Publisher's Synopsis
Whilst the internet potentially opens up considerable opportunities for disabled people, factors such as cost, lack of advice and information and web inaccessibility could mean that it is less available for disabled than non-disabled people and will increase the disadvantages that disabled people currently suffer. Based on a survey of disabled people's views, together with a review of existing literature, this report focuses on the social implications of internet provision of goods and services. It considers the impact of internet services on existing, non-digital services and assesses current governmental initiative to increase the amount of services and shopping that will be on-line. The authors argue that the 'digital divide' will exclude disabled people from access to information and services and call for improved publicity about the services and support available. They also emphasise the importance of ensuring that the modernisation of services does not override the need to provide services to all citizens, regardless of their ability to be able to access information on-line.
