Norman.Coombs@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Norman Coombs) (03/06/90)
Index Number: 7088 I am part of a panel at a history convention on history and the disabled. (That is the panel topic not the convention topic.) I will post the abstract in my next note, but I cannot include here because system line max is 60. Abstract 54 plus these comments ...... Anyone with additional ideas or even better with info that fits into my framework, please either post info here or send me in email to NRCGSH@RITVAX.BITNET The panel is on March 23. One speaker is on culture of the deaf. Another will talke about federal legislation and the disabled and the third will talk about the history of disability organizations. I will talk about the impact of assistive devices in reducing the impact of physical disabilities. Will post my abstract as a reply to this message. Norman Coombs -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Norman.Coombs Internet: Norman.Coombs@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org
Norman.Coombs@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Norman Coombs) (03/06/90)
Index Number: 7089 Abstract for Panel Presentation to history convention: Disability and Technology A Historical and Social Perspective Norman Coombs Ph.D. Rochester Institute of Technology One Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester NY 14623 Electronic mail: NRCGSH@RITVAX.BITNET Physically disabled persons and rehabilitation counselors routinely perceive the spectrum of problems posed by physical impairments from opposite viewpoints. The concern of rehabilitation is the disabled person and how to facilitate his or her adjustment to coping with life's problems. While disabled persons are painfully aware of the impediment caused by the handicap, they also see the social structure and social attitudes as a major source of the problem to be overcome. From this perspective, the rehabilitation system itself can be understood as part of the problem rather than of the solution. In the first case, the disabled persons must change to "fit in" to society. In the second case, negative aspects of society are to be challenged to provide more opportunities for these persons. In this context, the evolution of modern technology is sometimes seen as empowering the disabled and thereby redressing some of the social imbalance. Technology confronts handicapped persons with two faces. On one hand, it must be admitted that some new inventions and machines developed during the past century have only served to magnify their problems. The automobile cannot be driven by the blind, and the radio does not communicate to the deaf. On the other hand, over the years, technology has developed a variety of assistive and adaptive devices which have minimized and compensated for the handicaps caused by some physical disabilities. The transistor and other electronic inventions have led to a growing number of such useful aids, and it has created a society dependent on information technologies. Having equal access to transportation and to information systems is essential to the achievements of the handicapped in this age. The latter will also be of special interest to an academic audience. Simultaneously with the growing empowerment provided by this technology, disabled persons have been forming a variety of advocacy organizations as a platform for expressing their own interests. The ranks of the disabled have been increased as a result of injuries from several twentieth century wars, and this has occurred at a time when many minority groups have been pushing for civil rights and fair treatment by the mainstream society. While these advocacy groups recognize that rehabilitation help is still needed to assist in the handicapped person's development of coping techniques, disabled Americans are insisting in having a strong voice in controlling their own destiny. Assistive technology and advocacy organization are looked to by many disabled persons as twin pillars on which to build their future. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Norman.Coombs Internet: Norman.Coombs@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org