Accessibility of social services and ICT-based services for children with disabilities and their families

Abstract

Children with disabilities and their families are often socially isolated. To integrate them into society, it is important to improve their access to services and encourage families to participate in society. It is effective to incorporate information and communication technology in providing information access and care services for children with disabilities and their families. Therefore, this study explores parental satisfaction with and demand for information and communication technology-based care services for children with disabilities. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed method design. A total of 99 parents of children enrolled in two schools for special education or rehabilitation hospital participated in the study. Data were collected from parents through either a questionnaire survey or interviews. The study was conducted from 5 November to 5 December 2018. More than 50% of the participants found it inconvenient to search for services and reported below-average satisfaction because of a lack of information and the results being inappropriate, abstract, difficult to understand, insufficient and scattered. More than 70% of the participants were dissatisfied with the services because of their high cost and the limited frequency of use. Participants expressed a need for information and communication technology-based services to address these issues, including services to help the child's development, with low eligibility requirements and easy access to treatment that can enhance networks and services. Parents had high care burdens and difficulties accessing services for their children, which highlights the need for alternative services.