Wheelchair users often face significant barriers to maintaining and adapting their chairs, from resource constraints to limited access to professional services. In response, many turn to social media platforms such as YouTube to share and learn practical knowledge. However, little is known about how wheelchair users document and exchange repair, maintenance, and customization practices online. To address this gap, we analyzed 290 YouTube videos alongside 800 sampled comments using thematic coding and statistical analysis. Our findings revealed diverse user needs, from enhancing mobility to expressing identity, which were addressed through a spectrum of DIY acts, such as accessorizing, bricolage, and major modifications. Engagement analysis further reveals how styling videos attract a broad audience, while custom-built “chair tours” become hubs of knowledge and solidarity. We reflect on using YouTube as a research source and call for a design approach grounded in solidarity that supports the full spectrum of DIY practices.
ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems