Helping those who can't help themselves.

They're in a wheelchair and/or have mental/physical disabilities, but as new media advances further and quicker each year, those who could not take advantage of new media are now being given the opportunity to do so, and it has also become law for the use of new media to be available for persons with disabilities under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Subpart A of Section 508 states that "...individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public information or services from a Federal agency, have access and the use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency."

A less technical variation of this passage from the Section would be: "Disabled people have the right to use technology." Why shouldn't they? They're people just like the rest of us!

How does a person with disabilities use new media? Through "assistive technology". Assistive technology is technology that helps an individual perform a task that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible for them. Something as simple and as a walker or a wheelchair can be labeled as assistive ware. In terms of new media, texting can be called assistive ware as someone who is deaf can still chat with others over their mobile phone. Someone who has limited use of their hands might use a keyboard with enlarged keys. The possibilities for disabled persons to be included in today's society through the use of new media continues to grow as more assistive technology becomes available.

edited for spelling corrections

"Luckily I had my cell phone on me at the time."

Since their introduction into society, cell phones have become an essential tool in the live of millions of Americans, and many more all around the world. While corded phones have been here for far longer, they are unable to be moved to a different location without first being made incapable of service i.e having to be unplugged from the wall outlet. Now with cell phones, people can stay in touch even when they are no where near a wall outlet as long as that location has service or "bars".

According to Henry Jenkins in his article "Eight Traits of the New Media Landscape" (Nov. 6, 2006), two of the traits he lists are Networked and Global. Cell phones have enabled communication on the go while also being crucial in emergencies. As for families, they are a way for them to stay together vocally when they are apart physically by being "Networked" together, and similar to corded phones, they are bringing "Global" geographical separations down when communication is needed.

Cellular phones do everything that corded phones do, however they are also far more convenient and accessible. A nice example of the convenience of cellular phones is after an automobile accident and those involved are unable to call for emergency help. Witnesses to the event (assuming they wish to do their civic duty) often times use their cell phones to call 911 and get the injured persons the medical care they need, and as far as anyone knows, that quick call on a cell phone when a corded phone is unavailable may save someone's life. Not only are cell phones another way for people to stay in touch, but they are also handy in an emergency (assuming the service is reliable and available) and are also becoming all-in-one packages, for example: iPhone's and Blackberry's. The convenient all-in-one package can be used as: a cell phone, and iPod, and an Internet/Web accessible computer with full keyboard and touch screen, all for a price that is becoming more and more affordable to the average member of society.