SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1

Exploring The Quality and Characteristics of Websites Offering Providing Information on Various Types of Disabilities

Farklı Özel Gereksinim Türleri Hakkında Bilgi Sağlayan İnternet Sitelerinin Kalite ve Karakteristik Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi

Salih Rakap(ONDOKUZ MAYIS ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6389-6711
Serife Balıkcı(University of North Carolina Greensboro)0000-0003-3740-8037
Emrah Gülboy(ONDOKUZ MAYIS ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7802-6839
Pages
142–165
Publication Date
2025-03-22
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings revealed the quality of websites providing information about autism spectrum disorder, speech and language disorders, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities was better than websites providing information about the other types of disabilities.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality and characteristics of websites that are designed in Turkish and provide information regarding 10 different types of disabilities.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study consists of (a) identifying 100 websites that provide information on 10 different types of disabilities by using two different search engines and (b) evaluating the quality and characteristics of the identified websites.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Findings revealed the quality of websites providing information about autism spectrum disorder, speech and language disorders, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities was better than websites providing information about the other types of disabilities.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:özel gereksinimli bireyler · internet sitesi kalitesi · internet sitesi özellikleri

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality and characteristics of websites that are designed in Turkish and provide information regarding 10 different types of disabilities. A descriptive survey research model was used in the study. The study consists of (a) identifying 100 websites that provide information on 10 different types of disabilities by using two different search engines and (b) evaluating the quality and characteristics of the identified websites. Findings revealed the quality of websites providing information about autism spectrum disorder, speech and language disorders, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities was better than websites providing information about the other types of disabilities. However, websites providing information about each disability type tend to contain inaccurate, incorrect, or incomplete information. Most of the websites offer misleading information regarding the effectiveness of interventions for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, a significant number of websites did not specify the sources of the information provided, and a majority of them contained advertisements focusing on product/service promotion or marketing. Websites developed by universities, public institutions, and organizations were found to offer more accurate and up-to-date information compared to those developed for commercial purposes or by individuals. Findings are discussed in the context of existing literature, and recommendations are presented.

Özet

Araştırmanın amacı, Türkçe olarak geliştirilmiş 10 farklı özel gereksinim türüyle ilgili bilgi sağlayan internet sitelerinin kalite ve karakteristik özelliklerinin incelenmesidir. Araştırmada nicel araştırma modellerinden betimsel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırma; (a) 10 farklı özel gereksinim türü ile ilgili bilgi sunan 100’er adet internet sitesinin iki farklı arama motoru kullanılarak belirlenmesi ve (b) belirlenen internet sitelerinin kalite ve karakteristik özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesi aşamalarından oluşmaktadır. Bulgular, otizm spektrum bozukluğu, dil ve konuşma bozuklukları, Down sendromu ve öğrenme güçlüğü ile ilgili bilgi sunan internet sitelerinin kalitelerinin diğer özel gereksinim türleri hakkında bilgi sunan internet sitelerine kıyasla daha iyi olduğunu, ancak tüm özel gereksinim türleri hakkında bilgi sunan internet sitelerinde hatalı, yanlış ya da eksik bilgilerin olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Birçok internet sitesinde, özel gereksinimi olan bireylerle kullanılabilecek müdahale yöntemlerinin etkililiği hakkında kullanıcıyı yanlış yönlendirecek bilgiler bulunmaktadır. İnternet sitelerinin büyük çoğunluğunda sunulan bilginin kaynağının belirtilmediği, büyük çoğunluğunun reklam içerdiği ve ürün/hizmet tanıtma ya da pazarlamaya odaklandığı görülmektedir. Üniversiteler ve devlet kurum ve kuruluşları tarafından geliştirilen internet sitelerinde sunulan bilgilerin ticari amaç için ya da bireysel olarak geliştirilmiş internet sitelerine göre daha doğru ve güncel bilgiler sundukları belirlenmiştir. Bulgular mevcut alanyazın bağlamında tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur.

