Social Affordances for People with Lifelong Disability through Using Virtual Worlds

Abstract

In the information age, information and communication technology (ICT) is an asset for supporting people with disability to participate and be included in society. Research indicates that virtual worlds may help this group to gain independence and improve social participation. The aim of the present research was to explore the role that virtual worlds play in facilitating people with disability to experience a self-perceived improvement of social participation, independence and well-being. Using qualitative methods our results indicate that people with lifelong disability perceive that they reach a larger and more diverse network through the use of virtual worlds. Based on identified Quality of Life factors, we found that people with lifelong disability perceived that they obtained increased independence, social participation and well-being. The social affordances offered by virtual worlds are promising for improving these identified factors. This area of research warrants further empirical investigation to understand the implications in a broader social context.