Digital Lifeline to Digital Life: A follow up study exploring the impact of the Digital Lifeline Fund and the distribution of new digital devices during the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives of people with learning disabilities

Background Despite internet use being recognised as a necessity for participation in society, disabled people, in particular people with learning (intellectual) disabilities are known to face greater challenges to digital participation than non-disabled people. The impact of these challenges came into sharp focus early in the Covid-19 pandemic when the reliance on digital communication rapidly took on a heightened level of importance. As an emergency response, in February 2021, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) initiated the Digital Lifeline Fund which gifted 5,500 people with learning disabilities Lenovo tablets, data, and digital skills support. Digital Lifeline s launch was too late for some organisations who had already taken steps during 2020 to support people with learning disabilities to access digital devices. Aims The central aims of this project are to a) explore what difference rapidly distributed tablets given out during the Covid-19 pandemic have made to the lives of people with learning disabilities and b) explore which packages of support were most effective in supporting people to fully participate in their own digital lives. Methods An online survey (with accessible modes of completion) will be used to follow up 1,000 recipients of Digital Lifeline devices. The survey will replicate and expand on an initial evaluation carried out by the Good Things Foundation (the UKs leading digital inclusion charity). Workshops using participatory qualitative methods will be held to discuss the experiences of people who received devices during the pandemic with the aim of identifying the most effective digital support. Timeline for delivery This is an 18-month project, starting on the 1st October 2024. Anticipated impact and dissemination Recommendations will be co-produced to highlight what needs to be in place to support the digital participation of people with learning disabilities both now and in the future. The research will increase awareness of the importance on ongoing digital support so that digital skills acquired during the pandemic can be built upon. The research team will work towards shifting culture and practice for digital support work in social care organisations.