Brazil Case Study Report

Executive Summary

This study investigated the feasibility and impact of providing smartphones and digital skills training to people with visual and hearing impairments in Brazil, a country where over 84% of the population uses the internet, but a significant digital divide persists for those with disabilities. Recognizing the potential of mobile technology as a powerful assistive tool, this research aimed to understand how individuals with disabilities use  smartphones, the impact on their quality of life, and how they can be best supported in  developing crucial digital literacy. The project focused on bridging this divide, as people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries often face significant barriers to accessing mobile technology that could otherwise enhance their independence,  productivity, and social inclusion. The core objective was to generate evidence to inform the design of future, larger-scale programs that leverage mobile technology for empowerment. 

The study involved 242 participants, evenly divided between Deaf and Hard of Hearing  (DHH) individuals and Blind and Partially Sighted (BPS) individuals. Participants were recruited through strategic partnerships with established and trusted organizations  such as Laramara and CADEVI, which were essential for building trust and facilitating  recruitment. Each participant received a Samsung Galaxy A15 smartphone, a complimentary 10GB monthly mobile data plan, and customized digital skills training 
sessions focused on utilizing free accessibility tools. 

BPS participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in quality of life, mobile phone usage, and digital skills post-training. Many participants expressed a newfound sense of independence, empowerment, and social connection. They could 
perform daily tasks such as banking and shopping without assistance. 

2.1 Report findings: critical gaps in AT access

• 50% participants reported not having access to essential assistive products such as hearing aids.
• The lack of a dedicated hearing aid pairing menu created a major barrier for DHH users.
• Some accessibility features, such as TalkBack and Magnifier, slowed down the phone performance.
• DHH participants consumed mobile Internet data at a much higher rate due to frequent use of WhatsApp video calls compared to BPS participants.

2.2 Recommendations

• Improve the affordability of smartphones for people with disabilities, to increase access to proper hardware that is compatible with accessibility tools.
• Zero-rate accessibility-essential applications such as BeMyEyes, Google Maps,and WhatsApp with mobile Internet data packages.
• Subsidize mobile Internet data packages for people with disabilities; in particular,those with financial need.