A purposeful rebuilding: YouTube, representation, accessibility and the socio-political space of disability

YouTube, which has provided opportunities to some people with disabilities while excluding others, highlights the importance of a cultural conversation about the future of telecommunications in relation to both content and the medium of transmission. As disability cultural movement emerged in the 1990s, activists, academics and media producers argued that people with disability should be in charge of their own image. The representation of disability in the media and how disability theorists have suggested this should change in order to improve the social position of people with disability. It allows for different types of representations and encourages discussions. YouTube's recent focus on accessibility reveals that impairment and disability are crucial factors influencing whether people with disability can access this technology.