Communications: Technology and Personal Contact
Keeping in touch with family and friends has never been easier. With today’s communication technology, it is easy to stay connected with the people important in your life. Keeping in touch with everyone, however, is a lot more challenging for those who are isolated or limited by physical distance. Technologies like email, instant messaging, cell phones, cable television and the Internet have made it possible for us to keep up with others from anywhere at any time. Keeping in touch via personal means requires more than just access to communication tools though. Technology can make personal contact a lot easier for some people but more challenging for others. Whether you’re new to the area or relocating for work or school; living alone or part of a family; there are likely several factors that may make maintaining personal contact difficult for you without additional support. Keep reading to learn more about why keeping in touch may be especially challenging for some people and tips on how you can improve your ability to connect with those around you.
What makes keeping in touch difficult for some people?
When you have a disability, it can be hard to know what to do to make personal contact easier. For example, if you have low vision and find it hard to read, you may have fewer options than someone without a disability who can see well. There are also other things you can do to make keeping in touch easier. If you have a social anxiety disorder, you may find phone calls or visits from loved ones more difficult, even if you have support available. If you have a mental health condition, your ability to keep in touch may be affected by medications, access to treatment, or other factors. Whatever your situation, it is important to understand why maintaining personal contact can be more challenging for some people and what you can do to make it easier.
Research suggests that online socializing is a key to successful integration
Many people who find it harder to maintain personal contact may also find that communicating through technology extremely stressful. A University of Minnesota study found that people who are highly anxious are likely to experience more stress trying to manage the stress of online communication. Specifically, people who are highly anxious tend to have a lot of concerns about the other person’s feelings and perceptions during online communication. Online communication may also be a big source of anxiety for those who are socially anxious. If you are highly anxious, it may be difficult for you to even think about speaking to others in person. Fortunately, the study also found that anxiety can be reduced when people communicate online. There are a few ways that this works: People may keep their communication simple and use plain language, avoid textspeak and acronyms that are likely to cause confusion, and use visual aids like pictures or videos. People may also limit their communication and try to communicate in smaller chunks.
Finding opportunities to meet face-to-face with others
Keeping in touch with family, friends, co-workers and others is very important, but it can also be challenging. For example, some people with disabilities, such as severe anxiety, may find it difficult to meet in-person or feel comfortable doing so. Another challenge is the fact that many people with disabilities may not realize it until they try to get in touch. One way to find opportunities to meet in-person is to look for social events in your area that are open to people with disabilities or those who are part of a particular group. Another option is to join a group that meets regularly to socialize with others.
Help others feel welcome in your new neighborhood or city
It is important to remember that not everyone is going to be comfortable with the idea of meeting someone online or through technology. There are also some people who may feel nervous about meeting in-person, even if they are comfortable communicating digitally. As such, it can be helpful to do your part to make others feel welcome in your new neighborhood or city. For example, you may have noticed an increase in the number of friends and family coming to visit you. It can be helpful to let friends and family know that you have an accessible entrance or bathroom in your home so they don’t have to worry about whether or not they can access those items. You may also want to let them know where they can park safely if they have a disability that makes parking easier for them.
Don’t rely solely on technology when you can’t easily see the people you care about
It is important to remember that even if it’s possible to keep in touch with someone, you may still prefer to talk to them in person. Sometimes, communication via technology may be the only option for people who don’t have easy access to others. For example, if you are in a remote area and don’t have access to cable or phone service, or you are in a hospital or nursing home, it may be difficult to keep in touch with loved ones. It is important to realize that you may not be able to easily stay in touch with people who you care about if you don’t have easy access to communication tools.
Conclusion
This guide has provided valuable information about how to make the most of your new environment and the people in it. However, the most important thing is to know that there is hope for a better future. If you are struggling with issues related to keeping in touch, you are not alone. There is help and hope for change. Remember that communication is key to building relationships and improving your quality of life. Make sure to find ways to keep in touch with loved ones and build relationships with new people in your community.