The Internet and Online Communities

The following three online communities I'm going to discuss regard intellectual disabilities:

http://www.specialfriendsonline.com/public/

http://www.abilityonline.org/

http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2543

Purpose of ‘special friends online’ :

People with intellectual disabilities get support by developing friendships with other parents, carers and professionals all over the world.Take away the feelings of being isolated by enjoying online chatting and joining in with the general and specialist forum. Users get peace of mind by utilising our 24 hour helpline manned by people who care.Learn more about conditions like Aspergers, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and many others.

Purpose of ‘ability online’:

It provides people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience friendship, support, and skill development at a time when they need it most. Young people with disabilities and illnesses connect with all kinds of possibilities that address their needs for friendship, support and information.  They meet and chat with other people like them in a virtual world that goes beyond boundaries and barriers. They make friends, get tips from mentors, and freely participate in an atmosphere of collaboration, companionship and support.  

Purpose of ‘the arc’:

Learn about a range of intellectual disabilities, including aetiology and diagnosis. Has access to ways of being involved in the intellectually disabled community, and access to other support services.

Services provided on each site:

‘Special friends online’ :

• Very interactive with photos, videos and a 24-hour helpline and instant messaging.
• People can contribute by becoming a sponsor or member of the community
• People contribute support and information for other people with/family members with intellectual disabilities.

‘Ability online’:

• Is very interactive, the site has many pictures and has a positive feel to it. It allows members with intellectual disabilities to chat online 24 hours a day in a safe environment. The text of the website can be changed to allow people with visual difficulties to access the site also.
• People can contribute through chatting, giving donations and attending events advertised on the site.
• Contributing time and a listening ear/support is what people contribute when interactively using the site.

‘The arc’:

• Access to events and other support services. Site isn’t very interactive, made up of 4 major tabs with headings, although these are very clear.
• People can contribute by ‘getting involved’ in the community and giving money to the organisation.
• Very informative and provides clear information regarding different disabilities, this could be very helpful for people without this knowledge.

People choose to contribute to each community as they may seek support from others experiencing the same unique disability. Gaining understanding from others and information regarding their condition is also important and offered in all of these communities. Information is reciprocated in the instant messaging functions. The help-line is information that is also shared both ways also, and is a good way for families of intellectually disabled people to gain an insight.

This excerpt is from a poem written by a mother with a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). People can discuss and post these poems online.

"His temper's outrageous" "He has hands in his food".
He hears this and wonders, just what's wrong with me?
I tell him, "You're special, you have A.D.H.D.".

Tracy Nicolaus (http://www.specialfriendsonline.com/public/)

Ethical issues that may arise in online communities are lack of privacy when chatting online. Not actually knowing who you are chatting too may result in abusive behaviour by the other party. This could also lead to a lack of accountability for negative behaviour. Run by volunteers, money issues may also lack for accountability if funds were to be handled in a dishonest manner.