How Social Media can Change Lives
I first wrote this as a guest poster on Jeff Pulver’s Blog
It’s a good perspective check as more and more people are worrying about their futures. Those who can best learning to adapt and grow are our trail blazers right now. The life mantra for successful people who have a disability has really always been “adapt and grow”
Here’s the post, let me know what you think:
I think there’s a lot to be learned from bearing witness to how social media has been changing the lives of people with disabilities. Considering able-bodied people’s lives are being crippled by a scary economic climate, it might be very timely to see what your gimpy population has been up to. The disabled have long sought methods to get ourselves, our strengths and our contributions through our own front doors. Computers with adaptive technology, along with the power of social media, have been a piece of the passport we’ve been seeking.
We find that we have the power to open our own doors. Social media with its speak at your own pace nature means people who could not have easily been a part of the conversation are now important contributors. Biases and distractions concerning our manner, wheelchairs, service dogs or white canes are not distracting you from
our words, creativity and ability.
Social media is becoming more and more barrier free, we are easily going where ever we want to go. While many see their lives as narrowing because of the economy, people with disabilities are going through a time of liberation, easily traveling around the world every time we power up our computer.
I am not suggesting we all stay in our living rooms and click away our days. I am saying that there is much more that is possible than impossible. It’s important to see that the world has not closed its doors to you just because your employer’s doors have.
Rachel
About the Author: 
Rachel | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
We have the power to comment now, please do so freely!
Beth LaMie | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
Your new blog is right on target. When I was with IBM, there were some people who I got to know remotely before meeting them in person. That is when I first realized that they had some type of disability. One of our best programmers was a brilliant woman who was totally blind. One guy wasn’t disabled, but he was rather excentric, so they made sure he didn’t have any direct customer contact. I guess his long grey hair, HUGE beard, tattooes & Harley didn’t project the IBM “image.”
With all the remote access available now, from email to Twitter, blogging, etc., there is much less face-to-face contact. I agree that must help to level the playing field for anyone with a disability.
Beth
http://onestoryatatime.blogspot.com
Beth LaMie | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
Great new format for your blog. Very professional looking and exceptionally easy to navigate.
Beth LaMie
Jim Legington | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Rachel,
Again You have Inspired me today with Your Thoughts about
the Impact of Social Media Empowering People to Communicate
in Conversation around the whole world. Realizing that our
neighbors are brought closer to us via Computer, we can
just reach out and touch another and Uplift in Our words
and deeds. It’s Amazing, and when we know grace and truth
were realized through Jesus Christ, Together We Stand Blessed: Hallelujah!
Yes We Can Change our Thoughts, and Change the world.
All Begins with the heart, mind, soul, yielded to God
Our Father. From the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks. God’s will is that we have the new heart from
God Our Father, saturated in the word of faith.
Reading Psalm 33:1-15 Joy of Salvation through Jesus
Christ Our Lord is certainly our strength. The LORD
is Our Righteousness. Be Blessed always…Peace!
God Bless Rachel!
Rachel | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
Hey Jim,
I am glad that what I wrote made an impression on you. How one decide to take my words home is something I leave to my readers. You, as well as everyone else, will read and interpret what I write in a way that suites each persons needs.
I do want to be clear, however, that my intention here is not as a religious site but as a site for all expression. That’s really all we need to say on the topic. I thank you for offering me the opportunity for clarification.
Rachel
Ginger | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
What a nice site you have Rachel! I found you on Twitter and now I am following you. I just wanted to let you know that after reading just this one blog, you inspire me! Thank you!
Karen Putz / DeafMom | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I’ve met some incredible people using social media and I love the way I can interact without barriers– that is, until I hit a video or audio that I can’t access. I’ve found that many are willing to accommodate with a transcript or willing to caption their videos once they realize the barrier.
Rachel Z Cornell | Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Karen,
Good point. Just like I want everything visual translated into audio, you need access in the other direction. What does it take to do close caption on a YouTube video? When I start doing video, I will be sure to have transcripts or CC. I want my sites to be as accessible as possible.
Thanks for the comment,
Rachel
stephen bach | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Rachel,
I’m trying again with the comment, but as I said I think this was a great little story. I’ll try to visit regularly.
Steve
Dan Holloway | Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
Hi Rachel, followed your tweet over here - I’m intrigued. Are you interested in hearing from high achievers with mental disabilities? If so drop me a line/DM me on twitter (agnieszkasshoes).