-
>> Clarissa: We are all like,
different people.
-
We can't be the same.
-
We are all imperfect.
-
>> Antonio: The concept of trying
to use technology
-
to create a utopian society
is interesting, to say the least.
-
>> Stuart: One thing I am
always being asked about,
-
the Olympics and
the Paralympics.
-
I do believe in 10, 20 years
a Paralympian will be faster
-
than a human, than a person
without a disability.
-
>> Dewald: Why would you change
your natural ability?
-
[music]
-
>> Sheryl: My name is
Sheryl Burgstahler.
-
I direct Accessible Technology Services
at the University of Washington.
-
Science and technology has
progressed to a point
-
where we might be able to
eliminate certain disabilities.
-
But just because we can,
should we?
-
We talked to some students
with disabilities
-
and we asked them
to answer that question.
-
>> Nolan: I like the idea of kind of
using technology to help people out,
-
to advance the human race,
-
but at the same time it
creates this whole dilemma of
-
at what point does
it become too much?
-
>> Courtney: I can personally say that
technology has definitely helped me
-
to access things that otherwise I
wouldn't be able to access
-
and I think progression
for technology
-
is definitely beneficial
to people with disabilities
-
but I think there’s definitely
a line between something like
-
a more improved wheelchair
and an exoskeleton
-
for someone in a wheelchair
to be able to walk
-
and I think the difference
between those two things is
-
one seeks to improve the life
of the person with a disability
-
or make access easier for them.
-
The other one seeks
to eliminate disability.
-
And I think that is a key difference
that a lot of able-bodied people
-
who don't have a lot of
experience with disability miss.
-
>> Shelby: I know everything probably has
a little bit of a disadvantages
-
but if something’s going to help you
be able to complete a task,
-
and you’re still using your brain power
and understanding what needs to happen
-
then I think it’s great.
-
>> Courtney: I think that if that is
something that you personally really want,
-
you want to be better,
you want to be this extra human
-
that should be an option.
-
But it should not be a requirement.
-
Like I personally am
very happy how I am.
-
I would not change a
single thing about myself.
-
If I was given the option
tomorrow to walk, I wouldn't.
-
I love my life.
-
>> Antonio: Instead of trying to use technology
to create the perfect human being,
-
we should focus more on
-
just trying to deal with the
issues at hand in terms of
-
creating a society that
is equally accessible
-
for people who are currently
not able to have
-
the same opportunities
as others.
-
>> Niki: For some of my friends
who have disabilities
-
that are putting,
shortening their lives,
-
and there's technology that is
-
bringing out new studies,
bringing out new drugs
-
that are going to help them get
stronger and be able to live longer
-
I think that stuff is great.
-
But I also do see where
it's problematic in
-
trying to force people
to become more "normal"
-
and when they don't
necessarily want to be.
-
Why do we need to fix everyone
and fix everything?
-
So I think it's just up to
the person themselves and
-
if they want you know certain parts
of their disabilities to be not
-
a part of their lives
they have that option
-
then that's great for them
-
but I don't think it
should be forced upon anyone
-
and that societal pressure
-
shouldn't be, you know,
-
you have to do this
because it's available.
-
>> Clarissa: We cannot be perfect
-
so I think like the
differences between us
-
even though if it's like
disability or not.
-
It's what makes us special
and stands out
-
so we should be proud
of that I think.
-
>> Courtney: If I were talking
to scientists developing
-
the next round or the next
generation of technology,
-
the first thing I
would say to them is,
-
"Do you have a disabled person
on your team?"
-
Because the best way to
make things more accessible
-
is to include people with disabilities
in the creation process.
-
>> Stuart: The goal of technology
is to make people’s lives easier
-
and I don’t see how having somebody
who has lost their legs
-
and trying to get them to walking
is a negative thing.
-
I don’t know maybe
200 years from today
-
when robotics improves
and takes over the world
-
that could be some other discussion.
-
>> Linsey: There is a very fine line
-
where we have this technology
available to people
-
to better their ability to
get around in the world but then
-
we also have to be sure that we're not
assuming that they want this technology
-
because it's going to
quote unquote cure them.
-
Or make them
more able-bodied.
-
We should be
asking the question,
-
"Do you want this technology because,
-
not because it's going to make you
more, like, able-bodied
-
but is it actually going to improve
your life as a disabled person
-
able to get around and accommodate you
with the things you need help with?"
-
Instead of trying to get people to kind of
merge toward this one standardized version
-
of what the body
should be able to do.
-
>> Shelby: So maybe one of the
tools is having a hand
-
or some type of device
that can help them climb.
-
I think that’s awesome.
-
But really the key thing is that
they want that for themselves.
-
>> Courtney: Being disabled and
living life is completely worthwhile.
-
The thing that makes it challenging
-
is the fact that systems are not built
with people with disabilities in mind
-
and so the change that
really needs to happen
-
more than fixing
people with disabilities
-
is changing our society to be accessible
for people with disabilities
-
to be able to have access to all the things
that everyone else accesses.
-
>> Dewald: Why would you
not want to be yourself?
-
I feel like that would
change who you are.
-
There are so many little things
that make up you as a person,
-
why should you care
if there are little flaws?
-
As long as you're
a great person as a whole.
-
>> Courtney: Humans will never
be without disability.
-
It's written into
our physical existence
-
that as we age it's
almost certain that we will
-
develop some kind of disability.
-
Having a disability
is completely natural.
-
It just happens earlier
for some people.