ICT and Intellectual Disability: A Survey of Organizational Support at the Municipal Level in Sweden.
BACKGROUND
Young adults today have grown up in a society where information and communication technology (ICT) support empowerment and social participation. Young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability are at risk for marginalization by the digital divide. The aim was to map and describe how municipal organizations in Sweden organize support in terms of policy and strategies to enable the use of ICT in social care for adults with a mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.


METHODS
A quantitative, cross-sectional survey including all municipalities in Sweden (n = 290) was conducted (response rate: 51%, n = 147). Descriptive statistics were used.


RESULTS
Findings indicate a lack of organizational support for staff as well as for young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Municipalities request more knowledge about strategies for making ICT available. Despite the lack of comprehensive strategies for ICT, some Swedish municipalities have taken the initiative in this area.
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås/Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Camilla
C
Ramsten
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås/Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Lena
L
Marmstål Hammar
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås/Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Lene
L
Martin
Department of Educational Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
Kerstin
K
Göransson
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D000073256:Information Technology; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011640:Public Policy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
health and social policy; information and communication technology (ICT); intellectual disability; social care; young adults