The Information-Seeking Behavior of People With Disabilities

Introduction

The goal of this study is to investigate the information-seeking behaviour of people with disabilities in a variety of circumstances. The article examines the difficulties that persons with disabilities have while attempting to access and use digital media, healthcare, transportation, and other services. Furthermore, the paper explores the attitudes of parents of disabled youth toward physical exercise and the necessity for building accessible interactive technologies to facilitate educating children with impairments.

Individuals with impairments are the target audience for this publication. Accessing and using different services and technology presents unique difficulties and experiences for people with impairments. The study will concentrate on the information-seeking behaviour of persons with disabilities and their carers in various situations, such as digital media, healthcare, transportation, and education. The sources gave a complete picture of the problems and requirements of persons with disabilities when accessing information and services.

The article will be organized as follows: first, we will examine the research on the information-seeking behaviour of people with disabilities, with an emphasis on the difficulties they confront in obtaining and utilizing information and services. Second, we will investigate the attitudes of parents of disabled children toward physical exercise and the constraints they face in accessing sports facilities. Third, we will explore the necessity for developing accessible interactive technologies to assist teachers in educating children with impairments. Fourth, we will examine how people with impairments access digital media and how digital health literacy affects their health information-seeking behaviour. Finally, we will summarize the main results and implications for future study and practice. We will use the chosen sources to support our arguments and suggestions throughout the article.

Themes

Theme 1: Information needs of the user population

Baumgartner et al. (2021) found that people with disabilities have specific information needs related to their disabilities, such as information about assistive technology and accessible public transportation. Kynoch et al. (2019) found that patients and families in acute healthcare settings have information needs related to their conditions and treatments.

Theme 2: Information-seeking behaviours

Jaks et al. (2019) found that parents of children with disabilities use digital health-seeking behaviours to find information about their child’s health. Gibson and Martin III (2019) found that parents of individuals with disabilities experience information marginalization and face challenges in seeking and accessing information.

Theme 3: Information sources

Baumgartner et al. (2021) found that people with disabilities use a variety of information sources, including personal contacts, social media, and disability-specific websites and forums. Kynoch et al. (2019) found that patients and families in acute healthcare settings rely on healthcare providers as their primary information source.

Theme 4: Barriers and Challenges to accessing information

Baumgartner et al. (2021) found that people with disabilities face barriers and challenges in accessing information, such as inaccessible websites and a lack of knowledge about available resources. Gibson and Martin III (2019) found that parents of individuals with disabilities face information marginalization and experience barriers to accessing information.

Theme 5: Information Literacy and Skills

Flórez-Aristizábal et al. (2019) emphasized the importance of designing interactive tools to support teaching children with disabilities and developing information literacy skills. Zakar et al. (2021) found that university students in Pakistan have varying levels of digital health literacy, which may affect their health information-seeking behaviours.

Theme 6: Technology use

Baumgartner et al. (2021) found that people with disabilities use various types of technology, including smartphones and assistive technology, to access information. Wu et al. (2020) developed a mobile-based barrier-free service transportation platform to assist people with disabilities in accessing transportation services.

Theme 7: Health information behaviour

Columna et al. (2020) found that parents of youth with disabilities have positive attitudes towards physical activity but face barriers to participation and require specific information related to adapted physical activity. Mhiripiri and Midzi (2021) highlighted the activism of persons with disabilities in fighting for the mediatization of COVID-19 information.

Theme 8: Other relevant themes

Qi and Hu (2020) emphasized the importance of including people with disabilities in emergency preparedness and response plans for COVID-19. Zakar et al. (2021) found that university students in Pakistan have increased their health information-seeking behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary of Findings

The literature reviewed shows that individuals with disabilities have specific information needs related to their disabilities and face barriers and challenges in accessing information. They use various types of technology to access information and rely on a variety of information sources. Information-seeking behaviours vary depending on the user population and the context, and health information behaviour is an essential aspect of information-seeking for individuals with disabilities. Developing information literacy and skills is necessary to support the information needs of individuals with disabilities, and including them in emergency preparedness and response plans is crucial. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of health information-seeking behaviour and the use of technology for individuals with disabilities.

Research Question

The population chosen for this analysis is individuals with disabilities, and the references provided cover various research topics related to their information behaviour. Some significant research questions that have driven past studies into this population’s information behaviour are: What are the information needs and seeking behaviours of individuals with disabilities, and how do they differ from those of individuals without disabilities? What are the barriers to accessing and using information for individuals with disabilities, and how can these barriers be overcome?

How can technology be used to improve access to information and communication for individuals with disabilities, and what factors influence their adoption of these technologies? How do the information behaviours of parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities impact the health and well-being of individuals and their families? How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the information behaviour of individuals with disabilities, and what are the implications for their health and well-being? These questions reflect a growing awareness of the importance of understanding the information behaviour of individuals with disabilities and the barriers they face in accessing and using information.

Previous research has shown that individuals with disabilities often face significant challenges in accessing and using information, including a lack of access to assistive technologies, limited access to digital resources, and low levels of digital literacy. Understanding these barriers is essential to developing effective interventions and policies to improve the information behaviour and outcomes of individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of ensuring that individuals with disabilities access accurate and timely health information. As such, researchers and policymakers need to continue to investigate the information behaviour of individuals with disabilities and to develop strategies to address the barriers they face in accessing and using information.

Problems with Information Behaviour

People with disabilities experience various issues when acquiring and using information. The abovementioned research shed light on some of the most critical aspects affecting this population’s information behaviour. The digital gap, which restricts access to technology and the internet, is a significant problem. People with disabilities experience challenges in accessing and utilizing digital devices, which affects their capacity to use digital information sources, according to Baumgartner et al. (2021). Another concern is the marginalization of information. Gibson and Martin III (2019) highlight how parents of disabled children might face information poverty or a lack of access to the knowledge they need to make educated choices regarding their child’s care.

Furthermore, persons with disabilities face substantial challenges due to a lack of accessible information and technology. Flórez-Aristizábal et al. (2019) emphasize the need to create accessible interactive technologies for children with impairments since their demands may vary from those of typically developing youngsters. The interaction of disability and other variables, such as culture and language, influences information-seeking behaviour. For example, Zakar et al. (2021) discovered that owing to insufficient digital health literacy, university students with disabilities in Pakistan encounter challenges in obtaining and interpreting health information.

Finally, the COVID-19 epidemic has highlighted new issues for people with impairments. On COVID-19, Mhiripiri and Midzi (2021) examine the necessity for accessible information, whilst Qi and Hu (2020) emphasize incorporating individuals with disabilities in disaster planning and response operations. The difficulties confronting people with disabilities regarding information behaviour are complicated and multidimensional. To address these difficulties, academics, politicians, and technology developers must work together to guarantee that everyone has fair access to information and the tools required.

Research Gap

There is a wealth of literature on people with disabilities, their information-seeking activities, and their interactions with technology and media. However, significant gaps and unsolved issues in the literature need additional investigation. Individuals with impairments’ digital health information-seeking activities are one area that requires further investigation. While some studies have looked at patients’ and families’ information requirements and seeking behaviours in acute care settings, no research focuses primarily on people with disabilities. More study is required to understand better how people access and utilize health information, particularly in light of the COVID-19 epidemic and the move to telehealth.

Another area that needs further research is the influence of parents in encouraging physical exercise among kids with disabilities. While research on parents’ opinions on physical activity exists, most concentrate on the difficulties they experience rather than the tactics, they take to encourage their children’s physical activity. Further study should look at how parents can effectively promote physical exercise among children with impairments and how technology can help assist these efforts.

More study on creating accessible interactive technologies to facilitate education for children with impairments is also required. While some studies have looked at the design of assistive technology, more study is needed to provide a complete framework for creating accessible interactive tools that may help children with disabilities with their education and development. Finally, research on the interaction of disability and information poverty is lacking, especially in the context of digital information. While some studies have looked at the information-seeking activities of parents of disabled children, more study is required to understand how people with disabilities experience information poverty and how this impacts their access to digital information.

In conclusion, although there is a substantial amount of research on people with disabilities, various gaps and unaddressed topics still need additional investigation. Future research could concentrate on individuals with disabilities digital health information-seeking behaviours, practical strategies for promoting physical activity among youth with disabilities, the development of accessible interactive tools to aid in teaching children with disabilities, and the intersection of disability and information poverty in the context of digital information.

Unanswered research questions include:

In the digital age, how can technology be made more accessible to those with disabilities? Individuals with impairments face hurdles while accessing technology, according to Baumgartner et al. (2021), such as inaccessible websites, apps, and gadgets. More study is required to investigate ways to design and deploy more accessible technologies to promote the digital inclusion of people with impairments. What obstacles do parents of disabled children experience while encouraging physical exercise for their children? Columna et al. (2020) undertook a comprehensive study of the attitudes of parents of disabled children toward physical activity.

More study is required, however, to uncover particular challenges that parents encounter, such as a lack of awareness about adequate physical exercise, a lack of resources, and social stigma. How can health and disability information be successfully conveyed to parents of disabled children? According to Gibson and Martin III (2019), parents of disabled children may face information marginalization and difficulty accessing crucial information. More study is required to develop effective communication techniques to guarantee that parents can access trustworthy and accurate information that may help their disabled children’s health and well-being.

How can interactive tools be created to aid in the education of children with disabilities? Florez-Aristizabal et al. (2019) offer a framework for developing accessible interactive technologies to help educate disabled children. More study, however, is required to investigate how to build and deploy effective interactive technologies that can assist the learning requirements of children with various impairments. What are the information requirements and seeking behaviours of patients and families with disabilities in acute care settings? Kynoch et al. (2019) performed a scoping assessment of patients’ and families’ information requirements and seeking behaviours in acute care settings.

