January 1999

Our Readers Are Asked To Respond: Survey On Internet Use

Very little is known beyond basic conjecture, concerning the manner and extent to which online services enhances the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the patterns of internet utilization by persons with disabilities and to determine the degree in which internet engagement is associated with positive outcomes within the lives of the disabled. We are particularly interested in the persons with disabilities usage of computer based communications including email, listserves, chat rooms, and online support groups.

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this short survey on online communication and persons with disabilities. This survey is available in several accessible formats. It can be sent in braille, large print, as a text file or read aloud. If you want the survey to be read over the telephone or in person, contact:

Jenny Clark Center for Adaptive Technology Education (CATE) Department of Special Education
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-3300
email: jenc@online.emich.edu
or
Dr. Al Bellamy
Department of Interdisciplinary Technology Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1161
email: alphonso@ameritech.net

SURVEY ON INTERNET UTILIZATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

INSTRUCTIONS
Please respond to each of the items on this questionnaire. Please do not attach your name to the survey. Your identity will remain completely anonymous. All information that is collected from you will be confidential. Participation is voluntary and you can end the survey at any time. Thank you very much for participating in this survey.

1. Gender:
___ Male
___ Female

2. Age:___

3. Ethnicity:
___ White
___ Hispanic
___ Black
___ Asian
___ Native American
___ Arab

4. Are you employed?
___ Yes
___ No

5. Full-time___ Part-time___

6. What type(s) of disabilities do you have? (Please check all that apply)
___ Blind/Visually Impaired
___ Traumatic Brain Injury
___ Hearing Impaired
___ Speech and/or Language Impairment
___ Health Impairment
___ Physical Impairment
___ Learning Disability
___ Deaf
___ Other (Please specify)

7. What aspects of the Internet do you use? (Check all that apply)
___ E-mail
___ Discussion groups
___ Online interactive games.
___ Chat rooms
___ Listserves
___ Newsgroups
___ Bulleting boards

8. On the average, how many hours do you spend on the Internet each week? ___Hours

9. How long have you used the Internet?___

10. Why do you use the Internet? (Check all that apply)
___ To make friends
___ I can do things that I could not normally do.
___ It gives me something to do
___ To get rid of boredom
___ Greater availability of online information
___ Its more accessible or easier to use than the telephone

11. What do you use the Internet for? (Check all that apply)
___ Locatingupcoming events in the community
___ Locating disability agencies
___ Researching information
___ Communicating with disability agencies
___ Researching medical information
___ Reading online newspapers/magazines
___ To obtain advice or information
___ To submit documents
___ News or radio channels
___ To socialize with others
___ Entertainment

12. Do you use any adaptive equipment or software?
___ Yes
___ No

13. Which types of adaptive hardware or software do you use?
(Check all that apply)
___ voice synthesizer or talking programs
___ large print software
___ Braille printers or other Braille devices
___ voice recognition
___ trackball
___ one-handed software
___ mouthstick
___ single switch access
___ sound indication software
___ mouse keys
___ expanded or micro keyboard
___ do not require special software or hardware
___ would be interested in trying out other adaptations to the computer

14. What prevents you from accessing the Internet and CMC more often?(Check all that apply)
___ Lack of time
___ Not acquainted with computers___ The Internet seems confusing to me
___ Fear of doing something wrong
___ It seems like it would take a lot of time to learn how to use some of the programs on the Internet
___ My computer is too old
___ My modem is too old
___ Some pages don't work with my adaptive equipment
___ I'm a little fearful of online crime
___ I heard that strange things happen on the Internet, etc.
___ No desire to be on the Internet
___ I've heard that people can find out too much personal information about another person

15. Have you ever taken an online course or workshop?
___ Yes
___ No

16. Would you be interested in taking online courses for college credit?
___ Yes
___ No

17. Would you be interested in taking non-credit online courses or
workshops?
___ Yes
___ No

18. What features of online courses would appeal to you?
(Check all that apply)
___ No need to travel to class
___ Ability to interact with students and instructors
___ Can take class from home or office
___ an log on to class at any time
___ I can be anonymous

19. What would be the greatest advantage to your participation in an online support group?
___ No need to travel to meeting
___ More relaxed discussing some issues online
___ I am able to receive moreinformation
___ Support group is more accessible online
___ I can be anonymous

20. What would be the greatest disadvantage to your participation in an online support group?
___ Cannot meet face-to-face
___ Fear of online harassment
___ May not meet consistently
___ Might not focus on my specific condition
___ Have to use a computer to access the group

21. How comfortable are you in using a computer?
___ Very comfortable
___ Comfortable
___ Somewhat comfortable
___ Uncomfortable
___ Very Uncomfortable

Please rate the following from items from very often to never

22. Do you ever disguise your disability online?
___ Very often
___ Often
___ Sometimes
___ Seldom
___ Never

23. Do you participate in any online support groups?
___ Very Often
___ Often
___ Sometimes
___ Seldom
___ Never

24. Do you participate in disability related chat rooms?
___ Very often
___ Often
___ Sometimes
___ Seldom
___ Never

25. Do you visit disability oriented web sites?
___ Very often
___ Often
___ Sometimes
___ Seldom
___ Never

26. Relationships that I form on the Internet are important to me.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

27. It is easier for me to form relationships on the Internet than in
face-to-face situations.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

28. It is easier for me to reveal personal issues with people online
than with friends and relatives.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

29. People that I meet online are more accepting of me as a person than people that I meet offline.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

30. If I had a problem, I would seek help from an online support group or friends that I have met online.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

31. Using the Internet has made me feel more confident about myself.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

32.Using the Internet has given me a different perspective about my disability.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

33. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

34. I feel that I have a number of good qualities
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

35. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

36. I feel that I have much to be proud of.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

37. I feel that I'm a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with
others.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

38. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

39. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a success.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

40. I take a positive attitude toward myself.
___ Strongly Agree
___ Agree
___ Neither Agree Nor Disagree
___ Disagree
___ Strongly Disagree

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