Facebook and Disability
According to AbilityNet, social networking sites MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo and Bebo exclude disabled users. For example, people with visual impairment cannot log in Facebook because of Captcha. In my opinion, Captcha visual verification code images are not easy to read. Sometimes it could take me a few times to input the right code, let alone the disabled who might need more help than me. Many users with disabilities are unable to use Captcha because of compatibility issues with, for instance, screen reading software used by blind visitors. A social networking website like Facebook should make itself more accessible to a broader group of people, including disabled people. Captcha unnecessarily puts those with visual impairment in the helped position, inviting someone to interpret for them. However, it is difficult to have someone staying with them all the time. Thus, Facebook should focus on independence rather than "benevolent assistance" (Disability and New Media, Ellis, Katie, Kent, Mike).
According to AbilityNet, social networking sites MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo and Bebo exclude disabled users. For example, people with visual impairment cannot log in Facebook because of Captcha. In my opinion, Captcha visual verification code images are not easy to read. Sometimes it could take me a few times to input the right code, let alone the disabled who might need more help than me. Many users with disabilities are unable to use Captcha because of compatibility issues with, for instance, screen reading software used by blind visitors. A social networking website like Facebook should make itself more accessible to a broader group of people, including disabled people. Captcha unnecessarily puts those with visual impairment in the helped position, inviting someone to interpret for them. However, it is difficult to have someone staying with them all the time. Thus, Facebook should focus on independence rather than "benevolent assistance" (Disability and New Media, Ellis, Katie, Kent, Mike).
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Click the SOUND button!
Click the SOUND button!
As Facebook group STOP Facebook discriminating against disabled users attracts discussions relating to the inaccessibility of Facebook, Facebook started to change its features in order to be more accessible to a broader group. It invented the new audio Captcha, html-only version and keyboard shortcuts. With these new features, more and more disabled people were able to use Facebook and continued their lives with social networks. To make itself more accessible, Facebook did not only get praises from people with disabilities, but also got the acknowledgment of the general public. Social network is something that builds up the connections between people. Facebook used its own actions to show us the importance of connecting, caring and accepting. I believe that Facebook will be even better if it devotes to change itself for a greater accessibility.