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

[jackandahat]

Yeah... that's just creepy. Because the thing is, they think they're right... but I'm sure he thinks he's right too. I've seen a lot of cases of people giving to something like Planned Parenthood in the name of some anti-choicer, because he thinks that's evil. But how would they feel if he gave to some anti-choice group in their name?

[pauraque]

Exactly. Support the causes you support, leave other people's names out of it.

[jackandahat]

Yeah. There was one I saw - I believe it was a uni, Westborough Baptist Church were picketing, and they got warned "If you show up, for every hour you stay, we're going to donate to gay rights groups." - I have no problem with that kind of thing. But putting someone else's name on something, no, that's lousy.