Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Tutorial Six: The internet and online communities

Provide the web address and the name of the community you are investigating

www.disabledonline.com
disabled community


What is the brief focus of this community

Disabled online is dedicated to providing the best content for people with disabilities, their families , and friends


What services are provided? How interactive is this site? How can people contribute?

Members can shop from online websites and vendors. Disabled online provides a public community forum where members can post topics and respond to qustions from other disabled users and their families.
Disabled online classified- members of the disabled community can post items for sale and job postings. There are also chatrooms, where members can contact other disabled members around the world.


Types of topics disscused on this website:

Types of wheelchairs "Rolling along high the high street is a bit different than tackling a rocky hiking path. Those 3 inch castors with flashing LED's that match your 'kerazee' personality just aint going to cut it out in the sticks, you need hardcore, off road chairs."


Ethical issues:

Proof of identity, for example are people who they say they are? and do they have a disability?

There is the posibility of disabled members being verbally abused while using chat rooms.

Confidentiality-will private information be shared/viewed by others?



Benifits of online communities

Members can link with others around the world with disabilities. This can be used as a means for support, questioning and sharing experiences.


Negatives on online communities

online communities lack the personal contact of traditional communities

No comments: