AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

ased advisory service on technologies for inclusion and accessibility, who run an
Online Accessibility Self Evaluation Service (OASES) which describes itself on their
website as a free online tool that can,
“help staff in different roles understand and appreciate their influence on
inclusive accessible practices”
http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/news/detail/2011/OASES_Award
5.8. Consequences
The Consequences box of the grounded theory illustrates consequences that occur
when the central phenomenon of desire to use the internet and online social media is
enacted. Again the observation outlined earlier by Craddock (2006) (section 5.5) is of
relevance as he states people are
“more likely to describe the benefits or otherwise, the effects, the purposes” (p.22)
of a technological device if asked how it is used within their lives. This study found
being online was self-reported to offer perceived benefits in areas such as selfdetermination,
self-representation, social capital (bonding, maintaining and bridging
social ties), reduced isolation, building resilience and possible dating opportunities.
5.8.1. Self-determination
Self-determination was identified by Milner and Kelly (2009) as one of five
fundamental antecedents for creating a sense of community participation by people
with disabilities due to being able to use their own skills to achieve autonomy in selfchosen
activities. They identified a vital aspect for an experience to feel qualitatively
different is the degree of authorship felt. Although their research concentrates on
inclusion within a physical community, the conceptual basis they outline is suitable
for understanding some of the perceived online benefits revealed for selfdetermination
within the grounded theory of internet and online social media use by
young people who use AAC. Smith and Murray (2011) also reiterate the impact for
self-efficacy and self-determination as valuable outcome measurements for evaluating
interventions for the use of high-tech AAC technology.
In the current study, the participant descriptions of having more perceived control
over independent access to: information for academic materials, following own
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