Technology Aided Autonomy

Peggy Van Acker

Technology Aided Autonomy

As autonomy should be the objective, assisted technologies are helping individuals with handicaps achieve independence never before possible. Such depictions are seen in the movie “Freedom Machines”, where motorized wheelchairs convey students around campus, and innovations that enable specially equipped wheelchairs to negotiate curbs and climb stairs will provide access to areas once beyond their users reach. As the expense of such devices may currently be price prohibitive, it could reasonably be argued that guaranteed financial assistance could limit renovations which are currently legally required to make existing facilities handicapped accessible. By re-appropriating these funds to provide equipment that has the ability to allow access to standard buses and most every building without requiring structural changes,  the potential viability and momentum for further innovation builds. Wheelchairs capable of allowing its user vertical accessibility would make independent living in standard apartments possible, libraries and bookshelves would no longer provide obstacles requiring assistance in acquiring materials desired for research or pleasure, and shopping would no longer be limited to shelves that can be reached from a seated position. As legislation attempts to readdress previous inequities involving those with disabilities, a compassionate public should look to correct such situations by striving to enable each citizen to achieve their personal best where it concerns personal autonomy. For the blind it may be more practically achieved by first providing changes in our national currency which would create different sizes of bills for different denominations of currency, thus making it possible to independently verify correct exchange of currency. (This would also be of use for the autistic and others dealing with developmental disabilities.) Braille reading materials and keyboards, and voice activated software, phones and security systems, are also areas that would aid those with visual limitation.  While for those living with autism, training in creating a very structured living plan, instruction providing them with the skills for managing to negotiate their local commutes via public transportation, and making them aware of general norms of social interaction should be status quo.  In addition to all of this, included in the overall educational scheme should be a broader understanding of issues facing those who live with such conditions to the entire student population in the effort to achieve better understanding and acceptance.