DIGITVOL: Digital Inclusion of Disabled Individuals in Online and Offline Voluntary Work
This project aims to investigate how disabled adults access and use mobile technologies, and how their digital inclusion or exclusion affect their participation in both online and offline voluntary work. To achieve this, we are bringing together disabled adults, third-sector practitioners, social scientists, vocational rehabilitation practitioners, and digital engagement specialists.
Our project involves an analysis of national trends in the access and usage of mobile technologies among disabled adults and examining how these trends affect their well-being and employment prospects. We will use Understanding Society (UKHLPS) survey for this. Additionally, we will interview disabled adults about their experiences with mobile technology usage to identify specific barriers they may encounter. If you would like to be interviewed or hear more about the project , please get in touch.
Ultimately, our objective is to provide practical guidelines and policy recommendations that can help mitigate the risk of digital exclusion among disabled individuals in the context of voluntary work. These findings will not only enhance the inclusivity, employability, and overall well-being of disabled people in voluntary roles but also hold potential relevance for their participation in paid employment.
The project is led by Prof Daiga Kamerāde, from the University of Salford, in collaboration with Prof Andrew Clark from Greenwich University, Christine Goodall from HEAR Network, Christine Parker and Dr. Cristina Vasilica.
Our project partners are
British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case management (BABICM)
Vocational Rehabilitation Association
Case Management Society (CMSUK).
Project Outputs
Research Report and the Guidelines for Digital Inclusion of Disabled Adults in Voluntary Work can be found here: Bridging the digital divide: Challenges and opportunities for disabled adults in volunteering • Digit
As part of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit), this work was supported by the UK Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/S012532/1], which is gratefully acknowledged.