Course:LIBR559A/Marchlewska, A., Goetzen, P., & Marchlewska, A. (2014)

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Citation

Marchlewska, A., Goetzen, P., & Marchlewska, A. (2014). The Role of Information Technology for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied Computer Science Methods,6(1). doi:10.2478/jacsm-2014-0006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss the various role ICT can have in the lives of those living with a disability. The article stresses the importance of programs and a strong base knowledge in the use of ICT so that one with a disability can take full advantage of more advanced ICT and application which could improve their education, job prospects etc.

Main Arguments

Computers and the internet are now part of everyday life which provides links to work, school, entertainment, information, and can help people stay socially connected yet those with mental disabilities are often limited from the use of these tools. The author argues that the use of these two tools can be greatly beneficial to those with mental disabilities.

  • Using computers with mentally disabled children allows for better education as it: allows children to see and learn about the world, enhances their cognitive motivation and emotional connection, and creates another pathway for communication when a child has difficulty connecting with other people.
  • Having basic skills in the use of ICT will greatly improve their ability t find jobs as well at the job prospects for those with mental disabilities as most jobs now requires some use of technology.
  • They allow for access to learning tools to upgrade work skills and qualifications that may not be readily accessible to them physically.
  • They help those who feel discriminated against due to their mental illness find support and connect with others particularly in societies where there is still a strong stigma against those with mental disabilities.

Method

This is a thought piece which uses recent studies to support their arguments.

Pitfalls, blind spots, and weaknesses of this article

The article focuses almost entirely on the positive aspects of ICT in the lives of people with disabilities. The authors only mention the possible risks or dangers to the use of ICT. One of largest weaknesses of this article is it lack of definitions or explanation for key terms such as mental disability, intellectual disability and mental illness all of which the article uses interchangeably. The use of these terms interchangeably confuses the reader making it difficult to determine who is included in this group of people they are discussing and what problems ICT can help to alleviate.


Potential Contributions

Reading this paper from a North American perspective it is a good reminder that not all society is as progressive in the inclusion of people with mental illnesses into society. It also helps to remind information professional that there is always work to be done to improve and make more inclusive the services we provide to our clients. This paper also helps to illustrate the areas of everyday life with ICT can have a significant impact on when they are not accessible or well suited for use by those with intellectual disabilities.


Page Author: Pauline Richer