People with disabilities need a human-centered approach

December 3rd is a monumental day for people with disabilities. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated around the globe. I have cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair for mobility, along with some other health conditions. I have an autoimmune-compromised system. I am fortunate to work from home. I go out in public rarely. When I do, I often use an N95 mask to protect myself, especially in the winter months.

It is imperative that when events are held, such as celebrations for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, there is an online option.

During the height of COVID-19, the government shut down many office buildings and transitioned to work-from-home options. Now, it is treated like the common cold, and people are not as diligent in protecting themselves or others around them from viruses, etc.

I believe one positive aspect of COVID-19 was that it gave people an indirect experience of what it’s like for individuals with disabilities. Reports of mental health issues increased, and the economy still needed to keep going. So, the government was proactive in mandating work-from-home positions and online events, using Zoom, Teams or other platforms.

We have come so far with the technologies available to us, which is wonderful if used correctly. If I were to venture out to go to the grocery store, I would need either a cart that connects to my wheelchair, or an employee to go around the store with me to assist with purchasing my groceries. I have a manual wheelchair, so it does not raise like a power wheelchair. The self-checkouts are often not designed for me to be able to reach the scanner, so I would require assistance to complete my grocery shopping.

Equipment exists to accommodate various disabilities. There are so-called Meta glasses available for someone who is blind to hold an item in their hands and read the label. I have not tried these glasses out yet; however, I am excited to do so. Many people who are hard of hearing use a hearing aid with a Bluetooth device that allows them to hear better, and hearing loops which are used for auditoriums help them more easily participate in society.

I am urging the government to continue to hold consultations with marginalized groups to ensure that policies are inclusive for the people that they affect. It is so important to me that decisions are not made without consultation, as the saying goes, nothing about us without us.

Corporations often use electronic programs to eliminate the need for humans; however, this is extremely frustrating not only for people who have disabilities, but also for the elderly.

Government bodies should be mandated to have an online option available with closed captions. An owl (assistive technology) that allows virtual attendance can make sure everyone is included regardless of their abilities.

I often call a store ahead of time to inquire if they have what I need before I get someone to go out. This is more efficient for me physically, but also economically. I recently called a store and their system crashed. I have dexterity issues, so it was difficult for me, but I had to call the number three different times to be able to choose the language I preferred, and when I was able to speak to a very nice employee, he couldn’t hear me because they were still buzzing from the malfunction of the automated system. This made it difficult for him to answer my question quickly and assist the next customer.

There are many problems with AI, but it can also be very helpful. I use Microsoft Word 365 and Copilot to hold meetings and summarize the important notes. I don’t type well because of my conditions; however, I would always prefer interacting with a human instead of a machine when given the opportunity in public.

I am happy the world has evolved to become more inclusive. However, there is still much more work to be done. Businesses may be able to get a tax deduction for making their establishment more accessible through the Enabling Accessibility Fund by, for example, putting in an automatic door.

The registered Disability Savings Plan is underutilized and should be considered looking into for someone who has a Disability Tax Credit.

On International Day of Persons with disabilities, think about your loved ones. Most people know someone with a disability, whether it’s physical or invisible.

Kaitlyn Massey is a disability rights advocate in New Brunswick.