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the president of the National Federation of the Blind, mark riccobono, says that "blind people generally love their white canes, a simple and effective piece of technology. a couple times a year someone comes to us [disabled/blind people] and says, ‘we have this great new idea for how to replace the cane!’ ” he said. “we try to be objective, but no. you’re trying to solve a problem that’s not a problem.” mark lost his sight to glaucoma as a child.
the definitive response from the disability community has been that they are least excited about products that aren't as helpful as they appear. that they would rather assistive technology that aided them in finding their appliances, other helpful tech and keys verses applications that read minds.
things that go overlooked for those who subscribe as "abled-body" are the simple essentials that are most needed and revered by the disability community, like spellcheck. the community also seems to be a huge advocate for the cell phone. focusing efforts to make it more functional for users who are disabled, should be the main thing. programming that assist with reading, like dictation on computers and screen reading, seems to be an experience that has made things more affordable and convenient, indicated by fred downs, who lost his left arm at war and is now an advocacy director for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
its refreshing to see that the dismay for tech isn't rooted for hate in the development of it but instead based in the idea that keeping it simple, consistent and helpful is better than just being innovative and creative.
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