Disability and haptic mobile media. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goggin, Gerard
• Other Names: Parisi David guest-editor.; Paterson Mark guest-editor.; Archer Jason Edward guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: New media & society. Volume 19:Number 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1563
• Page End: 1580
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Disability -- haptic media -- iPhone -- mobile media -- mobile phone -- smartphone -- touch -- vibration; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media and culture -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Internet -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 302.2305
• DOI: 10.1177/1461444817717512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-4448

Abstract

This article examines haptic media from the standpoint of disability media studies. Its central case study is the smartphone moment, in which mobile communication emerges as a mass haptic media form. The smartphone as a form of haptic media engages dynamics of disability, including touch, vibration and proprioception. In particular, vibration is an important contribution of the smartphone to haptic media. Overall, the article argues that we need to understand the socio-technical dynamics of disability, and its complex relationships with senses and technology, in order to understand the histories that constitute current media – as well as to imagine future haptic mobile media.