Many people are lonely and isolated because of COVID-19 but people with intellectual disability have fewer options for social connection, partly because accessing and using the internet remains a large obstacle.

While many people socialise via social media and online platforms many people with intellectual disability cannot do so.  One reason is poverty. People with this disability continue to experience high levels of poverty, which affects their ability to pay for the internet or the technology to use it.

Many people with intellectual disability also need one-to-one help to learn to work on devices, such as laptops, smart phones, to navigate diverse social media and online platforms. This is particularly difficult in the current COVID-19 context.

Solutions lie with both individuals and governments. Are there people with IT skills who can help in such times, for example? IT workers with time to spare partner could partner with organisations such as Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) or Self Advocacy Sydney, organisations which are active in social spaces such as Facebook, and continue to support people with intellectual disability? They can match

Governments also have a role to play in assisting those in financially difficulty to access the internet and related technology. The internet could be covered by the NDIS, for example.

But in the meantime perhaps the solution lies with those who do have both access and knowledge.

We are seeing many examples of human kindness and ingenuity during these times. Can we find a solution that could work not just for people with intellectual disability but for anyone who struggles with technology and is experiencing one of the worst side-effects of Covid-19? Loneliness.

PLAIN LANGUAGE VERSION

Many people are lonely because of COVID-19.

People with intellectual disability have less choices for social connection because of access in using the internet remains as a large problem.

The IT business would be helpful in having a role to play here.

While many people mix with other people via social media and online places, people with intellectual disability cannot do. This can be because they:

1. experience high levels of poverty;
2. cannot pay for using technology, e.g., internet;
3. need one on one support to learn and use laptops and smart phones.

Answers lie with both individuals and Governments.

Are there people with IT skills who can help to support people with intellectual disability using Facebook / internet in such times? They could support services like:

• Self Advocacy Sydney Inc (SAS)
• Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS).

Services and Governments have a role to play in supporting access to internet.

But for now maybe answers lies with those who do have access and knowledge.

Can we find an answer that could work for anyone who has issues with technology?

Iva Strnadová and Julie Loblinkz are research partners and friends. They host the blog Disability and Me. Both are strong advocates for people with intellectual disability.