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

[roserodent]

"Select subtle over glitz. Select a technology that is assistive to the recipient without calling attention to them. "People with disabilities typically do not want to use something that makes them stick out too or be different from others," York said. "If the gift technology stands out too much they may not embrace it even if they do need it." "

There is an increasing trend for building hearing "assistance" into things which look like "everyday objects" and give "discretion" and such like. When I am having a conversation with someone would I rather they:

A: Thought I was really rude because I didn't take off my bluetooth headset while talking to them and was so distracted by it I hardly listened to or understood a word of what they said to me or

B: Thought I was wearing a hearing aid and had reached up to make adjustments to hear them more clearly.

I want a hearing aid that is big, bright, and right freakin' in their faces, perhaps that way I get a chance to hear something.