Every Day is GAAD for Me
By Katherine Schneider, Counseling Services Emerita
On May 15, Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated, but for me as a blind person, GAAD is every day.
Recently, I sent the following email to the company making a companion robot for elderly people that is not available to blind, Deaf or folks living with dementia:
“I qualify for an Elliq except for the fact that I'm blind. I was told some of its features would not be accessible, museum tours, exercise demos, etc. I have lived 75 years as a blind person in a sighted world where things are at best partially accessible. I'd like to work with you for free if necessary to help make accessibility upgrades to the device. Then you could market to the blind and low vision segment of the aging population instead of just saying "no". Interested? I can be reached at schneiks@uec.edu.”
The university is starting a new science degree in assistive systems and robotics engineering. The major will investigate the use of new technologies and robotics to help with daily personal tasks, personal mobility, rehabilitation, and communication. Hopefully, students will be taught universal design principles, so retrofitting robots to include Deaf, blind and people with dementia will not be necessary because they’ll be accessible out of the box.
If each of us does what we can, where we can, we’ll have a more accessible world for all of us:
- Include Alt Text on your pictures in your social media posts so I know what you’re excited about!
- Volunteer for “Be My Eyes” duty: https://www.bemyeyes.com
- Read something about digital accessibility, assistive technology, and/or universal design:
- From McIntyre Library’s Collection
- From the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
- Try one of the new accessibility tools available for checkout from our McIntyre Library’s Assistive Technology Collection. This collection was created with support from Retired UW-Eau Claire Clinical Psychologist & author Dr. Katherine Schneider, and is available for checkout for a 3-day loan period to all UWEC students, faculty and staff.
- Text-To-Speech Pen – This handheld device scans printed text and reads it aloud using a synthesized voice. Models include: C-Pen Reader 2 and OrCam Read
- Pocket Amplifier – This small, personal device allows users to experience microphone-amplified hearing with over-ear headphones.
- Pocket Translator – This handheld device can translate spoken and written languages when connected to the internet.
- Talking Calculator – This jumbo-sized calculator vocally narrates when each button on the calculator is pressed, ideal for users looking for a more visually or hearing accessible calculator
Library and web resources curated by Anna M Zook, Arts Librarian at McIntyre Library.
