Getty
Whatever else we may feel about the benefits and drawbacks of social media, it has produced at least one clear positive. Disability Culture is thriving online. Whether you are disabled yourself, have disabled people in your family, or are just interested, it is now easier than ever to explore and participate in Disability Culture. Here are some samples to get you started.
What is “Disability Culture?”
There is no single correct definition or controlling outlet for what we can call ‘Disability Culture.” Roughly speaking, it is audio, video, writing, art, music, discussions, and ideas, on disability topics and themes, that people with disabilities create and share … with each other and with the broader culture.
Disability culture has always existed. Whenever two or more disabled people compare notes about their experiences, anytime a disabled person writes about their thoughts and feelings, wherever disabled people have shared the products of their creativity … there is Disability Culture. But online media have vastly expanded and diversified Disability Culture, lowered barriers to participation, and made it more easily available to disabled people and others. Disability Culture is still relatively unknown to most people, including many, maybe even most, people with disabilities. But the unique accessibility and penetration of digital media is changing that very quickly.
The following are suggested entry points for anyone who wants to explore and participate in Disability Culture online.
Blogs & Websites
Disability Visibility Project … Disabled activist and cultural observer Alice Wong has transformed a short-term project into an ongoing blog and podcast exploring the full spectrum of Disability Culture, with an emphasis on how it intersects with the experiences of other marginalized racial, ethnic, and gender communities. And it’s all carried with a unique combination of seriousness, humor, and joy.
Rooted In Rights Blog … Rooted In Rights is a disability advocacy organization based in Washington State, but its blog offers essays on a broader array of disability issues by a diverse group of freelance writers, who are paid for their work. The blog is managed by disability blogger and podcaster Emily Ladau.
Unpacking Disability with Meriah Nichols & Love That Max … These two blogs are by parents of kids with disabilities. Meriah Nichols also has a disability herself, and posts essays and observations on a wide variety of disability issues and experience. Love That Max is by Ellen Seidman, a professional writer and editor, and while some of her writing reflects the day to day dilemmas and joys of parenting a disabled child, (now a teenager), her blog also features writing on broader disability issues affecting disabled people of all ages. She also provides a weekly forum for other disability bloggers, which helps build connections between the “Special Needs Parent” community and disabled people.
Andy Imparato – #FF (follow Fridays) … This longtime disabled activist and organizer makes an invaluable contribution to the disability community online by offering weekly “Follow Fridays” in which he shares Twitter accounts of important voices in Disability Culture. Other disabled Twitter users also occasionally do this, too. Look for the #FF hashtag on Fridays, and use them to explore.
Crutches & Spice … Imani Barbarin is the “Hashtag Queen” of the disability community. She is a freelance writer and blogger, but she’s probably best known for her creative and provocative hashtags that prompt a flood of shared experiences and feelings among disabled people. #AbledsAreWeird, and #ThingsDisabledPeopleKnow are good places to start your exploration. Imani is also an important voice exploring the unique perspectives and concerns of disabled people of color.
Cal Montgomery, Matthew Cortland … These two disabled Twitter users may seem to have little in common. But they both provide uniquely rigorous, incisive, and informed commentary on current disability issues. Cal is an invaluable voice challenging the conventional wisdom and habits of the disability community itself, especially how it integrates and sometimes excludes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Matthew is an attorney who expertly, meticulously, but also passionately dissects healthcare and disability policy. This year he is also unabashedly campaigning for Elizabeth Warren for President. But that doesn’t in any way diminish his objectivity on what often obscure disability policies mean in real life for disabled people.
#CripTheVote, #DisabledTwitter or #DisabilityTwitter, #DisabledAndCute … More hashtags to follow and participate in to get connected and learn about what’s happening in Disability Culture and politics.
Podcasts
The Accessible Stall … Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian are good friends, each with different disabilities. They have an infectious rapport, and share both a passion and intellectual curiosity about disability issues, experiences, and habits. Between the two of them, they are able to examine and debate the many facets of disability issues … from accessibility and ableism, to activism and online discourse. Disability discussions can sometimes feel dry and cramped. Kyle and Emily’s discussions are always honest, heartfelt, and funny.
Disability Visibility Project Podcast … Alice Wong interviews the most amazing disabled people. They are amazing because they represent perspectives on disability life, culture, and issues that are often overlooked. The DVP Podcast is essential listening if you want the full picture of disability culture, beyond the basics, and under the surface.
Ouch: Disability Talk … This radio program from the BBC is one of the first mainstream audio programs anywhere to focus on disability issues and culture. The hosts all have disabilities, and they bring in disabled guests, (most, but not all from the UK), to discuss a full range of disability-related topics. Ouch! Is a good place to start if you want a friendly but substantive introduction to what’s going on in Disability Culture. It also provides fascinating insights into how disability policy is done outside the United States.
YouTube
Squirmy & Grubs … Shane has physical disabilities and uses a wheelchair. His fiance Hanah is not disabled. By conventional standards of appearance, they are indeed an unusual couple. But their chemistry together comes across immediately, and their love for each other is absolutely clear and strong. They put out a video about every other day about their travels, speaking engagements, cooking, wedding plans, and of course their disability-related experiences, strategies, and often bizarre encounters with everyday ableism. They are also both hilarious. Shane is a natural comedian, while Hannah is an impeccable “straight man.” Their work is simply delightful, and you’re going to want to follow their story as it unfolds.
