Identifying the experiences, challenges and opportunities along pathways for community-based digital skill development for young people with disabilities in Canada: a community-based research study.

INTRODUCTION

Young people with disabilities are disadvantaged in learning and developing the skills they need to gain successful and sustained employment in Canada. This includes the development of digital skills, which are increasingly essential to participate in many aspects of society. The purpose of this study was to explore how young people with disabilities develop their digital skills outside of school.

METHODS

Using a community-based research approach the study specifically aimed to: 1) identify the challenges and opportunities in current community-based digital skill development pathways in Canada; and 2) develop recommendations to improve these pathways. In consultation with community members, we conducted a world café and focus group, which then informed persona development, journey mapping, and recommendation ideation exercises. A total of 22 participants were included in the study.

RESULTS

Our study developed seven pathways that captured the diverse experiences and complex ways young people with disabilities attain digital skills in Canada. The pathways revealed that many young people seeking to improve their digital skills need to start with information seeking, balance growth while managing their disability, continually take initiative, maintain self-motivation and self-advocacy, and cope with emotional stress. We also found that cost, inaccessible programs and technology, rapid technological change, fragmented systems, andwork place inequity are ongoing challenges to digital skill development, while community support and free online resources create key opportunities for young people.

DISCUSSION: Through community consultation, we concluded that accessible and inclusive community-based digital skill development pathways require systemic change in Canada, led by the federal government, supported by collaboration across systems and organizations, and anchored in the lived experiences of young people with disabilities.