Adaptive technologies and Persons with Disabilities

FAAST Access
Spring 2003

Your Voice column
Today, I live by a simple philosophy. I will not be denied access from or participation in employment, education, politics, recreation or other cornerstones of American life. This has been my philosophy since becoming a C-5 quadriplegic in 1983.

In fact, I am a two-time survivor of quadriplegia (1983, 1998). The first time I was injured was when I walked away from a fist fight as a senior in high school and was hit from behind. The second time, I was not paying attention while driving my van and went through the windshield at 75 miles an hour, breaking two legs, my shoulder and neck – for the second time. Through nearly 20 years of living an adaptive lifestyle, technology has always been a critical element.

Technology – adaptive technology especially – has come a long way since the days of long straws, plates with rims and computers the size of closets. Adaptive technology has been the key to my successes. I could discuss in great length the many opportunities technology has created for persons with disabilities, but for the purpose of this article, I will focus on transportation and speech recognition.

At first, technology developments for the mainstream market included the home computer. However, persons with mobility impairments were not able to fully take advantage of the personal computer. Our inability to maneuver the keyboard and multi-key striking were barriers. The advent of speech recognition software in the early 1990s transformed my life and provided access to the use of the computer.

At first, it was simply a means of managing personal finances and writing school papers. In time, the computer, the Internet and speech recognition software became essential tools in my life – tools that not only helped me manage the affairs of my home but gave me the freedom to work from home as needed. This combination of adaptive technologies now serves as one of the most important resources in my life, enabling me to manage my affairs independently.

Transportation is recognized universally as one of the largest barriers for persons with disabilities. Often, when relying on a state system or family and friends, one is truly handicapped in every sense of the word. There is no independence and one cannot help but feel like a burden to others.

I know this because I was transportation-disadvantaged for the first 10 years of my adaptive life. I was determined to do something about it and my sense of helplessness.

I exercised regularly to develop strength in my functional limbs while simultaneously saving money to purchase a vehicle fit for modification. A number of years later, I achieved the strength to drive, the financial freedom to purchase a vehicle, and I secured grant money for modification because it was necessary for employment.

The ability to go where, when and how I want truly is priceless. I feel as if I’ve been released from prison: the bondage of being transportation disadvantaged. Not only am I gainfully employed, but I have a life outside the confines of my home. Isn’t that what we all want? Don’t we all desire a sense of belonging, a sense of contributing and a level of independence?

Explore the advantages of adaptive technology and what some of today’s technology can mean in your life. I implore you to support all local and national efforts to bring adaptive technology to those who could never afford or have access to its benefits. Dr. Harding can be reached by E-Mail: jrfsu@comcast.net.

Dr. J.R. Harding
Tallahassee, FL

Contact:
J.R. Harding, Ed.D.
850-907-0652 (home)
850-907-9301 (fax)
jrfsu@comcast.net (home email)

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