Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
It is helpful to see what terms are used by advocacy groups of persons
with disabilities. The National Federation of the Blind just uses the term
“technology” on its web site for technology that is useful to its members, such
as screen readers, Braille printers, Braille notetakers, and talking phones.
Similarly, the American Council of the Blind talks about “products,” not
“assistive technology products”. The National Association of the Deaf just
uses the term “technology” on its web site for technology that is useful to its
members such as captioning, video phones, and video relay services. However,
they do use “assistive listening technology” for devices that enhance hearing.
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing talks
about hearing aids and cochlear implants, but does not use the term “assistive
technology” on its web site. Why do many people with disabilities not use
the term “assistive technology” when talking about the technology that they
use?
I believe that the two questions in the previous paragraphs are answered
by understanding how people with disabilities view themselves and their re-
lationship to technology; that is, their identity as users of technology. First,
as I pointed out earlier, the addition of “assistive” does not add anything
to “technology” that one uses every day on a routine basis. All technology
is assistive, by definition. Second, and more important, the term “assistive”
when used with “technology” emphasizes a person's need for extra assistance.
It has the ring of paternalism, a view that people with disabilities need lots
of extra help, are dependent and are not capable human beings.
3.2 Models of Disability
There have been a number of attempts to define different perspectives on
or models of disability [
1
]. The following are five models of disability that
are found in western society through which we can understand better the
relationship between people with disabilities and technology.
Medical Model:
People with disabilities are patients who need treatment
and cure or partial cure. Generally, treatment is very expensive and may
require continual monitoring over a lifetime. Some assistive technologies can
be prescribed by doctors or other medical professionals. In such cases, the
technologies may be paid for by medical insurance.
Rehabilitation Model:
People with disabilities are clients who need assis-
tance and assistive technology for employment and everyday life. Job related
assistive technology may be paid for by employers, but technology for every-
day living is usually paid for by the client.
Special Education Model:
Children with disabilities have the need for
special education, which may differ substantially from education programs
that other children receive. Technology may be provided to some children with
