Disability and New Media

Disability and New Media examines how digital design is often failing to meet the needs of people with disabilities. As video and animation become increasingly prominent in online content, users' ability to control how they access information has been compromised. This issue is not just technical, but also deeply political, reflecting a broader societal assumption that prioritizes able-bodied perspectives. The authors argue that true accessibility on the web requires a fundamental shift in how we think about disability as a cultural identity, rather than simply a technical issue. Building on this idea, Kent and Ellis explore recent developments in Web 2.0 technologies, social networking sites, virtual worlds, and file sharing, highlighting both the potential for inclusion and the ways in which these platforms can perpetuate exclusion. By examining a range of applications that have emerged alongside Web 2.0, the authors provide a nuanced analysis of how digital design is impacting people with disabilities.