Communities Groups Clubs

What is Social Networking?

Social networking, we have all likely heard of it before, but not everyone knows what it means? If you were asked to define what social networking was, would you be able to give an accurate definition. Unfortunately, most individuals cannot, even though it is likely that they participate in some form of social networking community, especially online.

Social networking is defined as the grouping of individuals together into to specific groups, often like a small community or a neighborhood. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in schools or in the workplace, it is most popular online in websites with message boards or forums and community groups. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions, if not more, of individuals who are looking to meet other internet users and develop friendships.

Today you will find many variations of health and disability community networking websites online.

When it comes to social networking online, websites are used. These websites are known as social networking websites. Social networking websites are, in a way, like an online community of internet users. Depending on the social networking website in question, many of these online community members share a common bond, whether that bond be disabilities, health, hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profiles or profile pages of other members or even contacting them and joining in on their discussion boards.

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity. Unlike in most schools or workplaces, the internet gives individuals, from all around the world, access to community networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Japan. Not only will you make a new friend, you but may also learn a thing or two about a new culture.

As previously mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular Internets, there are others that do not. These websites are often deemed traditional social networking websites. These types of websites typically have an open membership. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends; thus eliminating others that do not meet your criteria.

If networking on the internet sounds like something you would be interested in, you are encouraged to learn more about it, such as the dangers of social networking. These dangers often involve online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists with networking out in the real world. As when you are meeting friends at a bar, school, or work, you are advised to proceed with caution online. By being aware of your surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able safely enjoying social networking online. Once you have learned everything that you feel you need to learn, about social networking online, you can begin to search for networking communities to join.

Disability Groups and Clubs - If you are a bit unsure of how you might find fun activities near you, you could try a local social club. These are very good to join because you can do something you enjoy and get to know other people at the same time.

Clubs and groups are provided for seniors and the disabled with all types of disabilities including  stroke clubs, deaf, blind, amputee, wheelchair users, autistic, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, and head injuries etc. Many clubs and disability groups cater to people with various levels of disability and age groups in which volunteers teach skills useful for independent living and integration into society while providing them with an opportunity to interact socially with other people.

Our Disabled World health and disability community reviews listed below will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice as to which online community would suit you best. Disabled World also runs a free disability community with message boards you may be interested in joining.

Further Information Regarding Communities Groups Clubs

Mosaic - Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Advocacy is very much a part of what Mosaic is involved in. They advocate both with and for persons with disabilities to ensure that they have the ability to choose from appropriate supports, have the opportunities to defend their rights, as well as the freedom to express their opinions.

The ANCOR Foundation
The ANCOR Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization that was created to support the development of programs and to disseminate information which improves the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

My Child Without Limits - United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), today announced the launch of My Child Without Limits (MyChildWithoutLimits.org), UCP's pioneering initiative that provides parents of children with disabilities an online resource with critical information that also connects parents to a vital social network of parents of newly diagnosed children ages 0 to 5.

Enable America Expands Operations in Raleigh, North Carolina
Enable America, the non-profit devoted to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, is expanding operations in Raleigh, North Carolina. A number of prominent Raleigh businesses have agreed to take part in the organization's employee mentoring programs.

Community Groups Key to Good Health
The quality of a person's social life could have an even greater impact than diet and exercise on their health and well-being. There is growing evidence that being a member of a social group can significantly reduce the risk of conditions like stroke, dementia and even the common cold.

Livewire Siblings Community
Livewire, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children's Foundation, today launched Livewire Siblings, a new online community, where young people aged over 10 and under 21, who have a brother or sister living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability can support and connect with one another.

Disability.gov - Disability-related Programs and Services
The new Web site integrates content from 22 federal agencies and will be managed by the Labor Department. The former DisabilityInfo.gov site was revamped with social media tools to encourage interaction and feedback, and new ways to organize, share and receive information. Visitors can sign up for personalized news and updates, participate in online discussions and suggest resources for the site.

Best Buddies - Building Intellectual Disability Friendships
Best Buddies joins people together as a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to establishing volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships. The organization also promotes integrated employment and leadership development for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities Website
The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) website is a provincial, cross-disability site in British Columbia that presents information on a variety of topics relevant to persons with disabilities. The BCCPD has been working towards their goals for greater than thirty years to raise awareness of issues which affect the lives of persons with disabilities and to secure the income and supports needed by us to live with dignity.

