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Enhancing universal access: deaf and hard of hearing people on social networking sites

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Abstract

Despite numerous studies into the online activities of deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) users, there has been limited research into their experiences on social networking sites (SNSs), a domain where psychology and computer science intersects. The purpose of this study is to illustrate how one can enhance universal access for D/HH users on the example of SNSs. A model for examining the experiences and preferences of D/HH users of SNSs has been proposed. The model consists of three identity-relevant aspects: (1) belonging to online Deaf communities, (2) communication affinity/preferences for sign and/or written language, and (3) the stigma associated with hearing loss. Based on these aspects, a questionnaire was developed and applied to a study with 46 participants. The findings revealed that the motivation to communicate on SNSs is positively associated with identification with online Deaf communities, an affinity for communication in written language and an affinity/preference for communication in sign language. Better reading comprehension skills, crucial for written communication, are associated with less stigmatic experiences with regard to hearing loss. The model and the findings of this study can help improve understanding D/HH users’ online social interactions and can be used for educational purposes. It may contribute to the discussion of integrating SNSs as communication tools in personal learning environments, which can be an advantage for universal access.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Ljubljana School for the Deaf in Slovenia and the Slovenian Deaf and Hard of Hearing Associations for participating in this study. This work was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency [1000-11-310140].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Ines Kožuh & Matjaž Debevc

  2. Department for Special Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, University of Education Heidelberg, Keplerstrasse 87, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Manfred Hintermair

  3. Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Andreas Holzinger

  4. School of Journalism and Communication, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Zala Volčič

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  1. Ines Kožuh
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  2. Manfred Hintermair
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  4. Zala Volčič
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  5. Matjaž Debevc
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Correspondence to Ines Kožuh.

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Kožuh, I., Hintermair, M., Holzinger, A. et al. Enhancing universal access: deaf and hard of hearing people on social networking sites. Univ Access Inf Soc 14, 537–545 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-014-0354-3

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