Kestrell

Hey Kestrell, Cory forwarded me your email, and I think we know each other slightly from SF cons. Maybe from Potlatch or WisCon? I'm LIz and am a wheelchair user. Anyway, I have been talking and blogging about some of these issues over the years, especially focusing on the need for free and open source software and hardware for assistive tech. But, I have an unrelated full time job so it's not something I've been focused on. I can poke around and see if there is an organization doing this kind of work. When I talk about it, I get pointed to a bunch of people in similar situations to me, like other disabled individuals doing one off projects, or accessibility design professors. Actual organizations serving disabled and senior communities tend to work with what is already available. I find it hard to know where to start. But, I agree with all you say here. What we need is hardware and software and devices that are cheap, flexible and adaptable, rugged, easy to use and I also think we may not get that without government level backing, which we can't even manage to get to fund already existing, simple devices like canes for people who need them. On top of the design and manufacturing and distribution of assistive tech there is also the issue of maintenance and support. So my message to people has been, connect with the people in your life, family, friends, neighbors, local community centers, and do what you can to support their needs, like a sort of tech consultant and support activist.

Following your blog with interest!