1 / 12

Disability and Technology

The evolution of the disability movement highlights the importance of advocacy, technological advancements, and societal changes in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Key milestones include the Architectural Barriers Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Help America Vote Act. With advancements in pharmaceuticals, surgery, and assistive technologies, independence and quality of life for people with disabilities have dramatically improved. Advocacy centers play a crucial role, ensuring political representation and rights while fostering community support and self-directed living for better integration into society.

eamon
Download Presentation

Disability and Technology

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Disability and Technology Charles Tubre Systems Advocacy Specialist Advocacy Center

  2. History of Disability Movement / Science as Social Impetus Advances in medical science: • Pharmaceuticals • Surgical innovations • Rehabilitation protocols • Assistive technology (folding wheelchair)

  3. Increase in Number of Persons with Disabilities= Political voice = Political Action Seniors live longer Rates of disability 38% men over 65 39% women over 65 Expanded political base Stronger political voice Total % with Disability

  4. Societal Impact • Assertion of individual rights • Physical access/Civil rights legislation • Architectural Barriers Act, 1968 • Building codes • Rehab Act of 1974, 1978 amendments/CIL (Independent Living Philosophy) • Fair House Act, 1988 • Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 • Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 2002

  5. Independent Living Philosophy • Equal opportunity: education, employment, social participation • Community based supports and services • Self-directed • Community living entitlement /not state option • CILs/Advocacy • Attendant Care/Waivers • Transportation • Housing • Employment

  6. Why should I Care about Disability Rights History? Engineers As Enablers Engineers As Wayfinders Engineers As Agents of Social Change

  7. Work Resource • People with disabilities as human resource • Investment capital to realize full value • 30% of people in LA have one or more disabilities (16 y.o and older) • Nationally 24.5% of people have one or more disabilities (16 y.o and older) • Nationally 76% of people with disabilities are not working • “A brain is a brain is a brain…”

  8. The Workplace • Accessible work environment • Physical barriers - wheelchair ramps, work station, restrooms • Attitudinal barrier - training for management and co-workers • Assistive Technology: Voice Command software Adaptive keyboard

  9. Assistive Technology • Enabling Tools • Fundamental to work • Examples: Computers, Adaptive Keyboard, screen readers (electronic voice) etc. • Availability • Access/affordability

  10. An Example • Power wheelchair • Modified vehicle • Computer • Voice command software • Adaptive keyboard • Accessible Public Transit • Lifeline • (Others: cell phones, speakerphones, internet, e-mail…)

  11. Summary Technology is a by-product of science • Science enables: • More people living longer • More people living longer after trauma/disease • With Technology: • Work is possible for PWDs • PWDs are a valuable human resource • Independent living is made possible • Quality of life is enhanced • Investment return

  12. Engineers as Enablers Essential to productivity for PWDs

More Related