How do community organisations use technology to deliver services to adults with learning disabilities and autism?

Background aims
Community organisations started using technology like video conferencing and social media more during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep doing activities with adults with learning disabilities and autism. They are now trying to figure out the best ways to combine technology and face-to-face activities. We wanted to find out the different ways that these community organisations combine technology and face-to-face activities and what works well.
Methods
We looked at published research about how community organisations use technology to provide services for adults with learning disabilities and autism. We held an event for community organisations and adults with learning disabilities and autism. We talked about what we had found out and heard peoples’ experiences of using technology.
Results
There is lots of research that includes community organisations using technology. Having a choice about whether to use technology is really important. Using technology can make it easier for people with learning disabilities and autism to join in if they have the right equipment, skills, and support. But there is no information about what community organisations need to use technology to delivery services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Conclusion
Supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to use technology can improve their independence and life skills. But there is not a lot of information for community groups to help them do this. We have applied for funding to do more research about this.