The internet's accessibility is certainly one reason it's become such a vital tool for so many people. Being connected to potentially the whole world is deeply attractive to anyone seeking new relationships. As Antonietta reminds us, we need balance and some precautions that aren't always obvious. Roberta Speziale and Daniela Cannistraci from ANFFAS tell us about a project on autonomy and safety, designed with people with intellectual disabilities to make web browsing more conscious and aware.
SafeSurfing is a project promoted by Inclusion Europe, an association of people with intellectual disabilities across Europe to which Anffas Onlus belongs. Four European organizations collaborated on it—from Italy, Spain, England, and Poland (Anffas Onlus, Plena Inclusion, Mencap, and PSOUU respectively)—with the goal of training people with intellectual disabilities about data protection on the web.
The first phase happened online. Through the social media profiles of the participating organizations, five questions were posted about how people with intellectual disabilities use the web. The aim was to understand the main risks and which areas needed attention. The questions were the same for all organizations, though naturally translated into different languages.
Each organization then created its own video—all featuring people with intellectual disabilities—on a different topic related to the responses they'd received on social media. The five video themes were:
- How to use the internet safely
- Things you need to know about the internet
- Mobile devices: opportunities and dangers
- Protecting yourself on Facebook
- What information should you share online?
Anffas specifically made a video about using mobile phones, tablets, and smartphones consciously—covering everything from buying devices to using apps like Instagram wisely, and sharing your location or phone number responsibly.
The organizations then held interactive online seminars (webinars) on the topics covered in the videos. More than 1,000 people participated: people with intellectual disabilities, staff, and family members.
Can you describe what a typical webinar was like?
Before each seminar, trainers sent registered participants materials describing the topic, how the webinar would work, how to access the online platform, the video link, and some questions to check their understanding of the material. During the webinar, participants could ask questions live. Afterward, everyone received slides from the course and a summary of what was covered.
Now that the seminars have ended, what's your assessment?
Excellent. We had very positive feedback from everyone who took part. Many changed their social media habits—they became much more careful about sharing personal information and images. Many didn't realize that once you post a photo on Facebook or put it online, it stays on the internet forever. We also raised awareness among people close to those with intellectual disabilities about how they use the web, about dangers like cyberbullying, and about online risks in general. So many people who didn't attend the webinars asked us for the materials anyway.
Do you think they'll be offered again? Do you sense they could keep being useful?
The project is finished now, and we don't know if Inclusion Europe plans a second edition with organizations from other European countries. But the videos are always available on our website—www.anffas.net—and on our YouTube channel—https://www.youtube.com/user/AnffasOnlus—and they're always relevant and always useful. The web is now part of our lives. It's essential to know how to use it well, understanding that while it offers endless knowledge and information, it's also a source of danger, uncertainty, and unwanted contact.
Were there criteria for choosing participants? Where did they come from?
There were no selection criteria. We sent a notice to our local chapters inviting interested people to register, and participants came from all over Italy: Friuli, Sicily, Campania, Liguria, and elsewhere.
How many people participated?
Over 1,000 people took part in the webinars.
About a year ago, an article in the Corriere quoted one of our colleagues: "Some young people told us they'd experienced bullying and discrimination because of their disability, so we decided to start initiatives to build their self-esteem and help them belong to a group," explained Simona Pennacchia, a child neuropsychiatrist at Anffas Ostia. "We started with things that seem simple but matter to teenagers—choosing the right clothes, matching colors, makeup. Then we moved into emotional and relational aspects: how to value real friendships, how to live your emotions and sexuality, how to adapt to a changing body. And practical skills like using public transportation and understanding money. All of these," Pennacchia concluded, "can help build autonomy and inclusion in the community."
Are these initiatives different from the SafeSurfing project? We notice among people we know there's a real need to address these topics, especially starting from personal internet use. Will there be a chance to explore them further?
Everything Anffas does aims to protect people with disabilities in every area of life, including with new technologies. At the same time, our goal is to promote independence, autonomy, and self-advocacy—all crucial for the future of people with disabilities, and especially those with intellectual disabilities. Self-advocacy means people with intellectual disabilities speak for themselves, explaining their own problems, their own needs, and the solutions that respect their rights as Italian citizens.
Anffas is working hard to advance self-advocacy. Thanks to our recent project "Io, Cittadino!" (I, Citizen!), we created "Io cittadino! Italian Self-Advocates Platform in Motion"—the first movement of Italian self-advocates. It has been received by President Mattarella and is part of EPSA, the European Platform of Self-Advocates.
Through this platform, we can bring real issues affecting people with intellectual and relational disabilities to the attention of the public, institutions, stakeholders, families, and professionals. These issues span more areas than we might think.
Roberta Speziale (psychologist, head of advocacy, institutional relations, and communications at Anffas Onlus) and Daniela Cannistraci (advocacy, institutional relations, and communications at Anffas Onlus), 2017