🔖

Cite This Article

Rakap, S., Balıkcı, S., Gülboy, E. (2025). Exploring The Quality and Characteristics of Websites Offering Providing Information on Various Types of Disabilities. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1, 142–165. https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.1465354

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (40)

  1. Akram, G., Thomson, A. H., Boyter, A. C., & Morton, M. J. S. (2008). Characterization and evaluation of UK websites on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 93(8), 695-700. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2007.130708
  2. Amsbary, J., Lin, M. L., Savage, M. N., Fanning, L., Reszka, S., Watson, L. R., & Boyd, B. (2022). Engaging parents in the development and testing of a website to support social-communication and play development for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Special Education Technology, 37(4), 523-535.
  3. Bayın-Donar, G. B. (2020). Google arama hacmi verileri ile Türkiye’de hastalık farkındalık günlerinin etkinliğinin değerlendirilmesi. Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 13(2), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.26559/mersinsbd.691939
  4. Bayraklı, H., & Sucuoğlu, B. (2022). Okul öncesinde kaynaştırma aile eğitimi (3. Baskı). Pegem.
  5. Buteau-Poulin, A., Gosselin, C., Bergeron-Ouellet, A., Kiss, J., Lamontagne, M. È., Maltais, D.,. & Desmarais, C. (2020). Availability and quality of web resources for parents of children with disability: Content analysis and usability study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 3(2), e19669. https://doi.org/10.2196/19669
  6. Charnock, D. (1998). The DISCERN handbook: Quality criteria for consumer health information on treatment choices. Radcliffe Medical Press.
  7. Clinton, E. (2016). Comorbidity of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Emotional/behavioral Disorders: Towards Improved Diagnostic Procedures, Instructional Programming, and Personnel Preparation. Journal on Educational Psychology, 9(4), 38-43.
  8. Chowdhury, J., Drummond, J., Fleming, D., & Neufeld, S. 2002. Content analysis of online autism specific sites. Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 9(2), 157-165.
  9. Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Pearson Education Inc.
  10. Ellis, J. T., Luiselli, J. K., Amirault, D., Byrne, S., O’Malley-Cannon, B., Taras, M., Wolongevicz, J., & Sisson, R. W. (2002). Families of children with developmental disabilities: Assessment and comparison of self-reported needs in relation to situational variables. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 14(2), 191-202
  11. Erdoğan, T., Aydemir, Y., Aydın, A., İnci, M. B., Ekerbiçer, H., Muratdağı, G., ve Kurban, A. (2020). İnternet ve televizyonda sağlık bilgisi arama davranışı ve ilişkili faktörler. Sakarya Tıp Dergisi, 10(Özel Sayı), 1-10.
  12. Ferreira, G., Traeger, A. C., Machado, G., O'Keeffe, M., & Maher, C. G. (2019). Credibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of internet-based information about low back pain: a systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(5), e13357. https://doi.org/10.2196/13357
  13. Filipe, F., Pires, I. M., & Gouveia, A. J. (2023). Why web accessibility is important for your institution. Procedia Computer Science, 219(2023), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.01.259
  14. Gencer,, Z. T., Daşlı, Y., ve Biçer, E. B. (2019). Sağlık iletişiminde yeni yaklaşımlar: Dijital medya kullanımı. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, 22(1), 42-52. https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.466855
  15. Gobrial, E. (2018). The quality of autism spectrum disorders online websites promoting awareness and supporting parents: The case of Arabic website. International Journal of Online Marketing (IJOM), 8(4), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJOM.2018100104
  16. Grant, N., Rodger, S., & Hoffmann, T. (2015). Evaluation of autism‐related health information on the Web. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 28(4), 276-282. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12127
  17. Hitt, S. B., Kwiatek, S., Voggt, A., Chang, W. H., Gadd, S., & Test, D. W. (2022). Are Online Resources for Evidence- Based Practices Useful?. The Journal of Special Education, 55(4), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466920982958
  18. Kauffman, J. (1999). How we prevent the prevention of emotional and behavioral disorders. Exceptional Children, 65, 448-468
  19. Kaya, A., Meral, O., Güler, H., ve Aktaş, E. Ö. (2015). Çocuk istismarı açısından risk grubunda olan psikiyatrik engelli çocukların engelli sağlık kurulu raporlarına göre engel durumları ve özel eğitim hakkı. Adli Tıp Bülteni, 20(1), 1-6.
