Online Privacy and Safety (OPS)
Project Description:
Over the last three decades, the Internet has become an integral feature of everyday life. However, despite its positive effects on social connection, the Internet also poses new threats to users' physical and financial safety and personal information. Marginalized or under/unserved groups, particularly individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), are more likely to experience the adverse effects of Internet use. The safety threats often lead caregivers of individuals with I/DD to restrict their Internet access, depriving them of the benefits of social media in mitigating social isolation and limited information access. Non-native English speakers with I/DD face additional challenges when utilizing online technologies.
Despite these safety concerns, research supports the idea that individuals with I/DD can benefit greatly from Internet use and that Internet safety trainings can be effective in rendering them less vulnerable to online threats. The goal of the Institute for Human Development's Online Privacy and Safety (IHD-OPS) project is: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will safely access and navigate the Internet. Its purpose is to ensure that individuals with I/DD experience the benefits of Internet use while equipping them with strategies for safely accessing online environments. During the life of the proposed project, the team will develop new materials, refine existing materials (with permission from their creators), and ultimately produce a comprehensive training curriculum that can be used for in-person training as well as independent learning.
In support of this goal, the project's objectives over the next year include the following:
Develop the training curriculum needed to provide online safety and privacy training to individuals with I/DD and their parents and caregivers.
Facilitate the first training session and collect evaluation feedback.
Enhance training curriculum through the Deming Model of Continuous Quality Improvement (DMCQI) reiterative process based upon evaluation feedback.
Conduct training sessions 2 and 3.
Enhance the efficacy of the training sessions by enacting the DMCQI reiterative process.
Execute training sessions 4-7 in diverse communities.
Disseminate information related to the IHD-OPS materials, resources, and insights and provide for sustainability.
Keyword(s):
Developmental Disabilities
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
