A Sense of Control

Communication, information and well-being for people with disabilities; Virtual communities’ research – the perspective; Governments’ policies, legislative and telecommunications regulatory frameworks and information policy; Information needs research for people with disabilities; Deconstructing the narratives of people with physical disabilities – towards a well-being model for a successful virtual community; Findings from the narratives of the allied health/information/policy professionals – confirming the relevance of the emerging well-being model; Model construction; Future directions for virtual communities for people with physical disabilities.

This work develops a theoretical framework for a virtual community for people with long-term, severe mobility disabilities. It proposes strategies for implementing a virtual community model based on user information needs. The central theme to emerge from their narratives is how the use of information and communications technology (ICT) allows them to regain a sense of control. The conclusion is that the technology provides strategies for independence and facilitates self-empowerment.

• Draws on the author’s wide-ranging experience of ICT and disability
• Provides practical and realistic recommendations to real-world problems

Practitioners and students of Library and Information Science; Knowledge managers