offering distance communication.

Keywords:

• Collective qualitative analysis
• customised information and communication technology
• iCT
• digital disability divide
• KOMP
• residential living

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the participants for sharing their experiences, the municipality for their facilitation of the study, and the research group, Equitable Community Participation and Marginalised Groups, at Nord university for constructive feedback on article drafts.

Disclosure statement of interests

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Anita Berg

Anita Berg Ph.D. in Sociology at Nord university, Faculty of Nursing av Social Sciences, Norway. Professional background: Social Educator/Disability Nurse. Currently assistant division leader for Social Education and Mental Health, study program advisor at the bachelor program in social education, and head for the research group “Equitable community participation and marginalised groups”. Research interest: Disability studies, E-Health, Public Health Work in municipal setting, Science of Professions and Social inequality in health.

Hilde Guddingsmo

Hilde Guddingsmo Ph.D in Social work at Nord university, Faculty of Nursing and Social Sciences, Norway. Currently lecturer and researcher at the Disability Nurse programme. Research interest: Disability studies, Residential Living, Human Rights, Inclusive Research, Art-based Research and Creative methods.

Gunn Eva Solum Myren

Gunn Eva Solum Myren Ph.D. in Health Sciences at Nord university, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Norway. Professional background: Social Educator/Disability Nurse. Lecturing in social education bachelor/master. Currently head for the Norwegian national network “Inclusive research together with people who have intellectual disabilities”. Further,- 20% in Centre for Care Research, as supervisor to municipal health care. Interests: Dementia Care, Inclusive Research, Intellectual Disabilities and Welfare Technology.