In this issue
Freedom Tech Assembly, Aviva Stadium
Teresa Patterson - Mum of Jamie, AT User
Foundations in AT Course goes to Malta!
Dublin Bus Community Spirit Award
Foundations in AT 2018
Freedom Tech: What’s in it for me?
Smart Home Technologies: Virtual Assistants

Freedom Tech: What’s in it for me?
by James Brosnan
 
James Brosnan

On the 16th of November last year, there was a big conference - this time on Assistive Technology. I went along to have a google (pardon my pun). Why do we need AT? Is it another excuse to hide away from our disabilities - or is it for bridging the gap to our full potential?

 

Speakers included the founder of the Mobility Mojo Website and App, Stephen Cluskey – a website that works in the same way as TripAdviser, but focuses on accessible travel destinations. Another speaker, Teresa Patterson, spoke about the AT that her son uses, and how thrilled he was to be able to show off to his friends how loud he could turn up the volume at home.

 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are people who feel intimidated and isolated by having AT around. Some feel that it brings a lack of focus along with it.

On top of that, body shaming is another matter that gets overlooked. Even in the able-bodied utopian world, there is no longer a need for face to face contact. We are in an age where there is no need for talk and touch! Maybe I am a dinosaur, but it is freaky to see people getting hugged and receiving them. We feel more comfortable talking on our hands free phones in each of our separate worlds.

 

Having said all that, there was a need for a conference such as Freedom Tech. It was a long time coming.  Whether or not having AT is a difficult juggling act.

 

Who said life was easy - particularly when you are disabled!

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