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2007 PhD Thesis Final Revised.pdf - Curtin University

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were blind and people who were vision impaired did not present any significant<br />

differences. This may have suggested that regardless of vision level, the consistency<br />

of vision allowed for a greater opportunity in understanding the Internet.<br />

In relation to education levels, there was a slight trend in the amount of<br />

education and an increased knowledge and use of computing and the Internet.<br />

Count<br />

Ability to Understand<br />

and Use a Computer<br />

and the Internet<br />

Total<br />

Ability to Understand and Use a Computer and the Internet * Education - Current Crosstabulation<br />

None<br />

Poor<br />

Fair<br />

Good<br />

Expert<br />

Education - Current<br />

TAFE <strong>University</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

Secondary Diploma Undergrad Postgrad Other Not Studying Total<br />

0 0 0 0 0 36 36<br />

0 1 0 0 1 42 44<br />

1 3 2 3 13 81 103<br />

3 8 8 4 14 101 138<br />

1 4 5 4 3 22 39<br />

5 16 15 11 31 282 360<br />

Figure 8.7 Table of current education and IT expertise for respondents<br />

Although there were proportionately similar results for those with education<br />

through secondary and TAFE levels, very few at university undergraduate level have<br />

no IT expertise and none of those at postgraduate level had no IT expertise. In<br />

addition, there was a highly significant result regarding those who were currently<br />

studying. As indicated by Figure 8.7, no one who was currently participating in<br />

secondary, tertiary or a different type of course claimed to have no IT expertise. Out<br />

of all those sampled, aside from one respondent, everyone who was currently<br />

undertaking a course, regardless of the type of course, had a fair or better level of IT<br />

expertise. This result suggested that, given current dependence on computing and<br />

the Internet for education, simply undertaking a course, whether it is or is not<br />

computer-specific, would improve the ability of a blind or vision impaired individual<br />

to access computing and Internet-related technologies. Other personal factors such<br />

as living arrangements and income levels, did not appear to be significant in relation<br />

to the level of IT expertise amongst respondents.<br />

In relation to the use of Assistive Technology, the data indicates that in order<br />

to effectively use AT, a high level of IT expertise is required.<br />

217

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