Narrating Digital Access, Trauma, and Disability Through Comics and Image Description in Denmark
Big congrats to lab member Barbara Nino Carreras & lab alum Brit Ross Winthereik who have recently published an article in the Journal of Medical Anthropology: Cross-Cultural Studies in Health and Illness
Barbara writes the following about the article:
The article is based on a research collaboration with Landsforeningen af Væresteder. Through the creation of comics and image descriptions with six research collaborators—Ann, Inge, Sofie, Annemarie, Allan, and Tina-Lykke—we explore how these collaborators experience the digital drop-in center (det digitale værested) and public sector digitalization in Denmark.
By analyzing insights from both drawing and describing images with research collaborators, we propose this method in medical anthropology as one way to embrace disability expertise and broad accessibility.
A key takeaway from the article is that digital services can be extremely beneficial to people who experience social anxiety, especially when supported by interpersonal relations of care, respect, and safety. Research collaborators emphasize the importance of being able to choose between digital or in-person services. Using the digital drop-in center as an example (det digitale værested), we learned that what makes this space particularly safe and accessible is the flexibility and boundaries of the online community, as well as the daily activities and moderation by employees working at the association (Landsforeningen af Væresteder). Collaborators who do not feel confident using digital technologies, feel they have the space and support to learn how to use digital platforms at their preferred pace.
The full article can be accessed here.
