Disability Rights in the Age of Surveillance: A Call for Inclusive Tech

A close up picture of an eye caught in the crosshairs of a laser.

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, it's crucial to spotlight the urgent need for lawmakers to act in regulating surveillance technologies to protect the rights of disabled individuals. The rapid evolution of these technologies presents both opportunities and challenges, and it's our collective responsibility to ensure they are used ethically and inclusively.

In a recent article for The Hill, Sarah Roth and Evan Enzer of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) noted that "Data-driven surveillance tech has been incorporated into nearly every sector of public life... However, countless studies have shown that these technologies are inherently biased and discriminatory because they are not being built, or used, with accessibility in mind."

These technologies, such as biometric monitoring software, often fail to account for the diversity and nuance of disabilities. This lack of inclusivity can lead to people with disabilities being singled out or experiencing dehumanizing punishment for simply existing as themselves.

For instance, Amazon’s Flex program uses an app to track delivery drivers' efficiency. This system overlooks the experiences of workers with disabilities, and the algorithmic management system has been reported to fire the slowest people — regardless of the individual’s disability or access needs.

Moreover, policies that require patrons to expose their faces to facial recognition surveillance cameras discriminate against immunocompromised individuals and those who rely on masks for health benefits.

We must ensure that technological change does not come at the expense of disability rights and justice. The recent ordinance introduced by the New York City Council to ban facial recognition in public places is a step in the right direction. But more needs to be done.

As these surveillance tools become more prominent and inescapable, the urgency with which lawmakers need to act cannot be overstated. We must continue to advocate for the rights of disabled individuals and push for regulations that ensure these technologies do not infringe on their rights and freedoms.

As we move forward, let's remember that our goal should always be to create a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.

New technology, same problems: We need to ensure accessibility for everyone

Threads: A Missed Opportunity for Accessibility and Inclusion

A mobile phone with one iteration of the logo for the new social media app Threads.

As a disability advocate and a person with disabilities, I am disheartened to witness the launch of Meta's new social media platform, Threads, without the inclusion of basic accessibility features. This is especially disappointing as we celebrate Disability Pride Month.

Threads, which is being touted as a competitor to Twitter, seems to have missed the mark when it comes to accommodating users with disabilities. Chase DiBenedetto of Mashable writes, "in a strange step back for the tech giant, the hours-old platform...doesn't seem to accommodate those with disabilities well, offering few accessibility tools, customization options, or site policies on its accessibility features at large."

In 2023, launching a new product is not an excuse to ignore disability and treat those with accessibility needs as an afterthought. Threads is competing with a platform whose crumbling infrastructure is due in part to that same mindset following a takeover by Elon Musk.

As someone with a visual impairment, I rely heavily on assistive technology and accessibility tools to navigate the web. The lack of accessibility features in Threads is not just an oversight; it's a barrier that prevents individuals like me from participating in online conversations and communities. It's a far cry from Mark Zuckerberg's claim that the platform will "focus on kindness." You can't do that through exclusion.

Accessibility is not an afterthought; it is a fundamental aspect of design and development. The principle of Universal Design promotes environments and tools that prioritize use by all people without the need for specialized accommodations. Allon Mason CEO and founder of web accessibility company UserWay.org, rightly points out, "Digital platforms have a responsibility to be inclusive, and it is essential that accessibility is at the forefront of their design considerations."

Threads' lack of accessibility features is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for digital inclusion. It is imperative for social media platforms to recognize and address the diverse needs of all users, including those with disabilities.

As a community, we must hold these platforms accountable and advocate for the integration of accessibility features. It is not just about compliance; it is about creating an inclusive digital space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can communicate, connect, and contribute.

I urge Meta to take immediate steps to address the accessibility gaps in Threads and to engage with the disability community in the development and implementation of these features. Let's work together to ensure that social media is inclusive and accessible to all.

Threads gets a failing grade from advocates on accessible design

‘Artificial Intelligence Will Steal My Job!’ Fears Service Dog

In the mood for a chuckle today?

