Future Proofing Disability Supports: A Practical Approach
Virtual services have become an increasingly important component of the suite of supports available to disabled people and people with chronic health conditions. While they are not a replacement for in-person services, they offer genuine advantages to be considered alongside them, as an integrated part of giving people choice in how to engage with services. Understanding these benefits helps us make informed decisions about how digital options can support the integration of disabled people into mainstream living, on par with everyone else.
Removing Geographical Barriers
One of the most practical benefits of virtual services is their ability to bypass geographical boundaries. For people living in rural areas or those who face mobility challenges, accessing support no longer requires lengthy journeys or complex travel arrangements. This means some individuals can receive services from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating both the physical and financial costs associated with travel. This isn't about replacing face-to-face contact entirely, but rather providing an additional option that works better for certain circumstances and individuals. Fatigue, anxiety, immune suppression, chronic conditions and mental health issues can fluctuate, making regular attendance at a fixed location unpredictable, or they can make travel itself the most time consuming and tiring part of the day. A virtual option means a difficult week need not become a missed week.
Connection and Wellbeing
Research indicates that virtual services can contribute to a sense of being better connected to other people, which has positive effects on overall wellbeing. In a world where social inclusion is a significant concern for many disabled people, digital connections offer another way to maintain social ties and access support networks. These connections, while different from in-person interactions, can be meaningful and valuable in their own right.
Digital Literacy and Social Inclusion
Virtual services provide a pathway to developing digital literacy, a skill that is becoming increasingly essential for full participation in society. Digital inclusion and social inclusion are mutually reinforcing: as people become more digitally capable, they gain access to more opportunities and connections.
In Ireland and other highly digitalised countries, essential services including banking, healthcare, education, and government supports are increasingly moving online. This shift means that those without digital access face growing barriers to full participation in society. Disabled people are at particular risk of being further marginalised as more of daily life requires digital engagement.
Social inequality drives digital exclusion. People experiencing poverty, older adults, those with disabilities, and people in rural areas are disproportionately likely to lack internet access, appropriate devices, or digital skills. This creates a reinforcing cycle: social exclusion leads to digital exclusion, which deepens social exclusion by cutting people off from services, opportunities, and connections. Someone unable to access online services or employment opportunities faces compounding disadvantages that entrench marginalisation.
Achieving genuine social inclusion requires ensuring everyone has meaningful digital access, not just infrastructure, but also skills, support, and information, including digital access to disability support services.
Resilience Against Future Disruptions
Virtual services offer protection against various forms of disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated both the necessity and challenges of remote service delivery, particularly for disabled people who faced disadvantages due to structural and historical health inequalities. The risk of future pandemics remains a global concern.
Climate change is already affecting Ireland through unpredictable weather patterns: we are experiencing increased storms and wetter weather that disrupts electricity supply and makes travel impossible for extended periods. Extremely hot weather also poses risks. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the ability to access services remotely becomes increasingly important.
Economic Considerations
Virtual services can offer some protection against rising living costs. Travel expenses, whether for petrol or public transport, continue to increase. For individuals and families already managing tight budgets, reducing the need for travel to access services represents genuine financial relief.
From a service delivery perspective, virtual options support efficiency in staff resources, which is particularly relevant for organisations experiencing funding shortfalls. This doesn't mean reducing service quality, but rather using resources strategically to reach more people effectively.
A Balanced Approach
Virtual services are not a panacea, nor should they be the only option available. However, they represent a practical tool for improving access, building resilience, and promoting inclusion. The key is ensuring they complement rather than replace in-person supports, offering choice and flexibility to meet diverse needs and circumstances. For further information see here.
Joan's Ph.D focused on the development of virtual disability services. She is a Strategic Learning Partner with the ConnectAbility project run by Enable Ireland and funded by the HSE.
