bad advice from a university

[jadelennox]

How to select adaptive technology as GIFTS for people.

Explain how the gift can help them pursue their leisure interests. "Help them recognize that they have a need for this technology," York said. [...] "They need to accept their limitations."

I am utterly appalled. Buying somebody adaptive tech as a gift is a nice idea, but it has to be part of a collaborative process. You can't surprise somebody with adaptive technology. You can work with the recipient to find out something they've been wanting, or you could show them some interesting adaptive technology and explain why you think they might like it.

Even at the lowest tier this is true. I have two bottle openers for screw caps: the one somebody bought me as the gift and the one that works with my hands. One of the things this article suggests is buying people "large-print playing cards, playing card holders, talking dice and/or dice with large labels." Which is a great idea! Except there are number of playing card holders on the market and several of them I know I can't use.

In other words, I reiterate, you cannot surprise people with gifts of adaptive technology. Ask us. Work with us.

Comments

[amadi]

All of these ideas came from someone at the National Center for Accessibility.

The National Center for Accessibility.

I called the phone number at the bottom of the article, presuming I'd be connected to the "journalist" so that I could ask if they spoke to any actual PWDs before writing this dreck ("make sure the technology is easy to understand" because crips and old folk don't understand complicated stuff, every single one of us needs the simplest things available) and instead I was appallingly connected directly to said center.

I wanted to ask for this York person to ask where these ideas had come from but I didn't have the spoons to challenge it all thoughtfully so I just hung up.

But someone empowered to be quoted in universally released media by The National Center for Accessibility thinks this way about us.

I don't even know what to do with that.

[trouble]

Some other accessibility expert was telling people with disabilities in the US not to sue for accessibility violations because it upsets able-bodied people. If I recall correctly, they weren't disabled themselves. *sigh* I wish I could remember the details.

[niqaeli]

What. Just, what.

Gosh, it upsets able-bodied people? Well, I'm pretty upset when accessibility isn't accommodated, be it for my own issues or other people's!

(I had a job that was an accessibility nightmare and I am quite sure did not meet ADA, particularly as the management were ablist as hell on top of that. I wish I had sued. I didn't because I didn't have the energy to fight it. But, not because I was worried about upsetting able-bodied people.)

[trouble]

I have linked the details in a comment below yours.

[jld]

I have no words. Other than “WTF”, and “NO”, and some more “WTF”.

[trouble]

Ah hah! I found the post I was thinking of, so details!

'Drive-by' ADA Lawsuits?!??

I'm most annoyed by the reference to so-called 'advocates' who tell disabled people that suing isn't good for the rest of us: "Advocacy groups refer to the suits as 'drive-by' and question whether they actually help the community or just line the pockets of a few individuals. What’s more they say the suits can turn business owners against the ADA."