Technology Revolution
I'm back. Well, sort of...the Internet has been out in my house for the past couple days, and it still isn't working that well, but I figured out a way to post anyway. While it's been frustrating, all this technological drama has got me thinking about how much of my life actually relies on technology. It's a lot. Before I talk about this, I want to say that I realize access to technology is definitely a privilege, that being said, the existence of technology has revolutionized my life. I write this blog using voice dictation software, I read using a screen reader, and I get around using a power wheelchair. I seriously don't know what I would do without technology. Technology is so important to me because it gives me freedom and independence that I would not otherwise have. Without technology, I would need somebody to help me with almost everything.
When I was younger, before I had a screen reader or dictation software, my mom would have to read me my assignments for school and write down my responses. There was no way for me to be independent in doing my schoolwork. Now, it's a completely different story, because of technology, I can go to college and do my assignments on my own. In so many ways, technology helps make up for a lack of physical ability. Online databases mean that I don't have to be able to physically go to the library in order to do research. This means that I can do my work independently from my dorm room, which makes going to college a whole lot more accessible to me. Technology means that I don't need a person with me 24/7 anymore. Technology opens doors that may have otherwise been closed to me in many different areas of life.
The existence of things like Amazon and online grocery shopping mean that I can get what I need, without ever having to get car, which is a good thing because I don't drive. Technology means that I can do things on my own without having to wait for someone else to be available to help me. Technology means independence. Technology gives me a few more choices in my choice limited world. When I'm at school and I need something I can order it; I don't have to wait until one of my PCA's can take me to the store. This gives me a level of freedom and flexibility I wouldn't have without technology. Technology means chairs that elevate so I can reach things on my own. Technology means everything to me.
Without technology, I probably wouldn't be able to go to college, at least not as independently and far away from home as I can now. Without technology, my career choices would probably be more limited. Without technology, I would need people to do so many more things for me. I'm grateful every day that I live in a time and place where technology is so available to me. I'm grateful every day for technologies like ramps and elevators that have been around for many years, and also for much newer technologies like voice dictation software and screen readers that allow me to write this blog, and access a whole world of literature on my own. I'm grateful for power chairs that allow me to get around independently. I’m grateful for websites like tumblr and Facebook that allow me to connect to disability community across the country and across the world from right here in my own home.
The importance of technology cannot be forgotten, but it also highlights why we need to make technology more accessible in various ways. From increasing access technology for people from all economic backgrounds, to making technology more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities and accessibility needs, greater universal accessibility of technology will continue to change the world. Making sure technology is universally accessible in a variety of intersecting ways will change the world because it will give people access to opportunities and information they never could have dreamed of. Technology that is universally accessible to all people regardless of background or accessibility needs will change the world because it will help to level the playing fields and ensure that people have more equal opportunity. I know we don’t currently live in a world where fair and equal access to technology is a reality, but I will continue to fight for that day because I know how important it is. Technology changed my life, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.
I'm grateful for technology because it allows me to live the life I have today, and I rarely acknowledge that, until the Internet goes out.
When I was younger, before I had a screen reader or dictation software, my mom would have to read me my assignments for school and write down my responses. There was no way for me to be independent in doing my schoolwork. Now, it's a completely different story, because of technology, I can go to college and do my assignments on my own. In so many ways, technology helps make up for a lack of physical ability. Online databases mean that I don't have to be able to physically go to the library in order to do research. This means that I can do my work independently from my dorm room, which makes going to college a whole lot more accessible to me. Technology means that I don't need a person with me 24/7 anymore. Technology opens doors that may have otherwise been closed to me in many different areas of life.
The existence of things like Amazon and online grocery shopping mean that I can get what I need, without ever having to get car, which is a good thing because I don't drive. Technology means that I can do things on my own without having to wait for someone else to be available to help me. Technology means independence. Technology gives me a few more choices in my choice limited world. When I'm at school and I need something I can order it; I don't have to wait until one of my PCA's can take me to the store. This gives me a level of freedom and flexibility I wouldn't have without technology. Technology means chairs that elevate so I can reach things on my own. Technology means everything to me.
Without technology, I probably wouldn't be able to go to college, at least not as independently and far away from home as I can now. Without technology, my career choices would probably be more limited. Without technology, I would need people to do so many more things for me. I'm grateful every day that I live in a time and place where technology is so available to me. I'm grateful every day for technologies like ramps and elevators that have been around for many years, and also for much newer technologies like voice dictation software and screen readers that allow me to write this blog, and access a whole world of literature on my own. I'm grateful for power chairs that allow me to get around independently. I’m grateful for websites like tumblr and Facebook that allow me to connect to disability community across the country and across the world from right here in my own home.
The importance of technology cannot be forgotten, but it also highlights why we need to make technology more accessible in various ways. From increasing access technology for people from all economic backgrounds, to making technology more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities and accessibility needs, greater universal accessibility of technology will continue to change the world. Making sure technology is universally accessible in a variety of intersecting ways will change the world because it will give people access to opportunities and information they never could have dreamed of. Technology that is universally accessible to all people regardless of background or accessibility needs will change the world because it will help to level the playing fields and ensure that people have more equal opportunity. I know we don’t currently live in a world where fair and equal access to technology is a reality, but I will continue to fight for that day because I know how important it is. Technology changed my life, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.
I'm grateful for technology because it allows me to live the life I have today, and I rarely acknowledge that, until the Internet goes out.
