3403 - TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE IN ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQIA+

Session: 3268 - THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AND DISABILITY: CROSS-CULTURAL AND CROSS-GENERATIONAL INSIGHTS
AUTHORS:
Dubois Mégan (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Rigoulat Célia (École Universitaire de Recherche (EUR) Healthy, Université Côte d'Azur ~ Nice ~ France) , Martino Alan (Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Yule Ashleigh (Ashleigh Yule Child Psychology, Athabasca University ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Neumann-Mascis Andreas (The Meeting Point ~ Boston ~ United States of America) , Caamano Carlota (Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM) - Innovation, Technology, and Cognition (INTECOG) Laboratory ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Pelletier Pénelope (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Chourot-Ferland Samuel (Faculté de science politique et de droit, Université du Québec à Montreal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Hong-Kim Annette (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Turk Céline (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Moreno Alexander (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada)
Abstract text:
Introduction:
While technology use has been studied among LGBTQIA+ adults and among people with disabilities, research rarely addresses the experiences of those at the intersection of these identities. Existing literature on LGBTQIA+ populations primarily highlights the role of technology in facilitating communication, fostering online communities, and providing social support. Research focused on people with disabilities, meanwhile, tends to concentrate on assistive technologies and accessibility challenges. This leaves a significant gap in understanding how technology is used and experienced by disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+, as a space for identity expression, community-building, and empowerment.


Purpose:
To explore the technology experience of adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+ in the province of Quebec, Canada.


Method:
Fourteen adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+ residing in the province of Quebec, Canada. Participants reported receiving between one and four disability diagnoses. Participants completed the 36-item self-report questionnaire Technology Experience Profile, a standardized measure designed to assess frequency of use across a wide range of common technologies within the last 12 months.


Results:
Descriptive analysis revealed that participants reported the lowest levels of technology use in the domains of transportation technology (M = 3.5; SD = 0.6) and health technology (M = 3.0; SD = 0.7). In contrast, the highest levels of use were observed in computer technology (M = 4.5; SD = 0.2), followed by communication technology (M = 4.3; SD = 0.5). According to TEP criteria, all participants were classified in the highest category of technology experience, corresponding to expert-level skill.


Conclusion:
These preliminary findings suggest that computer and communication technologies are a useful tool to promote social participation in adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+. However, lower reliance on health and transportation technologies underscores the need for future research and inclusive technology design that address broader aspects of daily living—not just specialized or assistive tools.