Technoableism - The Accessible Link #13
Rethinking disability and technology
Hello everyone,
I'm a geek. I love technology and using new gadgets. I'm an early adopter whenever it comes to new apps.
You can ask me about the best AI software, and I can advise you on the best business tools. I was a news agency tech writer when I lived in Germany. I know the Google campus in Mountain View and the Microsoft research lab in Bangalore. So, I'm not a technophobe at all, but I'm not too fond of some current approaches to how disability and technology are seen.
Technoableism
I just finished the brilliant book "After Universal Design" (see below), where I learnt the term "technoableism". Ashley Shew, an Associate Professor in Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech, describes technoablism as follows:
"Technoableism is a particular type of ableism whereby disability technologies are heralded as life-changing, empowering, and redemptive; almost inevitably, they are part of a narrative about technology that emphasises how terrible being disabled must be. It also implies that technology is needed to make disabled people worthy or "includeable" in society as a whole."
And another aspect is interesting when it comes to technoableism. It often seems unimportant if the tech solution works for disabled people and is wanted. What counts is that something was done, developed or bought, just a box-ticking exercise coupled with promises of cost cuts and efficiency. Self-driving wheelchairs at airports, anyone?
IT won't fix a flawed system
"It is an approach to design and development whereby non-disabled helpers are themselves elevated (...).," writes Shew. "In this case, they offer liberation through devices and technologies. Conversely, through technoableism, disabled people are expected to be grateful to the people who want to help, whether it is "help" we want or not."
Sometimes, the tech add-on doesn’t even offer liberation; it just manifests a non-working system of bad customer experience. The barriers for disabled people remain the same.
Tech solutions developed for disabled people instead of with or by them are set to fail. Disability, on the other hand, can be an innovation driver in technology. I will write about that in the next edition.
Some interesting links
A new Deaf-led initiative to design more inclusive buildings and address systemic inequities has launched this summer.
Léonie Watson is the founder of TetraLogical, a member of the W3C Board of Directors and an expert in digital accessibility, has just tested BeMyAI, a new AI-powered feature of Be My Eyes. Be My Eyes is an app made up of a global community that connects people who are blind or visually impaired with sighted volunteers and company representatives through a live video call. She wrote an interesting article about her experiences as an early beta tester of the new AI feature.
More details about United Airlines' settlement with a quadriplegic man's family transpired.
Something to watch
Far too often, disabled people who want to travel from A to B like everyone else are treated as a nuisance when they use trains or public transport. "Travel with confidence" is often not a reality when travelling in a wheelchair, even when the passenger did everything in his power, booked the wheelchair space, booked assistance and has the right ticket. This video is a sad example of this.
Something to read
Rather than designing products that “fix” disabilities, how can we create products that are made with and for disabled users? How can we design living and working spaces that are more accessible to disabled people? How can we expand our capacity to make design more “personal” to each person? "After Universal Design - the disability design revolution", edited by Elizabeth Guffey, brings scholars, practitioners and disabled users together. They explore these questions and argue for the need for a new, user-centered design.
Some final words
Describing the needs of disabled people as “special” provides non-disabled people with the basis to conclude that disabled people are a burden and reject our human needs. (Gregory Mansfield)The Accessible Link is a reader-supported publication. So, if you like what you’re reading, consider to become a paid subscriber or
Who is writing this newsletter?
I’m Christiane Link, and I improve the customer experience in aviation, transport, and travel. I worked as a journalist for over two decades and travelled extensively for business and leisure. I’m a wheelchair user. If you want to read more from me, follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bluesky or Mastodon. You can also reply to this email if you want to contact me.