The information society that is at our fingertips represents a huge, untapped resource for people with learning disabilities. Karen McKenzie investigates how much is being done to promote their inclusion in this community

The information technology society surrounds us whether or not we choose to, or are able to, use it. We use the internet for shopping, communicating, recreation, entertainment and education (NTIA 2002). Research in the United States suggests that the vast majority of children now go online and that a high proportion of people believe internet access is useful for education (Lenhart et al 2001). Unfortunately, not all groups in society have equal access to the world wide web and there has been a great deal of research looking at what has been called the ‘digital divide’.