Are real-time volunteer apps really helping visually impaired people? A social justice perspective

Abstract

While digital technologies have undoubtedly enhanced the quality of life for individuals with visual impairment, their influence on social justice remains underexplored. Drawing upon intergroup contact theory, this study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both surveys and interviews, to examine the impact of real-time volunteer apps on social justice from the perspectives of both visually impaired people (VIP) and non-impaired people (NIP). Our results reveal unintended adverse effects associated with the use of real-time volunteer apps. Despite enhancing perceived social connection, these apps paradoxically increase VIP's prejudice vulnerability, which is potentially attributed to the social contrast effect. Meanwhile, app usage increases NIP's stereotyping and reduces their social acceptance of VIP groups, as these apps fail to create equal status contact between NIP and VIP. This research illuminates the complex dynamics of how information technology (IT) affects social justice for VIP and highlights the overlooked downside of IT. It advances our understanding of intergroup contact theory by providing empirical evidence on contact effects when equal status conditions are lacking and serves as a reminder to app designers and developers of the crucial role of social influence in app design, particularly in the development of apps intended for minority groups.