Anya Darlow, Molly Burke, RebelWheelsNYC … These three women have different disabilities, and their channels are quite different from each other. But they all employ an effective combination of personal hacks and how-tos, and deeper explorations of disability issues and experiences. Some of their stuff is serious, some funny and light. All of them are well worth following for general insights into disability life.
AmputeeOT, Footless Jo … These two vloggers provide specific insight into a particular kind of disability experience: transitioning between being essentially non-disabled to being disabled, in both cases through amputation. AmputeeOT documented her journey seven years ago, and her “Lego Leg” video in particular went viral. Footless Jo’s journey began more recently, and is still in progress. Both are important documents in how people negotiate new disabilities and become part of Disability Culture, and how their feelings and strategies change over time.
Andrea Lausell, Annie Elainey … Andrea and Annie’s vlogs are part disability vlogs, part fashion vlogs, and part social justice vlogs. And these different styles blend seamlessly. They also provide important insight into the everyday experience of having disabilities that aren’t always visible or easily understood by casual observers.
Disability Details … This is a new channel by attorney and disabled activist Stephanie Woodward. It’s more of a straightforward educational channel with information and practical tips on how disabled people can ensure that their rights as disabled people are respected in everyday life.
TED Talks
I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much – Stella Young … Stella was an Australian disability activist, journalist, speaker, and radio broadcaster who may have done more to define the modern, empowered disability rights stance than anyone else since the mid-1970s. She passed away in 2014, but her influence on Disability Culture remains powerful.
I got 99 problems… palsy is just one – Maysoon Zayid … In this TED Talk, Maysoon breathes life and humor into what “intersectional” means for disabled people. She describes the unique interplay between the ableism, sexism, racism, and religious bigotry she encounters as a Palestinian Muslim woman with Cerebral Palsy … and as a comedian and actress. Her very funny and relatable talk is essential to understanding that Disability Culture is a real thing, in a very concrete sense.
Our fight for disability rights — and why we’re not done yet – Judith Heumann … You can’t really find a better basic introduction to the modern disability rights movement than than a talk by Judy Heumann, who was there and a key participant in its birth. The history, the core injustice, and the passion are all here.
Writers
s.e. smith … s.e. is Deputy Editor of Talk Poverty, and a freelance journalist. They have written a number of influential articles in both specialty and mainstream publications, on topics like disability and environmentalism, and how technology and innovation are promoted as solutions to disability-related problems. s.e. is also a strong advocate for disabled writers, and a co-founder of Disabled Writers, a website database promoting writers and journalists with disabilities.
Sara Luterman … Sara is an autistic freelance writer who has recently done some great work analyzing and summarizing Presidential candidates’ disability policies, and has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Slate, and Vox. She also founded the former NOS Magazine, and currently publishes a new autism and disability rights NOS Newsletter.
Keah Brown, Carly Findlay … Keah and Carly are both authors of books focused on disabled people’s social stigma and self-image. Keah’s book, “The Pretty One” and Carly’s “Say Hello” both explore the way people with disabilities see themselves and are seen by others, while affirming the possibility and rewards of true self-acceptance.
Smart Ass Cripple … Mike Ervin has been writing and blogging with cutting, always substantive and multi-layered humor about his lifelong disability experiences for many years. He blogs regularly, and also writes for The Progressive and other publications on disability and politics.
As you wade in …
Keep in mind that this is just one sample of Disability Culture available online. A dozen more articles just like this could be written, each with a different selection of equally interesting disabled creators.
It is also important to acknowledge that in addition to all the enriching and energizing content, there are also some shady or less attractive sides to online Disability Culture. For example:
Disability “blogs” and “resources” produced by companies selling specific products or professional services. Their information can be useful, but beware of hidden agendas and biases.
“Inspiration Porn … viral videos and pictures that appeal to overblown emotionalism — usually either disgust or sentimentality — and often use disabled people’s images without their permission or participation.
Disability-themed websites and content that is produced, curated, and controlled by non-disabled people, without paying disabled creators, but presented as authentic or definitive Disability Culture.
Online forums and discussions on disability life and culture that become dominated by non-disabled professionals and “Special Needs Parents,” who may mean well, but sometimes drown out dissenting voices of actual disabled people.
Internet “trolls,” or bullies, that sometimes target disabled people. Honest, even passionate disagreement over ideas is one thing. Personal hostility and ableist attacks are something else entirely. You don’t have to tolerate it. Learn how to block abusive people, and always feel free to disengage from unproductive arguments.
None of this is to suggest that these things should be banned, or that some might not have something valuable to offer. Just be aware of your own values and what you are looking for in Disability Culture, and make your choices accordingly.
Add your voice
Once you find online outlets of Disability Culture that speak to you, you may want to participate yourself and add to the conversation. First, pick a handful of people and websites that appeal to you, check out the others that they like, follow, and link to, and expand your circle gradually and selectively. Then choose the a platform you feel most comfortable with — whether it’s starting your own blog, making or commenting on YouTube videos, or joining Twitter discussions — and start sharing your thoughts.
Finally, be sure to share what other people create. That will encourage them to share and support your work in turn, and that is how Disability Culture expands and diversifies through social media.
Full disclosure: Andrew Pulrang is a co-founder and organizer of #CripTheVote.