  20. Laplante-Levesque, A., Brannstrom, K. J., Andersson, G., & Lunner, T. 2012. “Quality and readability of English-language internet information for adults with hearing impairment and their significant others. International Journal of Audiology, 51(8), 618-626.
  21. Neely, S., Eldredge, C., & Sanders, R. (2021). Health information seeking behaviors on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic among American social networking site users: Survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6), e29802. https://doi.org/10.2196/29802
  22. Reichow, B., Gelbar, N. W., Mouradjian, K., Shefcyk, A., & Smith, I. C. (2014). Characteristics of international websites with information on developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(10), 2293-2298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.05.028
  23. Reichow, B., Halpern, J. I., Steinhoff, T. B., Letsinger, N., Naples, A., & Volkmar, F. R. (2012a). Characteristics and quality of autism websites. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), 1263-1274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1342-6
  24. Reichow, B., Naples, A., Steinhoff, T., Halpern, J., & Volkmar, F. R. (2012b). Brief report: Consistency of search engine rankings for autism websites. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), 1275-1279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1480-5
  25. Reichow, B., Shefcyk, A., & Bruder, M. B. (2013). Quality comparison of websites related to developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(10), 3077-3083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2013.06.013
  26. Sakalli-Gümüş, S. (2013). Duygusal ve davranışsal bozukluğu olan çocuklar. A. Cavkaytar (Ed.). Özel eğitim içinde (ss. 103-121). Vize Yayıncılık.
  27. Scullard, P., Peacock, C., & Davies, P. (2010). Googling children’s health: Reliability of medical advice on the internet. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 95(8), 580-582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.10.013
  28. Suarez-Lledo, V., & Alvarez-Galvez, J. (2021). Prevalence of health misinformation on social media: systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(1), e17187. https://doi.org/10.2196/17187
  29. Test, D. W., Kemp-Inman, A., Diegelmann, K., Hitt, S. B., & Bethune, L. (2015). Are online sources for identifying evidence-based practices trustworthy? An evaluation. Exceptional Children, 82(1), 58-80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402915585477
  30. Toy, A. B., & Kesici, İ. (2020). Özel gereksinimli çocuğu olan annelerin eğitim ihtiyaçları. Journal of Advanced Education Studies, 2(1), 61-93.
  31. Townsend, N. L. (2006). Framing a ceiling as a floor: The changing definition of learning disabilities and the conflicting trends in legislation affecting learning disabled students. Creighton L. Rev., 40(1), 229-270.
  32. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (2019). Hanehalkı bilişim teknolojileri (BT) kullanım araştırması, 2019. Erişim Tarihi: 24.12.2023.
  33. Uğurlu, M., & Eratay, E. (2022). Farklı yetersizlik türlerinden etkilenen çocuk ve gençlerin duygu ve davranış bozukluklarının değerlendirilmesi. Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Özel Eğitim Dergisi, 23(4), 873- 891. https://doi.org/10.21565/ozelegitimdergisi.884751
  34. Viera, A. J., Garrett, J. M. 2005. “Understanding interobserver agreement: The kappa statistic”, Fam Med, 37(5), 360-363.
  35. Viezel, K. D., Williams, E., & Dotson, W. H. (2020). College-based support programs for students with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 35(4), 234-245.
  36. Wang, X., & Cohen, R. A. (2023). Health information technology use among adults: United States, July–December 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db482.pdf
  37. Weissheimer, G., Santana, J. M., Ruthes, V. B. T. N. M., & Mazza, V. D. A. (2020). Necessary information for the families of children with autism spectrum disorder: an integrative review. Aquichan, 20(2), e2028. https://doi.org/10.5294/aqui.2020.20.2.8
  38. We are social (2023). Digital 2023. https://wearesocial.com/ca-en/blog/2023/01/digital-2023/
  39. Buteau-Poulin, A., Gosselin, C., Bergeron-Ouellet, A., Kiss, J., Lamontagne, M. È., Maltais, D.,. & Desmarais, C. (2020). Availability and quality of web resources for parents of children with disability: Content analysis and usability study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 3(2), e19669. https://doi.org/10.2196/19669
  40. Gencer,, Z. T., Daşlı, Y., ve Biçer, E. B. (2019). Sağlık iletişiminde yeni yaklaşımlar: Dijital medya kullanımı. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, 22(1), 42-52. https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.466855