Source: http://schools.aldine.k12.tx.us/webs/agls2geny/the_equal_access_act.htm
As technology has continued to develop and in many ways increase social inclusion, an interesting paradox has come about. These new technologies are creating news ways for people living with disabilities to be excluded (Goggin and Newell, 2007, 159).
Take, for example, the first generation iPhone with its fancy, new, smooth, touch screen. How could a Blind person possibly use that?!
Over time, features, such as Voice Over and Siri, were added to the iPhone to make it more accessible, which is great (Kornowski, 2012). However, Goggin and Newell (2007, 160) make the argument that the needs of disabled people should taken into consideration from the very beginning and incorporated into the design of new technologies “rather than having to be an expensive and not particularly compatible add-on and after-thought.” There are simple changes that could be made which would instantly allow certain technologies to become accessible.
In his article, Michael Lockrey (2011) discusses how the switch to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has created yet another situation where members of the Australian public are being left behind. It is very rare for IPTV to provide closed captions which means that content through this medium is inaccessible to those who are Deaf. It seems that ensuring closed captions were available on IPTV content would not have been an overly difficult venture, and what better time to start providing the closed captions than with the introduction of the medium itself?
While there are a number of situations where technology does incorporate elements which cater for different disabilities. In order to limit, and even better stop, discrimination we need to ensure all technology and media content is accessible to all people where it is possible. As Lockrey (2011) argues this “needs to be addressed urgently, or the digital divide will widen.”
Goggin, G and C Newell (2007) ‘The Business of Digital Disability’ The Information Society: An International Journal, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp159-168.
Kornowski, L (2012) ‘How the Blind Are Re-inventing the iPhone’ The Atlantic, accessed 16 May 2013, <http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/05/how-the-blind-are-reinventing-the-iphone/256589/ >
Lockerey, M (2011) ‘Forget set top boxes, what about accessibility?’ Ramp Up, accessed 15 May 2013, <http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/articles/2011/05/30/3230881.htm>
BCM 310 