Learning in a YouTube World

Beyond Entertainment— It’s Connection, Information & More…

Probably the greatest aspect of social media is being connected to people from all over the world, doing different activities, and offering new tips on how to work smarter, not harder. YouTube made videos into tutorials on travel, cooking, gardening, welding… You name it, YouTube has it!

I started a YouTube Channel in 2010 and joined the Shield Healthcare family in 2016. Soon we saw the need to showcase how accessibility really looked— not crafted or showing only the good parts. We joined forces and started a series, “Mobility in the City” to show what cities had to offer for people living with a disability, specifically from the vantage point of someone in a wheelchair.

It was not always smooth sailings when we filmed… Like the time I flipped backwards in my wheelchair on a bus in Houston with our filmmaker, Jared, right behind me. Camera, and man, down! Or, when we arrived in Seattle only to be met with steep hills going down to our hotel making it especially difficult since I do not have brakes on my wheelchair. However, Seattle remains one of my favorite cities that we explored! Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, to name a few were featured on our series which you can explore here: Mobility In The City

As societal views continue to change, there are many more YouTube and social media personalities to learn from.

Here are a few of the ones I have watched and admire:

1. Rocky Stoutenburgh

I’m Rocky, full-time streamer on Twitch and full-time oral assassin! Welcome to my channel, my content, and my community The #DetroitGamers…

I was involved in an accident that left me a c3/c4 quadriplegic meaning I have no movement from the neck down. But, I have no let that stop me as gaming and streaming has now become a huge part of my life. The content you’ll find here includes amazing gameplay, laughs, wins, and more. I hope you enjoy what you see and don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and like what you see!

2. Rollettes Dance Team

Beginning in October of 2012, the Rollettes joined together to share their love for dance. For them, it is not just about dance, but they also strive to empower others to continue their passion regardless of their abilities. The Rollettes also enjoy teaming up with dancers without disabilities to prove that dance is dance, whether you are walking or rolling! While their main style is hip-hop, the Rollettes also enjoy exploring other styles of dance such as jazz, contemporary, or country. The Rollettes meet every Tuesday to practice, as well as hold a dance intensive twice a year for anyone willing to test their limits!

3. Squirmy & Grubs – Shane and Hannah Burcaw

We are Shane (he/him) and Hannah (she/her). We’ve been dating for over four years (and we got married in September of 2020), and we’ve discovered that people find our relationship to be pretty peculiar. One of us has a severe muscle wasting disease and uses a wheelchair. The other one of us…doesn’t. Shane’s disability plays a huge role in our relationship, but not in the way that most people expect. Watch us navigate our life together and laugh with us along the way.

4. Nikki Lilly

hi i’m nikki, welcome to my life and my channel! 🙂

I’m a 17 year old girl that’s luves making videos about all the different parts of my life and talking about what it’s like being a teenager with a visible difference; I have been filming content since i was 8 in 2013 and have loved every second of the journey. Youtube is one of the BEST things in my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have gotten from sitting in my bedroom and talking to a camera. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for my channel, and I love you all immensely.

5. Sign Duo – Ryan Alex and Ellen Mika

Hi! We are Ryan and Ellen. We’re a signing couple showing the world Deaf and Hearing relationships work! Together since 2011

6. Zach Anner

Hi! I’m Zach Anner and I make videos for your enjoyment and my embarrassment. Please Subscribe for new videos every week! Be sure to check out my Workout Wednesday series, my Reddit powered travel show Riding Shotgun or one of my other random videos.

Happy viewing and learning!

Aaron