The Internet’s Empowering and Disempowering Qualities: Online (Re)presentation of Disabled Parents

Abstract

The virtual sphere has the potential to provide space for different groups to voice their thoughts and opinions and in this paper we report on findings based on analysis of the virtual discourse about disabled parents in Iceland. The virtual discourse is shaped by the deficit understanding of disability and disabled parents are commonly viewed as unable and unfit to care for children. Disabled people in Iceland have not carved out a virtual space for advocating their rights for family life and parenthood and the disability movement has remained silent on this issue. In this paper we explore the disempowering and empowering qualities of the Internet in relation to the discourse on disability and parenthood and argue for the need for information and formal advocacy.Keywords: disability; parenthood; discourse; virtual sphere; empowerment; disempowerment