Social media and disability: filters, fails, and fabulousness

Unfortunately, social media and viral trends love a good laugh, and for a person with a disability, that’s not always a good thing. Nothing humbles you quite like a wheelchair versus cobblestones battle or a hand spasm mid-text. 

Social media loves a good “fail video”, but in our world, the “fails” are just everyday moments. It's usually hilarious and occasionally infuriating. Sharing our failures can be funny and a great way of letting the world see us living our best life - fails and all.  Besides, every viral fail deserves a triumphant comeback post.  

Let’s be honest, social media is all about those perfect moments so when you throw disability into the mix, filters can take on a whole new meaning. Whether it’s apps smoothing out our scars or cropping out mobility aids, it’s easy to wonder: Are we hiding the truth or just making life Insta-worthy? (Spoiler: Sometimes both) 

From disability pride hashtags to unapologetic selfies with aids, fabulousness is about showing up authentically. Social media gives PWD the platform to rewrite the narrative, one post at a time. After all, who better than us to show the world that fabulous comes in all forms?  

Building connections 

Social media also allows fabulous connections with others with the same disability. For me joining social media groups such as a cerebral palsy social group is a way to meet new people. 

Self-advocacy   

PWD can use social media to advocate for themselves and others with disability – whether that is to a private or a public audience.  

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have become powerful tools for individuals with disabilities to share their stories, raise awareness, and challenge societal stereotypes.  

I think social media has played a huge role in getting our name and brand out there. The Achieve social channels push the boundaries from what is common across the sector, using humour and trends in a more ‘casual’ or ‘approachable’ tone to paint the picture of who we really are.  

Achieve Australia was one of the first big service providers to create a TikTok account. This progressive move not only shows that we are willing to grow and change with the times but also unlocks a whole new (mostly younger) audience who might not otherwise have seen us. I think that it is important to work with the people we support to show them engaging with social media just as everyone else does, posting funny things, laughing, dancing and more. That’s inclusion! We always aim to keep it light, fun and authentic. 

By sharing personal experiences and perspectives, people with disabilities can educate the public about accessibility issues, discrimination, and inclusion. It is about showing our fabulousness and creating an inclusive world.  

Accessibility of social media 

Social media has become a fundamental part of modern communication, yet people with disabilities often face significant barriers when accessing and using these platforms effectively.  

Despite the promise of inclusivity, many social media platforms can fall short in providing equitable experiences for all users, creating several issues for individuals with disabilities. 

One of the primary challenges for people with disabilities on social media is the lack of proper accessibility features. For visually impaired users, many platforms fail to offer comprehensive screen reader support, alternative text for images, or captions for videos, making it difficult to engage with content.  

Similarly, individuals with hearing impairments may struggle with video content that lacks accurate closed captions or transcripts, excluding them from conversations and multimedia experiences. 

Social media platforms can have complex and visually oriented interfaces, which can be challenging for individuals with cognitive or motor impairments.  

For people with intellectual disabilities, navigating social media can be especially tricky. People with disabilities are more vulnerable to online harassment and discrimination. Negative stereotypes, ableist language, and targeted cyberbullying create a toxic environment that can lead to social isolation and mental health struggles. The lack of proper moderation tools and insufficient policies to address ableism further exacerbate this issue. 

Social media can negatively impact people with disability, especially through hate, discrimination, and lack of representation. However, it also has the power to change perspectives and build communities. Achieve Australia can help by showcasing the everyday lives of people with disability—working, building relationships, and enjoying life. By using our platform to amplify their voices, we can promote inclusion and shift perceptions. 

Social media often lacks a diverse representation of people with disabilities, leading to feelings of exclusion. When individuals with disabilities are underrepresented, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and minimises their voices in important conversations. This lack of visibility can discourage participation and advocacy efforts within digital spaces. 

Some individuals with disabilities may require assistance from caregivers or family members when using social media, leading to privacy concerns. A lack of personalised accessibility options can compromise a user’s independence, making them reliant on others for digital interaction and self-expression. 

To create a more inclusive digital space, social media platforms should prioritise universal design principles, including enhanced screen reader compatibility, customisable interfaces, and stronger content moderation policies. Encouraging the representation of people with disabilities and collaborating with accessibility advocates during platform development can further promote digital equality.  

Every platform comes with its limitations, but there are simple things we as a user can do to increase our posts accessibility. For example, making sure there are closed captions available on all our videos and capitalising the first letter of words in hashtags to make them accessible (#ThisIsAnAccessibleHashtag). 

My last word 

While social media offers immense opportunities for connection and expression, it is essential to address the accessibility challenges to ensure a more inclusive online environment where people with disabilities can participate fully and independently.