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5 Things People With Disabilities Look For In Social Media

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The recent turmoil with Twitter has prompted many online disabled people to think more deeply about what they really need and want from social media platforms.

Anxiety and debate over the direction of Twitter under Elon Musk’s ownership is affecting nearly every corner of Twitter, and of all online communities. Users and business partners wonder about Musk’s ability to manage the company and the application itself with a drastically reduced staff pushed to its limits. And many inside and outside Twitter’s user base worry about whether Musk’s purported “free speech absolutist” approach will make Twitter even more toxic than it has sometimes been in the past. Will Twitter become a liberating bastion of free expression? Or, as a recent Vox.com article suggests it might, will it devolve into “an even more intense cesspool of negative content than it already is?” This is an even more of a concern for marginalized groups that are vulnerable to bullying and various forms of prejudice, such as racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, xenophobia – and ableism, too.

#DisabilityTwitter in its various forms and communities has been particularly on edge, and in something of a holding pattern. A November 11 Time article notes that, “For people with disabilities who’d found an emotional support system on Twitter, anxiety over Musk’s upheaval was especially sharp.”

That’s partly because Twitter has been unusually well suited to disabled users and disability communities. Over time and gradual refinement, it became remarkably accessible to people with disabilities as online platforms go – though never of course completely accessible. Twitter has also served as a “megaphone” for disabled voices and disability issues. And despite social media’s reputation as a polarizing and isolating force in modern culture, Twitter arguably increased and enriched disabled people’s connections with wider society.

“Many people with disabilities use Twitter to organize, fundraise and run businesses,” notes Amanda Morris in the Washington Post. And Disabled blogger Imani Barbarin writes, “Platforms like Twitter helped us to feel less alone and gaslit by our experiences and allowed us to contextualize our experiences in a way that gave us peace.”

With so many aspects of Twitter’s future feeling uncertain, now is a good time to consider what disabled people need most from social media — from Twitter, from other popular platforms, or perhaps from something that hasn’t been invented yet.

1. Accessibility

This should be an obvious and easily understood requirement. But it’s worth explaining and underlining. Disabled people need social media Interfaces that people with any kind of disability can use with relative ease.

For people with physical disabilities, including those that change or limit fine motor functions and general stamina, this includes full access to all features, with fewer clicks, minimal typing required, and usable with a variety of input devices other than standard the mouse and keyboard.

For people with sensory disabilities, like visual, hearing, and speech impairments, accessibility also means simple site layouts with less clutter, and strong and easily accessed tools for rendering content in alternative formats like audio for text, text for voice, and text descriptions for all graphics and video.

Social media platforms should also take into account cognitive and learning disabilities. Simplicity and design elegance are good for all users, but essential for people with learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, and other neurological conditions. To be truly accessible, platforms like Twitter should always strike a careful balance between offering lots of choices and sophisticated content, and overwhelming users with cool features that are too hard to learn and adapt..

2. Community

At their best, social media platforms can be places where people with disabilities can readily find information and other like-minded disabled people, unfettered by geography or the need for physical exertion to find them.

But simply exposing people with disabilities to ideas and potential friends isn’t enough. What disabled people need most is credible information, not breathlessly-delivered rumors and conspiracy theories. And they crave disability communities actual disabled people can relate to and comfortably join.

Disabled people also want to meet other disabled people, not just well-meaning but sometimes misguided non-disabled allies. This is part of a long-term trend in recent decades where people with disabilities have increasingly looked to and relied on each other, rather than just family non-disabled disability professionals. Online disability culture has accelerated this trend. Fostering true disabled peer communities of substantial size and richness is one of the greatest achievements of the social media revolution.

Disabled people on social media also look for topical and emotional variety. They want a robust mix of reliable information, positive encouragement, strong advocacy, personal support and validation – but also honest, unflinching exploration of mistreatment, exclusion, and all forms of ableism. Too much “positivity” can indeed be “toxic.” Relentless cheerleading and celebration of disabled high achievers can feel deceptive, privileged, and even discouraging. At the same time, even the harshest disabled critics and fiercest advocates need periodic doses of hope and optimism. Sometimes it helps for disability social media to generate that deliberately.

3. Emotional safety

This should also go without saying, but bears repeating. Disabled people want social media to be as free as possible from abuse and bullying.

Most disabled people already encounter more than enough ableism in “real life.” This includes includes everything from schoolyard bullying of disabled children, to workplace discrimination of disabled adults, to the kind of physical and emotional abuse that’s always a risk for people who need everyday personal care.

On top of this, the worst of online ableism can include,, but is not limited to, awkwardly taboo and more deeply offensive terminology, as well as disability-related personal attacks and insults directed at disability communities, and at specific individuals. This is one of the most immediate concerns about the new Twitter. Free speech environments with little or no moderation can easily devolve into places where few disabled people will want to spend time. Disabled people value free speech and diverse opinions as much as anyone else. But most also value atmospheres in which both overt and subtle forms of ableist pestering and bullying are at the very least consistently discouraged rather than defended.

Of course, there is also a difficult gray area between offensive, harmful dialog, and sincere, well-intentioned – but also wrongheaded, annoying and wearying – disagreement or advice. Most disabled people want to hear contrary opinions. And it can be valuable to know what non-disabled people are really thinking, underneath politie euphemisms.

But some questions and ideas about disability are more than just irritating. For example, asking or demanding a disabled person online to explain every detail of their disability can read more like aggression or intimidation than as a request for enlightenment. And repeatedly suggesting that disabled people are better off dead, or that society is better off with fewer disabled people, has little value in spurring debate or diversity of opinion. They read as existential threats and create lasting emotional wounds.

