Technology Advancements and Disability Identity

>> 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.