Name of online community:
walking . is . overrated
Web address: http://walkingisoverrated.com/
The focus of this online community is NZ disability news, views and reviews.
The services provided are news regarding disability, reviews of accessibility and comments posted by community members usually containing discussion of news and reviews. The site is very interactive with videos, photos, and links. People can contribute by posting comments in the many opportunities provided for discussion of topics, by posting reviews of the accessibility of venues and taking polls.
The site was initially formed because the creator Red Nicholson as he was "constantly fustrated by lack of info - online or otherwise- regarding how accessible places are around Auckland city." He also states that he hopes that "everyone comments so you can have a chat with other members of the disabled community".
It can be assumed that the majority of people who access this community are seeking information around disability and a sense of community and belonging with people with similar situations, beliefs or values or those which they can debate and discuss issues affecting them openly.
Below is a list of the most popular posts from the site, the majority are controversial issues that the community enjoy debating, discussing and have a chance to have their opinions heard,
MOST POPULAR POSTS
- The Girl Up Top
- Disabled porn: What's the deal?
- Review: Vector Arena, Auckland
- Social Entrepreneur Forum: Empowerment, social change, and ... discrimination?
- Disabled models wanted!
- MOH Consumer Forums alert - Have your say!
- The "original" Walking Is Overrated?
- Is Coldplay set to screw wheelchair users, too?
- Video blog #2: The Big Day Out "disabled platform"
- New competition: Win a SkyWalk double pass!
Potential ethical issues that could arise in this community include accountability and the need to manage and screen the content that is posted on the site - often done through open discussion of whether members feel offended by particular pictures for example. Other potential issues could arise around privacy and the easy manipulation of text or images that are posted on the internet.
The benefits that this community holds over traditional notions of community is that it enables all members of the disabled community to participate and be in touch with others throughout the country without being restricted by physical or social barriers. The other side of this is that it cannot facilitate face to face social interactions as traditional communities can.
No comments:
Post a Comment