4. Emotional sustainability

Disabled people online want to be challenged, stimulated, and engaged. But on some platforms they often find themselves bogged down by a flood of pestering and annoyances. This includes demands for unpaid emotional labor – like being asked over and over again, every day, to “educate” others for free on disability issues – or being exposed to hundreds of other people’s pain, then criticized for not consistently responding in just the right way.

Persistent questions about disability basics, and rehashed ableist arguments can also cause widespread burnout in online disability communities. For instance, it’s exhausting to be constantly challenged by contrarians and pot-stirrers to prove your own disability, or the existence and importance of ableism. And while advice is usually offered with good intentions, it can be exhausting to be repeatedly lectured by non-disabled people about how they think disabled people should handle disability discrimination, inaccessibility, bureaucratic problems, and everyday encounters with ableism.

Minimizing these many points of friction in online communities, while not micromanaging dialog or “tone policing” disability discourse is one of the most difficult but important challenges for any social media platform. Disability discourse online should be rich, lively, and inclusive, but also just plain pleasant enough to keep disabled people engaged and energized.

5. Visibility

One of the best things about Twitter has been that disabled people were able to meet, share, vent, and organize as distinct communities, but in plain sight of influential people outside the disability community. Disabled people crave a degree of privacy and kinship exclusively among disabled people. But at the same time they don’t want to be sequestered away where nobody else knows what they are thinking, doing, and working for.

Disabled people need social media platforms that expose politicians, government officials, management in business and non-profit sectors, academics, policymakers, and journalists to disability culture and priorities. Disabled people also want platforms that amplify their individual work beyond the disability community, and effectively boost their creative, business, and career opportunities.

Exactly how to deliver all of these qualities isn’t obvious. Twitter never completely delivered them. But it’s a challenge open to both Twitter under its new ownership, all other existing social media platforms, and anyone else with the ambition to start from scratch.

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Sutherland House Experts Book Publishing Launches To Empower Quiet Experts

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Sutherland House Experts is Empowering Quiet Experts through
Compelling Nonfiction in a Changing Ideas Landscape

TORONTO, ON — Almost one year after its launch, Sutherland House Experts is reshaping the publishing industry with its innovative co-publishing model for “quiet experts.” This approach, where expert authors share both costs and profits with the publisher, is bridging the gap between expertise and public discourse. Helping to drive this transformation is Neil Seeman, a renowned author, educator, and entrepreneur.

“The book publishing world is evolving rapidly,” publisher Neil Seeman explains. “There’s a growing hunger for expert voices in public dialogue, but traditional channels often fall short. Sutherland House Experts provides a platform for ‘quiet experts’ to share their knowledge with the broader book-reading audience.”

The company’s roster boasts respected thought leaders whose books are already gaining major traction:

• V. Kumar Murty, a world-renowned mathematician, and past Fields Institute director, just published “The Science of Human Possibilities” under the new press. The book has been declared a 2024 “must-read” by The Next Big Ideas Club and is receiving widespread media attention across North America.

• Eldon Sprickerhoff, co-founder of cybersecurity firm eSentire, is seeing strong pre-orders for his upcoming book, “Committed: Startup Survival Tips and Uncommon Sense for First-Time Tech Founders.”

• Dr. Tony Sanfilippo, a respected cardiologist and professor of medicine at Queen’s University, is generating significant media interest with his forthcoming book, “The Doctors We Need: Imagining a New Path for Physician Recruitment, Training, and Support.”

Seeman, whose recent and acclaimed book, “Accelerated Minds,” explores the entrepreneurial mindset, brings a unique perspective to publishing. His experience as a Senior Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and academic affiliations with The Fields Institute and Massey College, give him deep insight into the challenges faced by people he calls “quiet experts.”

“Our goal is to empower quiet, expert authors to become entrepreneurs of actionable ideas the world needs to hear,” Seeman states. “We are blending scholarly insight with market savvy to create accessible, impactful narratives for a global readership. Quiet experts are people with decades of experience in one or more fields who seek to translate their insights into compelling non-fiction for the world,” says Seeman.

This fall, Seeman is taking his insights to the classroom. He will teach the new course, “The Writer as Entrepreneur,” at the University of Toronto, offering aspiring authors practical tools to navigate the evolving book publishing landscape. To enroll in this new weekly night course starting Tuesday, October 1st, visit:
https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/courses/4121-writer-entrepreneur

“The entrepreneurial ideas industry is changing rapidly,” Seeman notes. “Authors need new skills to thrive in this dynamic environment. My course and our publishing model provide those tools.”

About Neil Seeman:
Neil Seeman is co-founder and publisher of Sutherland House Experts, an author, educator, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. He holds appointments at the University of Toronto, The Fields Institute, and Massey College. His work spans entrepreneurship, public health, and innovative publishing models.

Follow Neil Seeman:
https://www.neilseeman.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seeman/

Follow Sutherland House Experts:

https://sutherlandhouseexperts.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sutherlandhouseexperts/

Media Inquiries:
Sasha Stoltz | Sasha@sashastoltzpublicity.com | 416.579.4804
https://www.sashastoltzpublicity.com

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What to stream this weekend: ‘Civil War,’ Snow Patrol, ‘How to Die Alone,’ ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘Uglies’

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Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.

— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.

— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”

AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”

— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.

AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.

Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday on Hulu.

— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.

— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.

Alicia Rancilio

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.

— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is … well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.

Lou Kesten

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Trump could cash out his DJT stock within weeks. Here’s what happens if he sells

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Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.

Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.

Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.

Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.

Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.

Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.

As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.

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