For someone who has always struggled to communicate verbally and who has often felt isolated and alone when in group gatherings, social networking has opened a world to me. Every Tuesday evening I hang out at Liz Strauss' Open Mic Night, where her blog becomes a lively chat filled with people from around the world. Because the conversation is text-based, I have no problems participating. And, because the conversation is not quite real-time, it doesn't matter if I take a few moments to plunk out my responses; I'm not holding up the conversation. Open Mic Nights is my way to hang out with friends at a coffee shop.
Twitter is the same and with messages limited to 140 characters, lengthy responses aren't even possible, further leveling the playing field for a slow typist.
This week I also listened to an online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. The show also had a text chat, allowing listeners to share their thoughts and comments, some of which were then referred by the show hosts.
I still find this technology amazing! Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes when I consider how it enables me to participate and interact with people in ways I am unable to in the brick n mortar world. I do not need to deal with the hassles of getting somewhere and the issue of physical access. My spoken Glenda-ish, which very few people understand, is also not an issue. I can reveal as much or as little about my cerebral palsy as I choose; although I don't hide my disability, many times it doesn't even come up and I can be me without my disability taking center stage. People get to know me based on my words, thoughts, ideas, opinions and wit. They don't get hung up on their misperceptions or assumptions about what my disability is or isn't, which allows us to get right to the task or topic at hand.
However, at times, I wonder, by spending so much time online, if I am missing out on something special and irreplaceable in the brick n mortar world. Nothing beats looking someone in the eyes or giving someone a hug.
By living less in the real world, perhaps architects and city planners won't see as much a need for physical access. Perhaps people won't have their misperceptions and assumptions about disabilities challenged and debunked.
Although this technology means greater inclusion in participating in the virtual world, there is a risk of becoming further isolated from the real world. The very technology tools that allow me to be accepted into the world as an equal can also isolate me even more as I draw further and further into online social networking with less and less “real life”, face-to-face contact with human beings.
On the other hand, when I do eventually meet my invisible friends in person, they will already know me and perhaps they will see beyond my jerky movements of cp.
What are your thoughts? Does social networking include or exclude people with disabilities from society? Are you able to find a balance between the two worlds? Or do you prefer one world over the other?
