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Digital competence and internet use/behavior of persons with disabilities in PC and smart device use

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Abstract

This study aimed to understand the digital divide in Korea by analyzing the digital competence and Internet use/behavior of persons with disabilities (PwD) in the context of PC and smart device use. Data from the 2018 Information Divide Index compiled by the South Korean National Information Society Agency were analyzed. The sample included both PwD and non-disabled populations. The disabled group was further divided by type of disability. We identified the domains that defined competence and Internet use/behavior. Access rates for both PCs and smart devices were also analyzed. Competence and Internet use/behavior varied among PwD. The results showed that the use of smart devices aggravates the information divide among PwD, and its effect varies by type of disability. When controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, lower-limb physical disabilities did not negatively affect competency or Internet use/behavior. These findings have implications for further research as well as policy and practice. Strategies to reduce the information divide for PwD should be responsive to the type of disability and environment of PwD.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Department of Secondary Special Education, College of Education, Jeonju University, 303 Cheonjam-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonbuk, 55069, South Korea

    Eun-Young Park

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Park, EY. Digital competence and internet use/behavior of persons with disabilities in PC and smart device use. Univ Access Inf Soc 21, 477–489 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-020-00782-z

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