An Exploration of How People with Intellectual Disability Engage with Online Information Retrieval

Much of the research on how technology can support better access to online information for people with intellectual disability focuses on a deficit model. Studies are typically based on a quantitative analysis of how various aspects of cognitive functioning might impact the usability of existing technologies. In this paper, we instead present new insights into what competencies and strategies young adults with intellectual disability, who are often digital natives, are already employing to meet their online information needs. In-depth observations of 12 people using one of two search technologies (web search or video search) were analyzed together with other field notes. Beyond the importance of visuals and usability, we unpack a different view on efficiency, and on the role played by emotional barriers, confidence and social support in the use of search results ranking lists.