The Role of the Internet in D/deaf People’s Inclusion in the Information Society Gill Valentine – University of Leeds Tracey Skelton – Loughborough University Philippa Levy – University of Sheffield Takao Maruyama – University of Leeds

Project Aim To examine the use of ICTs resources by D/deaf people. To evaluate the consequences that the Internet has for D/deaf people. To identify appropriate information policies & services for D/deaf people’s use of the internet. Aim: Explore the impact of the Internet on D/deaf people’s information practices, and on their social inclusion/exclusion in the information society.

Methods Questionnaire (online and printed out) 421 questionnaires Interview 42 semi-structured interviews 307 Internet users 114 non-users 26 Internet users 16 non-users

Patterns of Net use

How often do you use the Internet? (%) (n=302)

Active users? Non-active users? Active Users are more likely to be… Non-Active Users are more likely to be… Younger vs. Older Home Internet users vs. Non-home users Broadband users vs. Broadband non-users Employed vs. Unemployed With A-levels vs. Without A-levels Non-regular members of DCs vs. Regular members of DCs Use spoken English as a preferred language vs. Not use spoken English as a preferred language “Deaf” users vs. “Non-Deaf” users

“The Internet is important for me for…” (%) Users (n=298)

I can chat to all my friends, we can all chat at the same time if we want to, which is brilliant because we’re hard of hearing, and we will struggle on the phone, but on the Internet three or four of us talking at the same time… well, it’s just like being in a group of girls on a night out, except I can hear what they’re saying (Samantha)

“If you think about it the aim of the Internet, , chat rooms, are based on communication and passing information, and for Deaf people they can communicate using web cams – it is so easy to do that with MSN chat as well – it is really important for Deaf people and I think that the Internet achieves its aim in that way” ( Derrick )

What encourages ( ) or limits ( ) Internet use? What would make it easier for you to use the Internet? (%) Users =297 & Non-users =

“There’s a lot of information in the written English language now and I feel that we need more in BSL, more clips in BSL, for example you can have the written language, the text and then a hand sign and if you could click on that it would bring up the information in sign language which D/deaf people could access a lot easier…also a lot of web sites need to be kept up to date” ( Jennifer ) Source: ITV SignPost

“Better web cam!… There is one thing I have always wanted. Blind people have a thing which turns text into a voice. I want D/deaf people to have the text turned into sign for every website, I think that would be nice”. (Samuel)

I don't use the Internet because…(%) (n=108)

INT: “why do some D/deaf people not connect with the Internet?” “Fear, I think. There are lots of rumours on the Internet about on-line fraud, also a lot of deaf people don’t know about computer viruses. They are scared because they don’t know what they are. They don’t know what to do and they don’t go online because of that, so it’s mainly fear” (Samuel).

“In some sites the English is kind of really high level, so if it’s the government websites or stuff like that then the English can be quite complex. And if it’s that then I kind of just ignore it and don’t bother to read it” (Matthew).

Consequences of Net use Perceived consequences I (%) Users (n=298) & Non-users (n=112)

“[The Internet] makes the Deaf community more confident. It means they’re more equal to hearing people, they get access to the same information, access to jobs and sport, things like that. So it’s definitely been a big improvement for the Deaf community” (Adam).

“I suppose before ing or text messaging I would go to the Deaf Club to see my friends where now if I have something to say to them or ask them, you know to go somewhere, then I can either do it by or text messaging so I really, yeah so I don’t go to Deaf Club as often as I used to, because of you know, you know technology now I suppose you’d call it” (Joan).

The ways that D/deaf people communicate with hearing people FTF SMS Tel FTF SMS Tel UsersNon-users

Perceived Consequences II (%) Users (n=298)

Implications The majority of D/deaf people access the Internet at home -Make other public places more accessible for D/deaf people to increase their access to ICTs (e.g. DCs, public libraries) The majority of D/deaf people learn to use the Internet by themselves –Tutorial materials available in BSL online/offline High levels of “technophobia” & few D/deaf people learn to use the Internet at DCs/DSs –Financial support available for DCs to organise IT training to ensure a clear understanding of pros and cons of the internet / how to avoid any risk online to encourage non-users to see the advantages of using the Internet and so prevent digital divide within Deaf community

Potential risk – DCs become less important to D/deaf people as they communicate online –DCs need to make use of technologies to attract young people ICT enables D/deaf & hearing people to communicate more effectively –Hearing service providers need to be aware of providing as a means of communication for potential D/deaf customers/clients High use of the Internet for information about D/deaf & mainstream topics -Because of the high standard of English online, more websites need to introduce BSL video clips High prices of ICT equipment and Internet connections -Need for governmental subsidies/allowances for these costs