When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990, the internet was in its infancy. We could not imagine how technology would change the way we interact with government services, our employer, our doctor, or the way we shop. However, the “information age” comes with structural barriers for people with disabilities. These barriers include inaccessible web sites, a lack of reliable internet connectivity, and high prices for internet service.

A new research brief from the Southeast ADA Center summarizes findings from our research using nationally representative data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Survey. This research brief examines digital access disparities between people with disabilities and people without disabilities. We also describe how the intersection of disability with other identities such as race, gender, or ethnicity impact digital access.

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Key Takeaways

• People with disabilities reported lower rates of internet access when compared to people without disabilities.
• Non-Hispanic Black and American Indian or Alaska Native people with disabilities reported the lowest rates of internet access, highlighting the impact of multiple identities.
• People with disabilities use the internet for fewer work, daily, and health-related activities when compared to people without disabilities.

Citation: Lawson, S., Avila-Acosta, M., Hyseni, F., Whaley, B., Williamson, P., Blanck, P., (2025) Lingering Inequalities in the Information Age: An Examination of Disparities in Internet Access Among People with Disabilities. Burton Blatt Institute Research Brief #3-August 2025.