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Disability related issues and constructing online communities

University of British Columbia

In this study, two questionnaires were specifically developed to identify variables that may potentially effect participation in online communities. A total of seven organizations responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of online communities for or including children with disabilities or serious illnesses were involved with this study: Ability OnLine, Children With Diabetes, ConvoNation, KidSET, Project Do-IT, STARBRIGHT World, and Talk City. The information obtained from the seven system administrators and 151 participants provided information for future design and development of online communities, a first look at variables that potentially impact participation in online communities, and a better understanding of social experiences within online communities. Findings from this study indicated that adolescents with disabilities or serious illnesses perceive their peer group integration to be lower than their peers without disabilities or serious illnesses and that this isolation may increase with age. The provision of opportunities for students with disabilities to interact, develop relationships, and groups with others that share commonalties can diminish this isolation (Stainback et al., 1996). This study demonstrated the potential of online communities to provide opportunities for meaningful social experiences for adolescents with disabilities and serious illnesses.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-06-17

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/9392

Special Education

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace