2023 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 165-175
Medical and residential institutions for persons with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) restricted face-to-face visitations owing to the abrupt outbreak of COVID-19. They launched online visitation as an alternative. This study investigated the perceptions of online visitations among the families of persons with SMID. A questionnaire survey was administered to each family of an institution for persons with SMID. Overall, 33 and 109 respondents used and did not use online visitations, respectively. Most users had some information and communication technology (ICT) devices, such as a smartphone, and were able to operate these devices on their own. The schedule of online visitation seemed acceptable. Most users had a positive impression of online visitation. Some, however, pointed out a limitation of online visitation in that it allows only audio-visual communication, and no physical contact. A considerable number of non-users either did not have any or could not operate their own ICT devices (approximately 60％). Another issue was the prevalence of profound communication disabilities in some of the persons with SMID. The results suggest that greater support from institutions and gaining more experience are vital for promoting online visitation.
