Editorial: Technology offers us liberation - and internalised ableism

When I was in my late teens, I was asked to audition for an exoskeleton commercial. I was only just starting to learn about the social model of disability and I was wanting a career in media - so I went along for the experience.

When I showed up to the block of flats in Grey Lynn where the audition was held, I couldn’t reach the buzzer to open the gate. I sat outside awkwardly waiting for someone to walk by so I could ask them to help me, while scrolling through my emails for someone to call. Eventually someone rescued my stressed-out self and then I rolled on into the audition room. 

One of the producers apologised that the buzzer was not reachable, and I replied with: ‘Sounds like the buzzer needs changing, not us’. Faced with a blank stare, I seized the moment and continued to explain how rather than looking to technology like exoskeletons to fix us, we need to address the social and environmental factors that disable us in the first place. 

I did not get a call back. 

While the exoskeleton might not be something many of us want - even though well-intentioned people think it’s the cure we need - technology is intrinsically tied to our lives. Our communities often rely on adaptive equipment and mobility devices to get around. Smart phone apps have advanced so much in the last 20 years, I can’t even imagine how we would navigate the world without them. A couple of us at The D*List have little remote controls attached to our car keys that magically turn our vehicles into Transformers. Just last week, I did Round The Bays and tracked my time and average speed with an app that is Bluetooth-connected to my power-assisted wheelchair. There’s no doubt that technology gives many of us more freedom every day.

Over the next few weeks, we are delving into the world of technology and digital living. At The D*List, we each have different lived experiences of disability. We're often sharing all sorts of disability hacks with each other, but we know there's so many other tips and tricks to be shared amongst our communities. 

We’re currently working on ideas for content around times that technology saved us from a disability disaster. Maybe you used Siri to make an emergency call when you’ve fallen out of your wheelchair. Or perhaps an app helped you find the last mobility parking space when you were running late for a hot date. Sound familiar? If you have a moment you'd like to share, email - kiaora@thedlist.co.nz - or DM us on Instagram - and we’ll include it in the article later this month!

Finally, thinking about technology-based cures we don’t actually want made me search for an update on the exoskeleton. The first video that shows up when I Google ‘exoskeleton’ was a video from just last year titled: ‘The exoskeleton that helps people with disabilities walk again’, showing that not much has changed since I was locked out of that Grey Lynn audition room.

While we as disabled people will continue to adapt to new technology that becomes available to us, it’s important that we don’t let the shininess of new technology that seeks to cure us impact our own view of ourselves. Regardless of technology’s ability to improve our lives, we should always remember that we are fine as we are. We don’t need fixing, curing or to be strapped to a robot to live fulfilling lives. But sometimes, sure, voice commands are a great way to turn off the TV!

We hope you enjoy our digital living themed content over the next wee while and encourage you to share your ideas on how it can help us live our best disabled lives.