Deconstructing social exclusions: The practice of digital activities among disabled people in China. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Liu
• Other Names: Steinberg Marc guest-editor.; Mukherjee Rahul guest-editor.; Punathambekar Aswin guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Media, culture, and society. Volume 44:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1588
• Page End: 1601
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: digital activism -- disabled people -- iceberg model -- prejudice -- social media; Mass media and culture -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Wireless communication systems -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 302.2305
• DOI: 10.1177/01634437221129800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4437

Abstract

This study focuses on the experiences of disabled individuals in online activism in the context of China. Adopting the social model of disability, this study found an iceberg structure consisting of two levels and three layers. The explicit level included observed labels, attitudes and legislation. The implicit level involved both social and internalized stereotypes. These three layers of social structures interacted with each other and together brought about social exclusion into being. Adopting the social model as an organizing principle represents a starting point to alter social patterns and possibly change social isolation.