Social Network Design for Disability Peer Support: Identifying Barriers, Applying Standards, and Implementing Measurable Solutions

Both online and in-person social networks can enhance peer support for people with disabilities when they are designed in line with current accessibility standards and validated through real-world use. Drawing on an integrative review and brief case studies, we identify seven key barriers – stigma, inaccessible interfaces, the digital divide, biased or opaque moderation, privacy and security concerns, assistive-technology gaps, and fragmented communities – and link them to practical, standards-based solutions. We outline release-blocking checks for essential social tasks aligned with WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549, including contrast, keyboard operability, visible focus, error handling and prevention, non-drag alternatives, minimum target sizes, and consistent help features. In addition, we propose actionable performance metrics such as first-post and join rates, 30- and 90-day retention, task success and completion time, caption and alt-text coverage, keyboard-only pass rates, and moderation error rates. Case vignettes further demonstrate how concepts from network theory – such as weak ties, brokerage, and closure – can inform design decisions and measurable outcomes. The study concludes with ethical safeguards and a testing framework that emphasizes low-bandwidth delivery, interoperability with assistive technologies, and audited, explainable moderation to support the scalable delivery of inclusive peer.