Radio Bug - Disability Internet Radio
Radio Bug presents music, resources, and subjects of interest to both persons with disabilities and nondisabled persons through Internet broadcasting. There are valuable sources of information related to disability organizations available through three different categories on the site.

Center on Disability and Community Inclusion and UCEDD
The Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI), at The University of Vermont, in collaboration and coordination with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and communities, will promote opportunities for valued life outcomes for individuals with disabilities of all ages in all facets of community life.

Wheelchair Pride: More Than Just Another Wheelchair Blog
Wheelchair Pride is a new blog which has just been released by Gene and Galina Emmer, the folks behind RehaDesign Wheelchair Products. But wheelchair pride is more than just a blog. It is a movement.

Parkinson's Disease Support Groups Grow
For individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, self-care and education are crucial for dealing with the progression of the disease, and support groups provide an important component for this self-care, according to the National Parkinson Foundation, which is observing Parkinson's Awareness Month in April.

Accessible Web Site for the Deaf Community
Yfactor, a leading provider of multi-site content management solutions (CMS) for the non-profit sector, announced the June 4, 2008 launch of an accessible Web site for the Deaf Culture Centre of Toronto.

Ringler Radio Releases Latest Production to Disability Community
"Our mission is to organize the disability community, defined broadly, so that we have more power politically, socially and economically. Our goal is to move people with disabilities to the middle class, and reduce the number of disabled people living below the poverty level. The disability community is currently 54 million or one of every six Americans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This group is three times more likely to live below the poverty level, and their average income is about half that of people without disabilities."

Australian Community Site for Parents Raising Kids with Autism Spectrum
1 in 160 Australian children have an autism spectrum disorder. The parents raising those children often report a lack of online information specific to the Australian local experience. Intended to assist and support Australian families and professionals by providing quality assured parenting information and resources, and improving connections between families, professionals, and services, a web site will deliver Australian specific information that parents can access, as their information needs require.

Seniors Overcoming Loneliness at Home
While most everyone has experienced loneliness at some point, it's today's seniors who are most likely to feel alone. The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health In Aging's Aging in the Know Web site notes that elderly people who live alone, often due to the death of a spouse, usually prefer to remain living that way for as long as possible. These seniors are more likely to feel lonelier and more isolated than those who live with others.

Healthlink Worldwide Health and Disability Community Communication
Healthlink Worldwide is the specialist health and development agency that empowers through communication. They work to improve the health and well being of disadvantaged communities in developing countries. Healthlink Worldwide provides expertise in communication, knowledge management and learning. We work with organizations and institutions at all levels, from local and national NGOs to national and international decision making bodies.

Disability Community Inclusion
There is increasing recognition of the value of actively involving people with disabilities in planning and implementing community-based rehabilitation programs. At the same time, it has been recognized that disability issues and people living with disabilities need to be included in mainstream development programs if these programs are to have a real impact on reducing poverty.

Disabled World Seeks Bloggers for Disability Community
Disabled World, the world's leading web site on disabilities, is seeking expressions of interest from qualified writers of disability and health blogs to create their own blog using wordpress in our disability community area.

Livewire a Disability Community for Kids
Livewire, which was launched this week, is being touted by the media as a "Facebook for sick kids" and is the first social network website of its kind in Australia. Livewire provides a safe and fun online disability community for children where members can share experiences. Like MySpace or Facebook, users can play games, access blogs and enter chatrooms.

Disabled World Disability Community Information
A press release about Disabled World written on February 21st, 2009 by Thomas C. Weiss, M.A. One of the things that many people with disabilities like me want from a Disability Website is a community to participate in that includes others who experience disability as well.

Disabled World Opens New Disability Community
Online community for persons with disabilities, Disabled Word, announced today the opening of their new online community for people with disabilities and health problems.

Social Networking Communities are Popular
Do you use the internet on a regular basis? If you do, there is a good chance that you have heard of websites like MySpace, FriendFinder, Classmates, or Yahoo! 360. What do all of these websites have in common? They are known as social networking websites. Social networking websites, over the past few years, have rapidly increased in popularity, so much that many are wondering why.

Disability Community List
List of online disability community and social networking websites for the disabled and health impaired around the world.

Disability Community not Just for Disabled
Today, it is great to see the number of disability community websites that cater for persons with disabilities increasing and covering all types of health conditions, ages, and facets of community life.