Technology has brought great solutions to the disabled and neurodivergent communities. In today’s online world, one great advantage that users have been able to take advantage of are the presence of support groups and bulletin boards where people can share knowledge and help each other succeed and overcome challenges.
Some of the groups I have mentioned below have taken forms that you wouldn’t expect, including one impressive network that is ‘in-person.’
Safety Tips for Participating in Online Communities
Before seeking out any information online, and certainly before communicating with other anonymous people, be aware that ‘catfishing’ is rampant, and there are many opportunistic and dishonest people trying to steal your identity money etc.
- Verify Information: In most of these communities, no one is verifying specific claims. Do not take anything at face value.
- Guard Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal details about your identity or any other sensitive information. This helps prevent potential misuse of your data.
- Be Skeptical of Anecdotal Evidence: What happened for one person may not happen for anyone else, and may not even be true.
- Check Credentials: Look for information shared by individuals with relevant qualifications or experiences.
- Watch for Red Flags: Be wary of users who are selling something time sensitive, are making grand claims, or have reason to benefit from action they are trying to get you to take.
- Seek Support Groups Carefully: Find groups with moderation and clear guidelines.
- Know the Limits of Online Communities: Online communities are better for encouragement, support, and sharing experiences than medical advice.
- Report Harmful Content: If you come across harmful or misleading information, including hate speech or bullying, report it to the site moderator.
- Protect Mental Health: engaging with discussions about challenging topics can sometimes be emotionally taxing. Take breaks if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
The Mighty Support Groups for Virtually Any Diagnosis
TheMighty.com is a website that aims to connect those with health challenges to others so that they may share strength and hope. This site seems to focus on mental health issues, as CEO Mike Porath was inspired to create the site by their personal experience navigating online for the “sea of questions” that came along with their young daughter’s rare diagnosis. Mike found that the personal accounts he received when he finally connected with others who had been through the same trials and tribulations were often filled with hope and humor, and greatly helped him.
The Mighty’ message board covers a wide range of topics, including disabilities but also including discussions of pets and Christianity. The groups can be found here.
Dragon Dictation Software Forums
One of the most commonly used software in our line of work is Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation software. This powerful and flexible software developed by the Nuance software company, has allowed many disabled people to control their computers and mobile devices and unlock functionalities previously unknown to them.
Dragon has a lot of programmable capabilities, and a community of users has sprung up that is hosted on the Knowbrainer site.
Spinal Cord Injury ‘In-Person’ Support Groups
On SpinalCord.com, there is a state-by-state listing of ‘in-person’ spinal cord injury support groups. According to the site, these groups strive to unite survivors on their road to recovery. Having the proper support from not only family and friends, but also those who are in a similar situation is extremely important when coping with an injury and living a happy life post-injury.
Wrong Planet: Aspergers & Autism Support Community
The site WrongPlanet.net is the web community designed for individuals (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. They provide a moderated discussion forum, where members communicate with each other, as well as a selection of articles.
Reddit, has to be mentioned because there’s so much information, but I do so almost reluctantly. The reason for my reluctance is that there is a ton of both good and bad on Reddit, and much of it is unmoderated.
However, any diagnosis will have some kind of support system on Reddit, and if you are able to stay away from unhelpful information, there is certainly a lot to be learned and gained from this site.
In addition to the safety guidelines listed above, for Reddit here are a couple of crucial additions:
Use Established Subreddits: Stick to well-known and reputable subreddits related to recovery from injury, overcoming disabilities, or managing neurodiversity. These are more likely to have established guidelines and a more informed community.
Getting Assistive Technology or Ergonomic Help for a Disability or Neurodivergent Diagnosis
If you are in the Pacific northwest and need help implementing assistive technology or ergonomic solutions to work or live, Northwest Ergonomics & Assistive Technology can help, visit us here: https://www.northwestergo.com/
About the Author
Doug Lear is an Assistive Technology Specialist at Northwest Ergonomics & Assistive Technology, which is located throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Pacific Northwest. Although Doug has worked for over 20 years in vocational rehabilitation, his passion lies in Assistive Technology. Doug enjoys working with technology, but most of all, he enjoys helping people.