DIGITAL INCLUSION IN WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES. ADVANTAGES AND BARRIERS OF ICTS FOR THIS SOCIAL GROUP

In this paper we intend to analyse the role that new technologies occupy in the life of women with disabilities, detecting the advantages and possible barriers that can derive from them for this social group. ICTs have revolutionized the way we understand the world and manage it, changing behaviours and patterns of interaction and allowing us to overcome the barriers of space and time. Because of this, it is assumed that ICTs are tools that allow access to various areas of society (in terms of full citizenship) to any person, including those who, because they have a disability, are subject to certain limitations that prevent their full incorporation into some social areas (education, social relations, and work environments). However, women with disabilities have certain peculiarities that make ICTs can become tools for their full inclusion in society, but also contribute to generate barriers that prevent them from accessing their rights as citizens and exclude them from their use, fostering their isolation, with serious repercussions on other aspects of their lives. For this, we analyse the situation of women with disabilities and their access to new technologies, through the study of existing statistics, and through a qualitative analysis in which 75 in-depth interviews were conducted with women with disabilities and experts in the topic. The study of the relationship that exists between women with disabilities and ICT allows us to implement measures that promote inclusive education. This is the first step to guarantee inclusive Citizenship for these women.