Keeping Connected and Staying Well

This Open University research explores the impact of technology on people with learning disabilities during the pandemic.

Conducted between July and September 2020, the OU researchers sought to find out whether and how people with learning disabilities have been supported to use technology to keep well and stay connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It makes eight important findings, including:

• The main reasons supporters gave for using technology with people with learning disabilities during the pandemic were to contribute to good mental health and/or well-being; to help combat loneliness and a sense of isolation; to help overcome boredom through lack of activity and to provide information about the coronavirus and staying safe (Finding 3)
• One of the most significant factors that enables people with learning disabilities to use and benefit from technologies during lockdown is support from someone living with them (Finding 5)
• The most significant barriers to enabling people with learning disabilities to use and benefit from technologies during lockdown are The Digital Divide and Lack of In-Home Support (Finding 6)
• Using technologies to support people with learning disabilities during lockdown has highlighted the technological capabilities of people with learning disabilities and the potential of new support practices (Finding 8)