AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

People with disabilities have the same aspirations for friendship, participation and
recognition as other people (Watson, 2002; Soderstrom, 2011). Young people with
physical disabilities have lower social participation opportunities across a range of
domains (Imms, 2008; Fauconnier et al., 2009; Parkes, McCullough & Madden, 2010;
Raghavendra, Olsson, Sampson, McInerney & Connell, 2012a) so it is important to
consider opportunities for social participation and inclusion through digital
technology. Soderstrom (2009) suggests the long distance social ties of disabled
young people are enriched through the use of social media. Seymour and Lupton
(2004) suggest being online may have benefits for addressing the complex issues for
social participation faced by people with physical disabilities by offering
opportunities to build and enrich relationships beyond the confines of temporal,
spatial and physical challenges and was invaluable in helping to
“maintain and develop significant friendships” (p. 299)
and manage intimate relationships. Priestley (2003) says,
“Participation in youth culture involves the maintenance of peer friendship
networks and close personal relationships. Yet there may be many physical
and social barriers to such relationships for young disabled people” (p. 91)
Many people with physical disabilities find it difficult to keep in touch with old
acquaintances as they move through their life. Kirk (2008) explored the perceptions of
young people aged 8-19 years with complex healthcare needs in relation to various
issues but with a particular focus on transitions. She found participants felt
“feelings of loss because of their relationships with trusted professionals
coming to an end” (p. 571).
The perceptions of transition for people with disabilities into adult services is often
overlooked when they have complex communication needs and they can be excluded
from transition planning with little attention given to their friendship and leisure needs
and often enter a period of loneliness as they lose contact with peers (Rabiee,
Priestley & Knowles, 2001; Beresford, 2004).
The internet and online social media is incredibly popular within youth populations
and is shown to support friendships and offer opportunities for sharing intimate and
candid information that enriches peer relationships. As people with physical
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