Can The Disabled Musician Sing?
This chapter investigates uses of social media by disabled musicians/musicians with disabilities (DM/MwD). It first frames social media as assistive technology, examining how the platforms SingSnap, Bandhub, and Facebook are used by disabled musicians/musicians with disabilities to connect with others and create content. The discussion proceeds with an examination of how this content is perceived and may be (mis)represented and (mis)appropriated by nondisabled audiences. Using a viral video of Julia Maritza Ceja Medina as a critical case study, the analysis applies disability studies literature by examining how content generated by disabled musicians/musicians with disabilities can become inspiration pornography. The authors conclude by noting both the positive and problematic potentials of social media in the music learning and music making of disabled musicians/musicians with disabilities.