Disability, technology, queerness, and the use of select webtoons to demonstrate DEI concepts

Molly Cameron, University of South Carolina

Description

In Disability Studies, disability is determined not by the individual’s inherent level of ability, but by society’s choice not to accommodate differences which interfere with one’s ability to function with the world as designed. There are plenty of current, small scale examples one could use to help teach this concept, such as the normalization of glasses or access to medical support. However, comics provide a unique visual insight into the wider social implications of disability by imagining a future in which modern disabilities are accommodated, new disabilities arise due to higher standards in technology, and social stigmas shift to reflect the culture of the future. Three Webtoons: Circuits and Veins, Love Bot, and Always Human present a unique opportunity to teach audiences about the social aspect of disability and difference through technology, queerness, and the support systems we need to navigate being human.

This paper has been withdrawn.
 
Jul 18th, 2:15 PM Jul 18th, 3:15 PM

Disability, technology, queerness, and the use of select webtoons to demonstrate DEI concepts

In Disability Studies, disability is determined not by the individual’s inherent level of ability, but by society’s choice not to accommodate differences which interfere with one’s ability to function with the world as designed. There are plenty of current, small scale examples one could use to help teach this concept, such as the normalization of glasses or access to medical support. However, comics provide a unique visual insight into the wider social implications of disability by imagining a future in which modern disabilities are accommodated, new disabilities arise due to higher standards in technology, and social stigmas shift to reflect the culture of the future. Three Webtoons: Circuits and Veins, Love Bot, and Always Human present a unique opportunity to teach audiences about the social aspect of disability and difference through technology, queerness, and the support systems we need to navigate being human.