http://www.housingot.co.uk/page2.htm
This blog is about sharing ideas about housing modifications online. People are able to post messages on the website and also answer other people concerns and ideas. It is a website created for not only occupational therapist but also builder, users, family member etc. It also explains what an Occupational therapist job is and what sort of things they can do to make life easier in the home. e.g. raise chairs.
The website provides links to similar websites about housing. It also provides links to journal articles on housing and new ideas for housing adaptations. This site is very interactive as anyone can post a comment on the website. This is a good way for public and health workers to contribute to the site.
The reason for people choosing to contribute to this community could be that it could compliment real life communities, it can provide large amounts of information, it can provide connections over great distances instantly, it gives the person the ability to connect with people with similar interests/needs/ concerns and also can foster an understanding and unity.
The Disabled Living Foundation have, today, launched "Bathing Made Easy " - the first free, impartial online database where you can search for and compare bathing and shower equipment and adaptations. You can choose up to 4 items and compare them side by side. It includes cost, dimensions, diagrams and national suppliers.
I'm sure that this database will be of huge help to occupational therapists and to anyone wishing to find and compare different items.
As time goes by, the site will develop, including other categories of equipment and adaptations as well as bathing. Another of the unique features of the site seems to be the option of people reviewing items that they have used, as a guide for others looking.
The guide will be of benefit to people who may be choosing to use direct payments to buy their own equipment, rather than choosing to accept what the local authority may be offering. It will also be able to be used to complement the information available from your own occupational therapist. Why not use it to explore options and ask them questions about your ideas?
Potential ethical issues that may arise in this community could be that lack of identity of participants in the blog. For example the people who leave messages as access is open to public to leave messages. Also the accountability of the posting posted on the site. Rapid growth may result in unwanted or unperceived changes and it also has limited communication tools.
The benefits that an online community holds over a traditional community are that it can provide connections over great distances instantly, it gives the person the ability to connect with people with similar interests/needs/ concerns and also can foster an understanding and unity.
The negative features of an online community compared to a traditional community are the limited communication tools and delusional reliance of virtual communities. Also the unknown of who sustains the community.