I am absolutely thrilled to share that I have been featured in the The Squeaky Wheel. Well, technically I need to thank Canine Companions® Pico for letting me have the byline. We've been matched for nearly a decade and with the rise of A.I., he had a lot to say.

‘Artificial Intelligence Will Steal My Job!’ Fears Service Dog

Leveling the Academic Field: The Role of AI for Students with Disabilities

A person's head in blue outline with a futuristic interface in the background.

Navigating academia with multiple disabilities, including a visual impairment presented significant challenges. AI tools like ChatGPT offer an exciting possibility — they have the potential to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities. However, as Sam Altman CEO of OpenAI, and Mira Murati, the company’s CTO, recently highlighted in a joint statement, these AI tools also pose potential risks.

More than 350 people signed a statement released by the Center for AI Safety, an organization working to reduce AI risks, The Wall Street Journal reports.

I recall my college days at Loyola Marymount University, where a professor, Todd Shoepe, acknowledging my disability, allowed me to use color copies of diagrams for tests while my classmates were given black and white photocopies. This was not an unfair advantage; it was necessary for me to properly express my understanding of the material.

However, the guidelines governing the use of AI tools like ChatGPT are still under development. Casey Boyle Director of the Digital Writing and Research Lab at the The University of Texas at Austin told The Chronicle of Higher Education, “People are really focused, for good reasons, on academic integrity and academic honesty, and trying to redefine what that means with these new tools.” Yet, I worry this might become another excuse to deny accommodations under the guise of "unfair advantage".

Students with disabilities often face an uphill struggle in academia. Boyle rightly points out, “Students with disabilities or students who require accommodations are already working uphill. When we overreact, we’re increasing the slope of those hills.” Denying the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, despite the caution surrounding the technology, would only make this climb steeper.

AI tools can assist students with mobility challenges by eliminating the need for physical trips to libraries. They can help students who struggle with initiating conversations — such as those on the autism spectrum — by suggesting conversation starters. And for students who battle the "terror of the blank page," generative AI tools could suggest an opening paragraph to get the creative process started.

I implore educators to consider AI tools as allies, not enemies. Professor Manjeet Rege of the University of St. Thomas suggests, “I really want you as a student to do that critical thinking and not give me content produced by an AI… if you would like to take aspects of that, put it into a generative AI model and then look at analogies to help you understand that better, yes, absolutely, that is something that I encourage.”

Despite these uncertainties, I remain hopeful. Just as my professor at LMU understood and defended my need for accommodations, I hope educators will recognize the significant value AI tools like ChatGPT can offer those with disabilities.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day Part II

A collage of four photos that demonstrate different types of accessibility issues. 

Top left: A laptop with accessible features for web.

Top Right shows a cartoon series of individuals some wearing headphones for auditory processing challenges.

Bottom Left: A handful of people in a crowded space some are wearing masks for invisible disabilities 

Bottom Right is a series of steps leading up to a building demonstrating the need for elimination of physical barriers.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day. As we celebrate let’s remember accessibility can take on many forms. When we make the world more accessible to all we make it more inclusive.

#GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #Technology #DisabilityAwareness #Disability #GAAD2023 #GAAD

Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023

A futuristic assistive tech concept art with sleek design, neon lights, holographic interface, personalized AI, and a user-friendly experience.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day may officially be two days away, but advocacy isn’t dictated by a calendar. As we prepare to celebrate, I am reminded of both the progress we've made and the challenges that remain.

Recently, a story in YourTango by Nia Tipton highlighted an all-too-familiar story of a disabled passenger who shared in a viral TikTok that she was forced to exit the plane without her mobility aids. Despite having made prior arrangements for wheelchair assistance, she was left stranded on her flight, forced to walk off the plane, tripped, fell, and eventually passed out due to the lack of necessary assistance. She was then rushed through the airport, berated, and made to feel like a burden.

