Facebook experiences of visually impaired students: A deconstruction of the challenges and benefits

Abstract

This study explores the motivation for usage, benefits, and strategies to overcoming the challenges visually impaired people face in their Facebook interactions. Using in-depth interviews and a narrative analysis of five visually impaired students at the University of Cape Coast, we found that Facebook usage among visually impaired students, although unique in experiences and gratifications, has promoted the formation and strengthening of their social bonds in the community of visually impaired people and their significant other. However, the visually impaired students face significant challenges with interpreting the pictures and videos they encounter on Facebook because screen reader software currently in use cannot interpret graphical content forcing them to rely on their sighted friends which have created independence and privacy issues. Despite these challenges, Facebook remains a powerful communication tool for visually impaired students in interacting with both their disabled and non-disabled friends whom they would normally shy away from in person.

Facebook usage and quality of life of individuals with visual impairments

“…Furthermore, perceived social support has been connected to quality of life through a negative correlation with depression (Gençöz & Özlale, 2004). It is possible that since online communication fosters weak-tie connections (Ellison & boyd, 2013;Ellison et al, 2007;Quainoo et al, 2021), communication on Facebook does not foster trust which would make users feel that social support would be available if needed. Conversely, research on sighted individuals showed that communication on social networking sites had a long-term positive effect on life satisfaction (Dienlin et al, 2017).…”

“…It is considered one of the most accessible social network sites by users with disability and has offered them a degree of access that was not possible in other social network sites before (Asuncion et al, 2012;Quainoo et al, 2021). However, it is worth noting that individuals with congenital visual impairment have been more satisfied with Facebook compared to individuals with adventitious impairment (Quainoo et al, 2021). Even though Facebook still presents accessibility challenges to individuals with visual impairment (Babu, 2014; S. M. Lee et al, 2014;Nobre et al, 2018;Quainoo et al, 2021), the cooperation between its creators and the American Foundation of the Blind (Enajeh et al, 2018) showed its commitment to ameliorate.…”

“…However, it is worth noting that individuals with congenital visual impairment have been more satisfied with Facebook compared to individuals with adventitious impairment (Quainoo et al, 2021). Even though Facebook still presents accessibility challenges to individuals with visual impairment (Babu, 2014; S. M. Lee et al, 2014;Nobre et al, 2018;Quainoo et al, 2021), the cooperation between its creators and the American Foundation of the Blind (Enajeh et al, 2018) showed its commitment to ameliorate. Moreover, Facebook provides information about accessibility in its help center (Facebook, n.d.) and a page about new accessibility features where feedback by users is welcome (Facebook Accessibility, 2012).…”

“…Contrary to popular belief, communication on social network sites does not limit face-to-face communication, but actually reinforces it (Dienlin et al, 2017; Pacheco et al, 2018). Evidently, many weak connections would be lost without the advantages they offer (Ellison & boyd, 2013; Ellison et al, 2007; Quainoo et al, 2021). Some individuals with visual impairment feel that online interaction enhanced their social participation and helped them fight negative feelings of loneliness and isolation (Okonji et al, 2015).…”

“…The most popular social network site for people with disability (Asuncion et al, 2012; Raghavendra et al, 2012) and for people with visual impairment (Brinkley & Tabrizi, 2013; Martiniello et al, 2012; Vashistha et al, 2015), specifically, is Facebook. It is considered one of the most accessible social network sites by users with disability and has offered them a degree of access that was not possible in other social network sites before (Asuncion et al, 2012; Quainoo et al, 2021). However, it is worth noting that individuals with congenital visual impairment have been more satisfied with Facebook compared to individuals with adventitious impairment (Quainoo et al, 2021).…”