Analyzing the Communication Interchange of Individuals With Disabilities Utilizing Facebook, Discussion Forums, and Chat Rooms: Qualitative Content Analysis of Online Disabilities Support Groups (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.12667
• Publication Date: 2018-11-08T15:57:20Z
• Authors: Nichole E Stetten; Kelsea LeBeau; Maria A Aguirre; Alexis B Vogt; Jazmine R Quintana; Alexis R Jennings; Mark Hart
• Keywords: Chat room; Online chat; Online discussion

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Approximately 1 in 5 adults the United States are currently living with a form of disability. Although Americans Disabilities Act has published guidelines to help make developing technology and social networking sites (SNS) more accessible user-friendly people range disabilities, persons on average, have less access internet than general population. The quality, content, medium vary from site been greatly understudied. Due this, it is still unclear how disabilities utilize various platforms online communication for support. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> objective this study was qualitatively explore compare interactions connections among support groups across Facebook, discussion forums, chat rooms better understand were utilizing different SNS facilitate interchange, disseminate information, foster community <title>METHODS</title> Facebook groups, chosen based predetermined inclusion criteria. Data collected included content posted as well group members. analyzed using constant comparative method. <title>RESULTS</title> A total 133 posts, 116 forum 60 hours room discussions analyzed. In addition, 4 themes identified 3 rooms. Persons utilized forums similar ways, but their differed comparison. They seem interact platform specific functions offers. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Interactions each displayed elements types support, indicating ability be facilitated SNS; however, type varied by platform. Findings demonstrate that serve purposes may not interchangeable. Through participation platforms, able provide receive without barriers constraints often experienced