The Mobile Disability Gap Report 2025
Record number: 626
Last update: March 2026
Type of document: Manuals or books
Last update: March 2026
Type of document: Manuals or books
Author: Boralba Kapllani, Matthew Shanahan, Abi Gleek, Agatha Appleton-Sas, Kim Viljoen, Claire Sibthorpe
Editorial data: GSMA
Year of publication: 2025
Abstract:
The work examines mobile access, adoption and usage among persons with disabilities across 14 low- and middle-income countries. The findings show that persons with disabilities remain disproportionately excluded at every stage of the mobile internet user journey—from awareness of mobile internet, to ownership of internet‑enabled devices, to daily and diverse digital engagement. Key barriers include limited digital skills, the high cost of devices (especially smartphones), lack of relevant content or services, and safety and security concerns. The report also highlights the heightened exclusion faced by women with disabilities and persons with disabilities living in rural areas. It concludes with targeted recommendations for policymakers, mobile operators and ecosystem actors to reduce the mobile disability gap and foster a more inclusive digital environment.
The work examines mobile access, adoption and usage among persons with disabilities across 14 low- and middle-income countries. The findings show that persons with disabilities remain disproportionately excluded at every stage of the mobile internet user journey—from awareness of mobile internet, to ownership of internet‑enabled devices, to daily and diverse digital engagement. Key barriers include limited digital skills, the high cost of devices (especially smartphones), lack of relevant content or services, and safety and security concerns. The report also highlights the heightened exclusion faced by women with disabilities and persons with disabilities living in rural areas. It concludes with targeted recommendations for policymakers, mobile operators and ecosystem actors to reduce the mobile disability gap and foster a more inclusive digital environment.