This is not the world we should be living in. This is not the experience anyone should have to go through.

And yet, there is a glimmer of hope. CultofMac.com reports that this week, ahead of WWDC23 Apple previewed some of their upcoming features aimed at those with disabilities. Among these features are 'Live Speech' and 'Personal Voice', these tools allow people with disabilities to type what they want to say and have it spoken aloud, or to have their own speech transformed into clear, synthetic speech. In creating these features, Apple isn't just making their products more accessible; they are affirming our worth, our potential, and our place in the world.

While these advances in technology are promising, challenges persist. As Caroline Casey founder of the Valuable 500 writes in a recent Forbes piece, "Discrimination of people with disabilities is a protracted tale – but this should be a motivator or an opportunity to be accountable and take action." We need to address the systematic issues that continue to marginalize individuals with disabilities, particularly in the workplace.

The facts are stark. Recent research from the Valuable 500 shows that only 3% of leaders would speak out openly about their disability or caregiving role. When we consider that 1 in 4 has a disability, this is troubling. We need to make space for different perspectives, cultivate workplaces where employees are able to be their authentic selves. We need leaders who understand disability does not equate to inability and that our experiences, voices, and insights are not only necessary but also enriching. Companies looking to be more inclusive should look for more than a culture fit. They should strive for a culture add.

On this lead up to to Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let's remember that our journey toward creating an inclusive and equitable society for all, including people with disabilities, is ongoing. It’s not only about installing ramps and elevators or developing speech recognition software—it's about fostering respect, empathy, and understanding. It's about acknowledging that disability is not a deficit but simply a different way of experiencing the world.

How AI Can Make Disabled People Stronger Advocates

Recently, a neighbor in my apartment complex became increasingly irate anytime Canine Companions® Pico and I would pass her door. She claimed his incidental shedding as we walked past was done intentionally, and she didn't appreciate his ruining her welcome mat, which she had placed in a public hallway. Her disdain became so pervasive she was unwilling to engage in civil discourse.

When I raised my concerns with the property manager, I was met with the suggestion that I relocate if we couldn't find a "peaceful solution." It was a frustrating and exhausting experience.

I went into advocacy mode. I knew the laws. I knew I could address the situation from the perspective of the ADA, housing laws, and even state fire codes. But I just didn't have the energy. I thought briefly about dropping the issue completely, but I knew that would be to my detriment as the situation was ongoing.

And then it came to me: AI is my friend.

I turned to AI to craft a letter to my leasing office, documenting our meeting, their response, and the concerns I still had. I worked with the AI in much the same way I would engage with a friend or colleague at first. Imagine explaining what happened to them over text. I didn't think about it too much. I simply documented what happened as best I could without being overly concerned with whether I was doing it "right."

As I progressed, I wanted something with a bit more force, something harder for management to dismiss. So I tweaked my approach. I asked the AI to cite relevant local laws that might strengthen my position. Almost instantly, I was presented with research pertaining to building safety, means of egress, and fire codes, as well as a bit of legal language.

No system is perfect, and I still did my due diligence in verifying the accuracy; nothing will ever replace the human element and the lived experiences that shape advocacy work. But I had a very strong foundation in record time. The hours and aggravation saved, the research placed right in front of me in the blink of an eye? I couldn't help but think of the old Mastercard commercial.

Comcast Internet: $50 a month

Subscription to ChatGPT-4: $20 a month

Energy saved as AI helps you advocate? Priceless.

AI is the ultimate life hack, and I can't wait to see what's next. This technology is here, and used wisely, can be the ultimate energy saver. Yes, it's only as good as its inputs and the questions we ask, but that is the very nature of the human brain too. When we ask better questions, we get better answers. By leveraging these technologies, disabled people can continue to do the advocacy that fuels us without feeling burnt out by the nitty-gritty. For those just starting on their advocacy journey, the playing field is instantly leveled. The question isn't "Should we be using this technology?" Rather, the focus should be on how.