Technology has been able to help us stay in touch with others easily, get what we need done faster, and many other useful things. But for people who have disabilities they may not find the same benefits and advantages with technology, and some may have found it as a barrier or a hassle to even use. There are many types of disabilities that people can have which can prevent them from using certain technologies. Sometimes people may call this being "locked in." To be locked in means that one's brain functions normally, but they cannot move or speak because of an injury or disease. The number of people who are locked in is not a small number either, however there are no current statistics on the population of people who suffer from this disease.
Although technologies are very hard for people with disabilities to use, there are many things being done technology wise to help connect these people with the rest of the world whether it be via the internet or in medical ways. Technology has been able to help those with disabilities be able to participate in normal activities they might not be able to normally do. Since technology is giving those with disabilities more opportunities than they have ever had in the past, we are also able to learn from them and their needs, and provide them with useful and helpful technologies.
Section 508 is a law which helps those with disabilities have access to as much technology as a person without disabilities might have. “Individuals with disabilities who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of the information and data by such members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities. “
(U.S. Civil Rights Division)
Although one of the characteristics of new media that Jenkins listed was that it is unequal because not everyone can decide to what extent they participate in a technology, Section 508 tries to change that. It is true that technology will not be able to be accessed by everyone especially when it is brand new and has just come out. However, the technologies we can invent afterwards are even more amazing because they can connect those who previously couldn't use these technologies. One new technology that does just that, is called the Brain- Twitter project. This project has made the technology available for someone who may not be able to use Twitter in the conventional ways intended, now able to use the technology and communicate with other people. What is also so incredible about this new discovery is that people who receive these Twitter messages on the other end, might not even be able to recognize that the user on the other end is disabled. This is a breakthrough technology for those who cannot use a computer with their hands or any body part, because they can now type and post whatever they want and communicate it to the rest of the world. "A lot of people think [locked-in patients] want to walk and want fancy prosthetics, but a lot of times what they want are bladder control and basic communication skills." This video shows exactly how this new technology works:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html#cnnSTCText
This new technology will help those with disabilities be able to maintain and create new relationships, and help them communicate with more people than they probably ever imagined they would have a chance to. However, although these technologies are being invented for those with disabilities, will they be able to afford them? Many times people with disabilities have already spent a lot of money in hospital visits, check-ups, and other technologies to help them in their everyday lives. Although they are now able to have more opportunities, do they have the money required to buy them? Another aspect to look at also, is how fast technology is constantly changing and being built. Will those who research disabilities be able to keep up with this rate of technology change? Will they be able to keep those with disabilities up to date also?
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I'd agree on a lot of your points. When technology was initially developed it wasn't really developed with the disabled in mind. The whole politics in technology argument can go there. But there are now some huge strides being made. You ask some great questions. Generally when a new tech comes out it isn't very disability friendly but that does change. Now with many computers having the ability to speak to you or for you to speak to them is a huge plus for many people. Magnifying text and images on the screen or big. Like you brought up the whole brain tech is very innovative. Cell phones may be the most problematic technology for people but even then there are options there. I believe technology can only enhance the lives of people with disabilities, but yes the cost can be high.
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