More study, however, is required to determine the unique information requirements and seeking behaviours of disabled patients and families to guarantee that they get appropriate and effective treatment. The literature emphasizes the need for more study in these areas to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. Baumgartner et al. (2021) stress the necessity of removing obstacles to technology access for people with impairments to foster digital inclusion. Columna et al. (2020) contend that encouraging physical exercise for people with disabilities is critical to enhancing their health and well-being.

Gibson and Martin III (2019) emphasize the importance of good communication tactics in ensuring that parents of disabled children have access to trustworthy and accurate information. Florez-Aristizabal et al. (2019) propose that interactive technologies may help children with impairments learn. According to Kynoch et al. (2019), meeting the unique information demands and seeking behaviours of patients and families with impairments in acute healthcare settings is critical. Addressing these unresolved scientific problems can enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Design of a Research Study

Research Question:

How do individuals with disabilities perceive and experience media use in the digital era? What are their information needs and seeking behaviours?

Research Study:

The proposed research study would use a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of individuals with disabilities regarding their media use and information needs. The study would be guided by the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model, which proposes that information, motivation, and behavioural skills are essential determinants of health behaviour.

Data Collection:

Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals with disabilities. The interviews would be in-person or online, depending on the participants’ preferences and accessibility needs. The interviews would be audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis.

Interview Questions:

How do you use different media platforms (e.g., social media, websites, mobile apps) to access information? What are the barriers you face when seeking information on digital platforms? What motivates you to seek information on digital media? How confident are you in your ability to find and evaluate information online?

Data Analysis:

The data gathered will be analyzed using thematic analysis. The transcripts would be reviewed to identify essential media use and information needs themes. The themes would be compared across participants to identify similarities and differences in experiences.

Potential Impact:

The analysis results could improve our understanding of how individuals with disabilities perceive and experience media use in the digital era. The study could identify specific barriers that individuals with disabilities face when seeking information online, which could inform the development of more accessible and inclusive information services. The study could also highlight the information needs of individuals with disabilities, which could inform the design of more targeted information services and resources. Ultimately, the analysis results could contribute to developing more effective strategies to support individuals with disabilities in accessing and utilizing digital media for information seeking and other purposes.

Conclusion

Finally, during the COVID-19 epidemic, the chosen articles address many topics linked to persons with disabilities, such as their media usage, information-seeking behaviour, access to technology and healthcare, physical activity, and activism. The articles give vital insights into this population’s experiences and viewpoints and shed light on the barriers they confront in obtaining information, resources, and services. These results show that additional study and action are needed to enhance inclusion, accessibility, and equality for people with disabilities. The existing studies’ limitations were also addressed, and prospective future study areas were explored. Overall, the articles stress the necessity of recognizing and responding to the needs and experiences of people with disabilities to promote their well-being and full engagement in society.

Index

Thematic Analysis Matrix

Matrix

References

Baumgartner, A., Rohrbach, T., & Schönhagen, P. (2021). ‘If the phone were broken, I’d be screwed’: media use of people with disabilities in the digital era. Disability & Society, 1-25.

Columna, L., Prieto, L., Elias-Revolledo, G., & Haegele, J. A. (2020). The perspectives of parents of youth with disabilities toward physical activity: A systematic review. Disability and health journal, 13(2), 100851.

Jaks, R., Baumann, I., Juvalta, S., & Dratva, J. (2019). Parental digital health information seeking behaviour in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study. BMC public health, 19(1), 1-11.

Flórez-Aristizábal, L., Cano, S., Collazos, C. A., Solano, A. F., & Brewster, S. (2019, May). Designability: Framework for the design of accessible interactive tools to support teaching to children with disabilities. In Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-16).

Gibson, A. N., & Martin III, J. D. (2019). Re‐situating information poverty: Information marginalization and parents of individuals with disabilities. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 70(5), 476-487.

Kynoch, K., Ramis, M. A., Crowe, L., Cabilan, C. J., & McArdle, A. (2019). Information needs and information seeking behaviours of patients and families in acute healthcare settings: a scoping review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 17(6), 1130-1153.

Mhiripiri, N. A., & Midzi, R. (2021). Fighting for survival: persons with disabilities’ activism for the mediatization of COVID-19 information. Media International Australia, 178(1), 151-167.

Qi, F., & Hu, L. (2020). Including people with disability in the COVID-19 outbreak emergency preparedness and response in China. Disability & Society, 35(5), 848-853.

Wu, Y. J., Liu, W. J., & Yuan, C. H. (2020). A mobile-based barrier-free service transportation platform for people with disabilities. Computers in Human Behavior, 107, 105776.

Zakar, R., Iqbal, S., Zakar, M. Z., & Fischer, F. (2021). COVID-19 and health information seeking behaviour: digital health literacy survey amongst university students in Pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4009.