Assistive Technology Is for Everyone: Rethinking How We View Help and Support

We all use technology to make our lives easier every day, but have you ever stopped to think about how many were originally designed as "assistive technology"? Take a moment to look around you. Maybe you're wearing glasses or contact lenses - that's assistive technology. Perhaps you used spell check while writing an email this morning - that's assistive technology too. Did you use voice commands to set a timer while cooking, or an alarm clock to wake up? You guessed it - these are  also assistive technology.

Yet somehow, when we hear the term "assistive technology," our minds often jump straight to specialized devices used exclusively by people with disabilities. This narrow view not only misses the bigger picture but also perpetuates harmful stigmas about needing and using help. The truth is, we're all users of assistive technology - we just don't label it that way for everyone.

The Universal Nature of Technology

Humans have always created tools and technologies to make our lives easier and enhance our capability to live, work, and play. We weren't born with the ability to instantly communicate with someone across the globe, yet we don't stigmatize using phones or email. We weren't born with the ability to travel at 60 miles per hour, yet we don't shame people for driving cars. Society has an unfortunate tendency to label some forms of assistance as "normal" and others as "different." 

Consider these examples of assistive technology, and how they are used to meet diverse needs:

•  Someone might use a screen reader because they're blind, while another person might use it because they prefer to listen to articles while multitasking. 

• A person might use speech-to-text, like “Siri” because of a physical disability affecting their hands, while someone else might use it because they think faster than they can type.

• A student with dyslexia might use audiobooks to help them read because they have a visual impairment, while their classmate might use the same technology to listen to textbooks while exercising. 

• One person might use closed captions because they're deaf, while another might use them because they're watching a show in a noisy environment or learning a new language. 

• A person with Autism might use a visual schedule to remember what they need to do to get ready for school in the morning on their own, while another person may use a similar calendar app on their phone to remember what day they have yoga class, or a dentist appointment.

Challenging Stigmas and Labels

There's also a troubling pattern in how we label technology: when a product is marketed as a 'neat gadget' it stays affordable, but the moment it's labeled as 'assistive technology' or 'adaptive equipment,' its price often skyrockets. Take the following  examples: 

• A standard spoon might cost a dollar or two, but make it have a larger grip and label it as an "adaptive eating utensil" and suddenly it costs twenty times more. 

•  A standard digital timer at a retail store (or Amazon) costs about $10, but when that same basic timing function is marketed as a "visual task timer for ADHD and autism" it suddenly can jump to $50 or more, despite having essentially the same features. 

• Text-to-speech technology is built into every smartphone for free, but specialized versions marketed as assistive technology can cost hundreds of dollars. 

This price inflation, sometimes called the "disability tax," creates unnecessary financial barriers for people who need these tools. What makes this especially frustrating is that many of these "specialized" items are functionally similar to their mainstream counterparts. This pricing disparity doesn't just affect individuals; it also impacts schools, organizations, and healthcare providers trying to provide accessible solutions on limited budgets.

This disconnect often stems from deeply ingrained societal biases about what constitutes "normal" ability and function. But I believe there is no "normal." Every person has their own set of strengths, challenges, unique needs, abilities, and ways of interacting with the world. Every person deserves access to tools that help them navigate the world, and have the same chances at achieving their own goals, passions, and basic needs.

Embracing a More Inclusive Perspective

Instead of viewing assistive technology as something that only certain people need, we should recognize it as part of the spectrum of tools that all humans use to enhance their capabilities. When we shift our perspective this way, we begin to see that:

• The line between "regular" technology and "assistive" technology is arbitrary

• Innovation in assistive technology often leads to improvements that benefit everyone

• Supporting diverse needs through technology makes our society more inclusive and accessible

• What works for one person might not work for another, and that's perfectly fine

The next time you use your smartphone's autocorrect, voice commands, or even just a pair of sunglasses, remember that you're using assistive technology. The next time you see someone using a different kind of assistive technology, remember that they're doing exactly what you do every day - using tools to interact with the world more effectively.

By recognizing and embracing the universal nature of assistive technology, we can help create a world where using tools and technology to enhance our abilities is seen for what it truly is: a fundamental part of the human experience. After all, technology should unite us, not divide us, in our shared journey of making life more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

We all need help sometimes, and there's nothing wrong with that. The tools we each  use might be different, but the goal is the same - to live our lives to the fullest and participate in our world in the ways that work best for us.