Bridging the Digital Divide: Enhancing Digital Inclusion of Blind or Partially Sighted and Deaf or Hard of Hearing Individuals in Low and Middle Income Countries through Smartphones as Assistive Technology

In this study, we developed a two-day scaffolded digital skills training intervention for mobile literacy for people who are blind or partially sighted (BPS) and deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) across three research settings: Brazil, India, and Kenya. Using an adapted Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ) administered at pre- and post-intervention, we measured the impact of the digital skills training intervention on the perceived proficiency in smartphone use. We recruited 395 participants (BPS= 208, DHH=187), who undertook the two-day training and used the smartphone as assistive technology (AT) for six months. Through post-intervention interviews, we explored the participants’ experience of the training and of using the smartphone as an AT. Our findings reveal a significant impact of digital skill training on participants’ digital literacy and self-efficacy in using smartphones as AT in everyday settings. We also discuss the need for adaptive, ability-based design approaches to improve the learning experience and digital literacy of BPS or DHH individuals in low- and middle-income countries.