A Tale of Two Wheelchairs
Having spent a considerable amount of time in Kenya I have often reflected on how technology assists my independence and inclusion.
My wife and I were walking in a park in Nairobi, holding the hands of our 2-year-old daughter who enjoyed being swung between us. My helper pushing my manual chair I was included within this mother, father, and child relationship as I could converse and participate in the activities.
Returning to the UK and Wales, independence was the word underpinning my activities. I got a powered wheelchair which I could operate myself. This meant I could go out, go shopping, and even take part in the half marathon. However, this independence would be at the cost of inclusion.
Whether because of its reputation for going off on its own direction, my spasms which made it veer off-course, or that I found it difficult to drive and hold a conversation at the same time, the powered chair has increased my independence but decreased my inclusion. The simple pleasures of holding the hand of my wife or children were gone. Whilst I value my independence I wish it was not at the expense of inclusion.
When Technology is not Available
My story is quite different. For more than five years now, the national agency overseeing matriculation examinations for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria has been pouring funds into reversing the use of digital technology by blind candidates. The immediate past registrar had successfully administered computer-based testing for the blind using speech-enabled computers and refreshable Braille devices before he was replaced. Now, not only are blind candidates reduced to the use of slates and stylus or manual portable typewriters for writing their answers, but they also have questions being read aloud to the whole room by one sighted reader instead of Brailed question papers.
The effect is the emergence of a new class of digitally illiterate blind graduates who are unable to apply for jobs, independently do bank transactions or communicate with digital media.
It’s a living testament to “sympathetic” exclusion.