Ditte Lystbæk Andreasen
Anne Marie Kanstrup
ABSTRACT
In this study, we explore how young people living with cognitive disabilities use digital technology to develop and maintain social relations. The analysis is based on video interviews with 25 participants, aged 14--27. Our findings present a comprehensive use of a wide range of consumer applications for multiple forms of social interactions among the young people. Against this background, we outline three overall experiences with social interaction via and around digital technology, involving 1) individual social relations, 2) interest-based groups and 3) national and global networks. Our findings draw attention to the participants' social needs and show how they find ways to fulfil these needs via and around digital technology. These insights complement dominating perspectives on disability and assistive technology and suggest future research focusing on how to advance insights and practices in using digital technology to develop and maintain social relations among youth with cognitive disabilities1.
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Index Terms
- Digital Relations among Youth with Cognitive Disabilities: A field study of technology use for developing and maintaining social relations
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