Stories From My Commute: The Ridiculous Things People Say

Envision a blind woman walking along the sidewalk on a moderately busy city street using a cane. The sidewalk has cracks and bumps in it and there are some oddly placed poles. A male, whom she does not know, approaches on her right and passes her. As he does, he says, “You should really practice walking on this route.” Really? This was one time when I couldn’t think fast enough to say anything. Thankfully, I ran into him again about a week later. He had the nerve to say to me “you’re doing good today.” I said, well when you lose your vision or one of your other senses, then you can judge, but until then be thankful for what you have. After all, you’re going to get older and it’s going to happen to more people like you. And I think you’ll find that the world isn’t all that set up for you. All things considered, I think I was pretty nice. Humor me, and picture a blind woman moving through a crowded train station built decades ago. The trains rumble in with high pitch squeaks. Sounds echo and people are moving in all different directions. A woman comes face-to-face with the blind woman and says “watch out”. Really? I am not sensitive to language as a general rule. I ‘saw’ the item in the news, and I ‘watch’ movies. I can concede that no other warning jumped to the woman’s mind; maybe she hadn’t had her morning shot of caffeine. It’s also possible that she wasn’t all that bright, or was unaware of what the cane meant. After all, there can still be some shock associated with blind people moving about in society.

Action Plan

Recently, people have begun to talk about the potential market power of people with a limitation in their physical, sensory, communication, or cognitive functioning. Check out this article by Michael Janger http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp and this link from Diversity World http://www.diversityworld.com/Disability/customers.htm. It’s true; having a product designed with all users in mind can gain a company popular press and sales. The most obvious example is Apple. Wonderful, we know what works: demand for usability and universal design. The question is how do we get steering committees, company board members, and engineers among other product designers, to change? This isn’t an easy question to answer because people with any need for an alternative way of getting things done are vastly underrepresented in these powerful roles. Fortunately, there is so much that can be done that there is a task for everyone. I. Inform the company and let your social network know about a product you like because of its design features. Companies need this feedback whether they are creating something for a specific market or for wider use. If you are a member of any groups or participate in any use of social media make sure you use these outlets to promote the product. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with the traditional phone call or letter if that is more your style. If you are to ill or busy, or lack the confidence to do this yourself, keep it in mind for the next person who offers to help. II. Get the word out about a poorly designed product or line of products that do not meet your need. The “user experience” is important. Make sure you let the company responsible for the product know, and when you do, let them know you are sharing this information with your social network. Try to be clear about the problem, and if you can think of any, offer solutions. Don’t forget that most design elements that are not functional for all people are made because people lack knowledge and information. The ability to place oneself in another’s shoes isn’t universal, and often exists more in people with less power. III. Look for opportunities to use your purchasing power to support companies that use universal design principles, increase accessibility, and employ and promote people with limitations in their physical, sensory, communication, or cognitive functioning. If you belong to any groups, look for ways to promote those companies, use their products, and make sure your group contacts the company with this information. Maybe they’ll even pay to include you in an advertising campaign or ask you to be involved in product testing. IV. Expand your thinking about diversity to include people of varying abilities and look for ways to promote this idea within your company or in your civic group. I am not suggesting that racial and ethnic diversity are less important; I am simply saying that diversity should not merely be assessed through an individual’s complexion or country of origin. When different perspectives get brought to the table, acceptance and innovation tend to follow. People who have to seek out alternative ways of navigating through life and getting things done can bring fresh ideas and different perspectives to your community organization or company. In order to be a market force people desiring universal design features or seeking alternative solutions for interacting with their environment must be willing to be vocal and counted. It is only through these actions that change will be forth coming and people on those steering committees, board of directors, and product design teams will begin to see the return on their investment in universal and alternative design.