The document discusses using social media for advocacy, community connections, and job seeking within the disability community. It provides goals and strategies for each area, such as sharing content to raise awareness for advocacy, finding local organizations to collaborate with for community connections, and displaying skills and following companies of interest for job seeking. It also provides resources for accessing technology and additional links to disability blogs and news sites.
1. Social Media in the
Disability Community
Connecting Communities Coalition
General Membership Meeting
November 15, 2012
2. Communication today
62% of adults worldwide now use social media. 22% of
time online is spent on sites like Facebook and Twitter.
61% use LinkedIn as their primary professional networking
site. (There are 2 million companies on LinkedIn.)
Social network users surpassed the number of email users
in July 2009: 820 million social network users compared to
800 million email users.
25% of Google search returns are user-generated content.
1 million new accounts are added to Twitter every day.
3. What Does This Mean for You?
Social media is a valuable tool for:
◦ Sharing content that will help you become a
respected advocate.
◦ Connecting with your community.
◦ Engaging with employers.
6. Advocacy
Social Media Goals:
◦ SHARE content to raise awareness of your
message.
◦ CONNECT with other advocates.
◦ ESTABLISH yourself as a leader in the field.
7. Advocacy
Search for
organizations that
support your cause and
“Like” their pages.
Participate in online
discussions, or share
content like photos,
videos, or links.
Interact with decision
makers – city
commissioners,
legislators, etc.
8. Advocacy
Search for other
advocates (including
organizations) that are
talking about your cause.
@ = a person. (Ex:
@kyliefoster)
# = a subject. If you
search for #disability, you
will be directed to a list of
tweets that include that
hashtag, which
presumably have
something to do with the
subject of disability.
9. Advocacy
Write about notable
subjects surrounding
your cause.
Example: If you are
particularly
passionate about the
subject of inclusion,
you might write blog
posts about steps to
build an inclusive
community, or ways
to outreach to
communities of color.
10. Advocacy
CAITLIN WOOD
Blogger at Where’s Lulu?
“I started Where's Lulu
because I saw/see a dearth
of blogs relating to disability
culture and activism. I
didn't see my voice
represented in media and
still don't. I was motivated
to find an avenue to express
my opinions, share
information and hopefully
build community.”
11. Advocacy
Connect professionally
with organizations who do
work surrounding your
cause.
Share your content (blog
posts, etc.) with a
professional network.
Reach out to professionals
who are looking for
community involvement
opportunities – especially
effective if your group
needs a volunteer with a
particular skill set.
12. Community Connections
Goals:
◦ FIND organizations in your area that are
working on projects of interest to you.
◦ BUILD a network of individuals to collaborate
with.
◦ LEARN about upcoming projects or groups in
your area that could translate into open
positions to apply for.
13. Community Connections
“Like” the Facebook
pages of
organizations or
groups you are
interested in
collaborating with.
Post valuable links
to events, blog
posts, videos, etc.
14. Community Connections
Search for local
movers and shakers
and follow their
accounts.
Tweet useful links to
important information
or events in your
area.
Use hashtags and
usernames where
possible!
15. Community Connections
Write about notable
subjects surrounding
your immediate area.
Find other prominent
blogs to collaborate
with. Share content
with other bloggers!
Use your blog as a
vehicle for getting
community support
or input.
16. Community Connections
Join a LinkedIn group
for professionals in
your community.
Many will be involved
in outside projects or
groups.
Search for prominent
organizations doing
good things in your
community.
17. Job Seeking
Goals:
◦ FIND open positions that fit your skill set and
professional goals.
◦ BUILD a network of professionals in the
industry you work in.
◦ CONNECT with employers online.
◦ DISPLAY your skills in a searchable format.
18. Job Seeking
“Like” the Facebook pages of
companies or organizations
you are interested in working
with.
Share their content when
you find it interesting and
relevant to you.
Interact with them: “Like”
their posts, answer their
questions. Become part of
their community – and gain
knowledge about their
company!
19. Job Seeking
Follow the accounts of
companies or organizations
you want to work for.
Respond to their tweets, Re-
Tweet (RT) your favorites.
Find current employees of
the company and interact
with them online.
(Exercise caution when using
this tactic. Interacting with
current employees can be a
great tool, just keep it
professional and not too
frequent.)
20. Job Seeking
Write about notable
subjects surrounding
your industry. Share
on your other sites!
Find other prominent
blogs to collaborate
with. Share content
with other bloggers.
Use your blog as a
vehicle for displaying
your knowledge
about your industry.
21. Job Seeking
Join a LinkedIn group
for professionals in
your industry.
Follow companies you’d
like to work for.
Create a resume that is
searchable – meaning
employers can find you
based on your skill set.
Share content that will
help you establish
yourself as an industry
expert.
22. Accessing technology
FreeGeek - Free Geek’s mission is to recycle
technology and provide access to computers, the
internet, education and job skills in exchange for
community service. (503) 232.9350
Independent Living Resources – use their
community computer lab.
Multnomah Co. Libraries – Most library locations
have an accessible computer as well as standard
desktops for community members to use.
Portland State University ATC Computer Lab –
open on a drop-in basis.
23. Additional links to check out
GimpGirl blog. www.gimpgirl.com
Where’s Lulu? blog. www.whereslulu.com
Disability Scoop. www.disabilityscoop.com