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Disabled people's internet wish list revealed
Having a 'virtual medic', an online personal assistant and test-driving an adapted car are just some of the things that disabled people in the UK long to be able to do online, according to research released today. The study* was commissioned by public services supersite www.direct.gov.uk to find out what disabled people want from the future of online services. In a survey of over 2,000 UK adults, specific questions were asked of disabled people or people with a long-term health condition. 58% of this group cited the internet as an invaluable resource in managing their lives. When asked to name the one online service they would most like in future, one in eight said they'd love the ability to create a planner for entire journeys, with accessibility mapped out according to their personal requirements. The figure rose to one in five for those who drive. More than one in 10 disabled people would like to have face-to-face health check-ups online without having to go to their doctor, rising to 15% of 55-64 year olds. In focus group** sessions which looked closer at the issues, a participant agreed: "Sometimes when I am feeling really bad it is just so hard to get to the doctors... it would be really good to be able to have a Skype chat with them instead." Isolation can be a problem for disabled people and the survey found that almost one in 10 want to meet more people with their condition online. Disabled parents feel those networks to be most important; with more than one in five naming this as the online service they would most like in future. A focus group participant summarised: "I don't think that there are enough places where you can go online and chat to other people who share your condition. It is so good to get it out of your system with someone who understands". For people with mobility issues, the internet could be an even more valuable way of staying connected - 14% of 35-44 year olds most want to be able to have face-to-face meetings such as job interviews or benefit claims meetings online. One in five disabled parents said being able to apply for benefits online has made their lives easier, compared with one in 10 without children. For a significant one in six disabled parents, the service they would appreciate most would be a voice service in the form of a virtual 'person' whom they could ask questions and who would provide verbal information in response. Other desired services included a 'virtual PA' to delegate tasks to, attending favourite theatre productions or performances, test driving an adapted car and receiving information about whether specific shops and restaurants comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. A focus group participant went further and suggested: "What about a way to report people who don?t comply with the disability legislation? Like crime stoppers but for discrimination." So what do people think about services that are currently available to disabled people online? The existing service currently available on the internet that is valued the most is being able to find a Blue Badge parking space in major towns and cities, with one in five of those surveyed citing this, rising to a third of 65-70 year olds. This service launched on Directgov in July 2006 and since then 75,008*** people have used it. For a further one in 10, being able to find information on accessibility of public transport is the most important existing service, rising to 16% of busy 25-34s. Almost one in 10 25-44 year olds find sites that specialise in accessible holidays the most useful, 15% of 65-70 year olds most enjoy using existing online forums for disabled people, one in five 45-54s most appreciate property websites where you can check accessibility of homes and 6% of 35-44s find sites that summarise disability rights most invaluable. Jayne Nickalls, Director of Directgov explains the thinking behind this study: "This project helps us understand what information people want and scope out the future of online services. For disabled people, it seems that services which enable active lives - such as route planning by accessibility - alongside those which would allow them to spend their time more efficiently - such as medical and benefits check ups online - would be the most popular." Spencer Kelly of the BBC's flagship technology programme, Click, said: "Making the web accessible to all is something that's very important, and I've seen a lot of innovative devices to help disabled users navigate the web. The net can connect anyone to anyone else, and a lot of the technology which could achieve the results of the survey is already in place. Health consultations over a video link - technologically, this is possible right now. Full audio access to the internet? This is certainly on the horizon." Jayne Nickalls continues: "With 58% of disabled people saying they want more public services in one place online, all of the insights we've gained will be taken into consideration as we plan for the future of Directgov. We already have a wide range of services aimed specifically at disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Our disabled people and carers sections include advice on living independently, employment, financial support and disability rights". www.direct.gov.uk
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