I’ve been sharing “Disability is Innovation” a lot in speeches lately. It’s not something I’ve ever heard from other advocates, but with 23 years of being disabled intersecting with my creative mind, I’ve realized, we (disability) are an untapped perspective.
Innovation n. The act of introducing something new.
As an Industrial Designer, I understand product and environment interaction. As a disabled person, I’ve lived this more than ever. As a human, I’m typically reduced to broken and inspiring for getting out and having “hobbies”. People assume I have no talents, I’m just disabled and this is too sad to look passed. When they learn of my accomplishments, they exclaim how nice it is that I have “hobbies” and keep myself “busy”, as if anything a disabled person does can't be serious or important work. They assume when I share I’m an artist, it must mean I’m coloring books. But me strolling the sidewalk or in a grocery aisle receives celebration.
But disability can lead to innovation as we’re a new perspective with potential of conception thinking. This insight shouldn’t be limited to disabled devices.
For example, texting and touch screens were created for disability first, and now it’s mainstream socio-tech that is ingrained into our global culture. Innovation can stem from need. Same thing with ADA; regulations to create equal access so disabled aren’t restricted to their homes. This access was met with societal resistance, receiving the most opposition from colleges and churches (religion fought ADA so they don’t legally have to be accessible. But “Everyone Is welcome.”) And, yet non disabled benefit more from ADA, (there’s no actual system to ensure these etched rights) as families with strollers and bikes use curb cuts, elevators and more.
Instead of seeing disability as detriments or voids, think bigger and see us as a new and varied way of looking at things which can create new ideas. When we evaluate on this simplistic hierarchical scale, which creates narrow thinkers, we allow ourselves to miss incredible people, ideas and minds.
When you look at something you thought you’ve always known in a different light, and off the main tracks, this is innovation. The disabled perspective can lead to new ways of doing things, and we’re master adapters, so, ask and include us. #kamswheelstravel
Follow me for more mini memoirs, disability and accessibility musings, ♿️ travels and art @ Instagram.com/kamredlawsk