Gathering in a cyber world: Internet use of Chinese disabled people and the emergence of disability constituencies. Issue 7 (14th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qu, Yuanyuan; Watson, Nicholas
• Is Part Of: Disability & society. Volume 34:Issue 7/8(2019)
• Page Start: 1062
• Page End: 1081
• Publication Date: 2019-09-14
• Subjects: Disability in China -- canji -- disability activism -- Internet use -- online community; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Special education -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 362.4
• DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1602508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-7599

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines how Chinese disabled people use the Internet to create active constituencies and the potential for this to afford the opportunity for a new form of activism. Based on a content analysis of China's two largest disability online forums, the article documents disabled people's online activities. These include the description of everyday activities, the build-up of social relations, and organisation and mobilisation for changes. The analysis suggests the emergence of new disability constituencies. This, the article argues, is starting to reshape dis-ability politics and develop new disability activism.