Communities of practice on WhatsApp: A tool for promoting citizenship among students with visual impairments

Abstract

Visual impairments (VIs) impose many barriers to people when it comes to information access, and educational processes may offer tools for people to overcome these barriers and, consequently, develop autonomy and an active sense of citizenship. In these processes, information and communication technologies (ICTs) improve accessibility. Our aim was to use ICT, especially social media, in pedagogical activities developed for students with VI (blindness and low vision). Focus group interviews about technology use showed us that these students are heavy users of WhatsApp, an instant messenger app. We then established an online discussion group, as a community of practice, using WhatsApp as a discussion environment. This online group helped Brazilian students with VI develop social skills and discuss health issues they considered important to them.