Activity and voice of people with sensory dysfunctions on social media. Report on netnographic research

Abstract

Social media are becoming an essential communication tool for people with disabilities and can become a good resource of knowledge for social workers. As a critical area of contemporary visual culture, social media can enhance the empowerment and social inclusion of people with visual and hearing impairments. The aim of the presented online research conducted between March and July 2021 was to answer the main research question: what self-expression content people with sensory disorders present on social media. Additionally, specific research questions were posed: how the content address topics relates to social inclusion; what benefits can social workers gain from observing social media accounts run by people with visual and hearing impairments? To analyse the presence of people with visual and hearing impairment on social media, I used three qualitative research methods: desk research, netnography, and case study. The analysis of the collected material allowed me to distinguish nine main thematic categories of content published by people with sensory dysfunctions on social media: everyday life, medical information, modern technologies, forms of support, taboos, humour, social activity, relationships, leisure. The categories were generated through coding and categorization in an emic perspective. The analysis also indicated that much of the content discussed relates to the idea of social inclusion for people with sensory dysfunctions. The article also shows a series of benefits of observing social media for social workers in their professional practice.