UNIT 20 Disability

藝弊悝汜炾釬

Disabilities Awareness on the Internet

by Sara Pawlowski, Averill Park High School

In the world of cyberspace, "the differences between rich and poor, high and low, disabled and able melt away," Zhang Zu, a physician and quadriplegic expressed in his letter to the online community of The International Center for Disability Resources. While running an online consultation service, the entire medical field population has become his colleagues. Up to date information and professionals are easily accessed, with the click of a mouse. Dr. Zu states that "Disability is still a difficult experience, but the opportunity, joy, and convenience that the Internet brings me is also unlimited."

Dr. Zang Zu＊s story speaks to the connotation of today＊s new digitalized world. In this community, notions of disabilities are literarily erased with the simplicity of communication via the Internet. All kinds of people can make full use of their talents by the equality brought by the ability to communicate via the digital world.

The disabled community is estimated to be about 12% of the Internet population. This statistic emphasizes the need for universal accessibility of the Internet, which can aid people who may not be able to communicate with each other in other circumstances. The Internet is a valuable resource for communication in not just work-related subjects, but leisure and recreation as well.

For example, the Thinkquest online community recently hosted an Internet competition for the design of an innovative web page for International Education. The winner of the challenge entry was "Just because we have a disability doesn＊t mean we byte!" The site was made to "help understand how it is difficult to be different." The web site succeeds admirably with an open and sensitive treatment of disability issues. Simulations, a "3D world," and videos are offered to help the visitor to the web site step into another＊s shoes and imagine a life with different abilities. The web page is "a place where differences, whether it be a disability (visible or invisible), religion, race, or ethnic group are able to live in harmony."

Other great places to visit on the Internet are supportive web communities for people affected by disabilities, supplying online magazines, chat rooms, and a morass of disability related information. My favorites were:

> (http://accesiblesociety.org/) A wonderful site with disability-related material

> (http://ableville.com/) An online community created for enhancing the lives of physically challenged individuals

> (http://disabilityresources.org/) An excellent resource for information on disabilities

The Internet has vastly improved communication and the connections we have as people within a worldwide community setting. Take advantage of the resources on the Internet to further the awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities by visiting the web sites and becoming part of the online community devoted to understanding.

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