-Youtube: http://www.youtube.com
The intended purpose of Youtube is that its a site which allows people to connect with others through videos and film. A person can create or watch videos of particular interest to them and share this with the public. Searching on Youtube, I came across some amazing videos of people living with a disability and sharing their stories about it. After watching, I got a good understanding of how the particular disability has effected their lives, I learnt a lot about the disability and I was able to share my thoughts on the comment space underneath. This comment could then be read and responded to by other viewers as well as the video producer.
- Psych forum: http://www.psychforums.com/
The purpose of this forum is for therapists, anyone from the general public or people who feel they have a problem to speak up and share their experiences publically. In order to read posts, you do not have to be a member. But if you wish to give some advice or participate in conversation, then you have to sign up. People with disabilities have the opportunity and chance to be heard, express themselves and get help. Therapists can practice their skills and the general public can learn more about the various types of disabilities.
-Personal blog of person living with cerebral palsy: http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/
The purpose of Glenda Watson’s Hyatt blog is to inform and educate others about her experiences' and life story living with cerebral palsy. She is also promoting her book: “I’ll do it myself”. She has given out her personal contact information: (email and twitter contact) so that anyone reading her blog can contact her directly if they wish. On one of Glenda’s post, Glenda has shared her experience using the iPad to communicate. An interested researcher has commented Glenda asking for more information about her experiences using this assistive technology.
These three online communities have allowed people with disabilities to speak out, express themselves and their feelings at the same time educating others and interacting with them.
The services provided for each site:
Youtube: This site is very interactive. If you sign up to become a member, you can comment on all the videos and make your own profile. What you contribute depends on what you feel you want to contribute! Some people have left comments saying that they admire the person's strength in overcoming the challenges that they have to face every day due to their disability, others would say that they too have the same sort of disability and therefore can relate to the person etc... You can also add friends/communicate with others via your and their profiles. So far, from the particular videos of people talking about their lives living with a disability that I have seen, many have developed huge support networks from people all around the world.
Psych forum: This is also a very interactive site. Anyone anywhere can leave a comment, whether it be therapists, members of the general public or other people seeking help living with a disability. All they need to do is sign up. Once signed up, they can contribute advice, share their own experiences or thoughts on a particular topic.
Personal blog of person living with cerebral palsy: This site is less interactive than the other two sites. Comments are hidden and more emphasis is put on Glenda and the information she chooses to share on her post. However people can still contribute ideas and comment where some have already. All you need to do is fill in some details and then post your comment. People that have commented Glenda so far have responded to a particular posting by either asking questions or giving some advice.
People may choose to contribute to each community for a number of reasons, just some are:
-They can learn from other participants
-They can connect to people that live on the other side of the world
-Can connect with people who share similar interests, (like-minded individuals)
-Can foster a sense of unity and understanding
-Can watch from a distance if they are nervous, a bit reluctant to join, (eg. A discussion about depression on a forum)
They could be seeking comfort, a safe and understanding community, connection with like-minded individuals.
The information can be beneficial for both parties through these communities, I do not believe that information that is read or expressed is only a one way benefit. Both parties (the author and audience) generally learn/ gain something new from one another when sharing information.
Here is an example of comments made to Glenda’s blog post by different people. Glenda was talking about upgrading from an iPad to an iPad 2. She was sharing advice on what to do with her old iPad. She made a number of suggestions to the public about what they can do with their old iPads: who they could donate it too.
Comment by Melody
March 3, 2011 @ 5:03 am
Another place they can think about donating to is http://www.ihelpspecialneeds.com . They are a recent start up company trying to get iPads in the hands of special needs children.they accept donations that then fpo to families who contact them with no other way of getting an iPad.
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Comment by Joanna Paterson
March 3, 2011 @ 8:47 am
What a great idea! Maybe someone should mention it to Apple…?
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Comment by Barbara
March 3, 2011 @ 10:17 am
I will be sharing this post with my therapist-friends. Thanks, Glenda!
The potential ethical issues that may arise from these online community are:
-misuse
-escape from the real world, only living in the virtual world and neglecting their own daily occupations
-Validity of information
-Rapid growth of online communities may result in unperceived changes.
The benefits these communities provide over traditional geographical communities are that they give individuals a space to connect with others that share similar interests and concerns. These people that one connects with may live on the other side of the world. Another benefit is that writers can feel safer as they can choose how much they want to disclose of their identity.
However what online communities lack which traditional communities can provide are the physical, ‘real’ sense of community where you are interacting face to face with other people. You can physically see and hear the support and love received from another person, sharing interests and having the ability to physically participate in those interests with someone. Seeing the person can mean connections and relationships feel more genuine or ‘real’.
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