Transcending failure: A study on the “failed domestication” of online news for young visually impaired people in China

Drawing on the triple articulation framework, this study explores the “failed domestication” of online news consumption among young visually impaired people (YVIP), focusing on technological objects, symbolic environments, and individual texts. The findings suggest that “failed domestication” is not merely a consequence of limitations in technical design or social contexts but rather the result of “negotiation” between individuals and media. YVIP develop unique media usage strategies by simplifying operational procedures, foregoing updates, filtering out news irrelevant to their daily lives, and personalizing their interpretation of texts. In contrast to the notion of “failure” rooted in ableism, these behaviors reflect a deep understanding by the visually impaired of their capabilities and specific needs, constituting a form of “alternative success.” The use of digital media by people with disabilities is a process of autonomous choice rather than the “enforcing normalcy.” Therefore, this study advocates for creating a more flexible and human-centric media ecosystem that enables people with disabilities to choose appropriate media usage patterns based on their individual needs and preferences, thus promoting genuine digital inclusivity.