Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Amina Jaffer
Abstract
Much of today’s world runs on technology, but did you know individuals with a disability
are far less likely to use technology than anyone else? Individuals with a disability do
things a little bit differently than everyone else. Technology could potentially help these
individuals greatly, but there are many barriers such as affordability, physical
accessibility, and adaptability. “Will I still be able to pay my water bill if I buy this
item?” “Will I still be able to pay for transportation if I buy this item?” These are
questions people ask themselves before making a large purchase. Per my research,
individuals with a disability make about half of what an aver age American makes.
Physical accessibility is also very important if an individual is unable to hold the device.
They may need to get a specific kind of assistive technology that will benefit them the
most. However, getting custom made technology could become very pricey very
quickly. Every individual with a disability has a different mental capacity, making it very
difficult for some to adapt to newer technology. There are many other ayaat in the Quran
that talk about the way we should treat people with a disability. There are many ayaat that
There were nearly 40 million Americans with a disability in 2015, which was
about 12.6% of the United States population (Bialik, 2017). Per dictionary.com, disability
activities. Individuals with a disability must find different ways to do everyday tasks that
the average healthy person does not think about. Assistive technology is any type of
technology that helps maintain or improve the capabilities of a person with a disability.
In Joan Green’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education:
Resources for Education, Intervention, and Rehabilitation, she stated “The worlds of
This change is happening so fast that it is difficult to stay on top of the many new ways
technology can be used to help people of all ages who have subtle or debilitating
challenges” (Green, 2011, pg. 2). Technology can be of assistance to many individuals
with disabilities, it can help people to communicate with those around them to fulfill their
basic needs, and even help communicate with a potential employer. Every person with a
disability faces different challenges because they are all at unique mental and physical
levels. There may be potential challenges for people with disabilities in using technology.
Individuals with disabilities are less likely to use technology because there are many
especially those who are searching for employment. There are many stereotypes about
helpless, unable to care for themselves, or unable to make their own decisions. People
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 4
with one disability, such as a speech impairment, may be presumed to have other
disabilities they do not have, such as an intellectual disability” (Silverman, 2016). Due to
Bhattacharya and Heather Long reported the story of Jordan Gallacher, a 28-year-old
blind man. Even though he had a bachelor's degree in management and entrepreneurship
from Louisiana Tech University, and can operate a computer with a screen reader, he was
still unable to find a job. The reporters mentioned the Americans with Disability Act
(ADA) passed in 1990 to fight discrimination against the disabled has helped in many
ways, such as making supermarket aisles wider, installing ramps at schools, and making
public transportation is more accessible but employment for the disabled has deteriorated.
(Bhattachrya & Long, 2015). Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “...older [aged] workers
are less likely to be employed regardless of disability status. However, across all age
groups, people with a disability were much less likely to be employed than those with no
disability” (“17.5 percent of people…”, 2016). In 2016, only 17.9 percent of persons with
a disability were employed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported (“Persons with a
Disability…”, 2017). Many individuals find it difficult to find employment due to their
disability. To counter this The United States Department of Labor has begun the
Disability Employment Initiative or DEI. The DEI aims to improve education, training,
and employment opportunities and outcomes for youth and adults with a disability who
(Office of Disability Employment Policy [ODEP], n.d.). Some individuals are also
realizing what is happening. A news station in Ireland reported the story about a hair
salon that is training individuals with Down Syndrome on how to do things like fold
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 5
towels and wash people's hair. One of the trainees said, “I have become more confident in
talking to people, greeting, and looking after the clients. I have become much more aware
of what it means to be in the workplace – arriving on time, dressing suitably and doing
the best I can in the salon” (“Training and Employment...”, 2017). Giving individuals
with disabilities employment helps boost their self-confidence, which will make it easier
for them to communicate with others, and they will be making money which can enable
Some people may want to use assistive technology, but find it difficult due t o their
disabilities. There are two major categories of physical disabilities. The first major
activities associated with movements of the body parts due to muscular or bone
dystrophy. The second major category is neuromuscular disability which is the inability
to perform controlled movements of affected body parts due to diseases, deg eneration or
disorder of the nervous system. Neuromuscular disabilities include cerebral palsy, spina
bifida, poliomyelitis, stroke, head injury, and spinal cord injury (“General Information
on…”, 2012). For example, a person with a broken hand may be unable to hold a device
in their hand or use the computer. A person who is paralyzed may also not be able to use
technology because they cannot move their hands. Eye tracking technology is an example
of assistive technology. Eye tracking allows users to move the cursor on their computer
or mobile device by simply moving their eyes and head. Eye tracking technology can
range from $1,001 to $10,000+ (Mahler, 2017). Many Individuals may be able to benefit
greatly from technology, but due to the major wage gap, are unable to afford it. In 2014
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 6
the average person in the United States made $73,298 (Frankel, 2016), while an
individual with a disability made $40,200 (Yang & Tan, 2016). With individuals with a
disability making about half of that of an average person, it makes it harder for them to
get the special technology that will help them. Insurance may cover a part of the cost but
many times they choose to cover a new wheelchair for one individual rather than some
Many people are unaware of what types of technology is accessible to help them.
Most of this information is available on the internet, but many of these individuals are
unable to navigate the internet. However, there are many useful tools out there such as a
software called Job Access With Speech, also known as JAWS, which is a screen reader.
(“The World’s Most…”, 2017) This would help the visually impaired, and some
cognitively impaired individuals who cannot read. Black Window is also a great tool to
help enhance visibility and reduce distractibility of other programs by filling the screen
with a black background. As well as a software known as iZoom, which magnifies the
screen to help people with visual impairments read what is on their screen (“Software for
people…”, 2015). Smart Glasses helps people who are almost completely blind see a
little bit better by brightening the person in front of them for example and making
everything else darker (Belton, 2016). This is only a few of the many software out there to
help individuals. Even though this application is out there, not many people know how to
install and configure it. With technology changing so fast and about 1,250 new
applications being released every day (“How many new apps...”, 2014), it becomes very
difficult to keep up with everything that is out there. Different organizations have
realized that there is technology available to help individuals, therefore they have begun
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 7
compiling it for the public. For instance, public universities are trying to increase the
awareness of these opportunities for their students. Many of the commonly used
applications can be used for a person with a disability. Google Duo, a video chatting
application, could help an individual call someone for help when necessary. “Be My
Eyes” is another application that connects volunteers who can help people with a visual
disability. Anyone can call for help and a volunteer can answer the call and answer their
question. For example, if someone is blind and unsure what color their shirt is, they can
put in a call through this application and any of the volunteers can answer their question.
cognitive disability to adapt to newer technology. Fast changing technology causes the
older technology to become obsolete forcing one to get the newer version of the device.
Whenever a new product comes out, the manufacturers do not think about how people
with a disability would see or use it, making it harder for individuals with a disability to
use newer technology. Individuals with cognitive disabilities normally find it much
harder to incorporate new changes into their daily lives. When they first get a device with
new features and complete changes of the layout or design, it is very difficult for them to
adapt because they are used to seeing the device the way it used to be, and suddenly that
has all changed. For some disabled people, it may take longer for them to get used to
newer technology than others. If one type of technology works for one person it does not
necessarily mean that it will work for someone else; it is not a “one size fits all” type of
situation. Finding the right combination of assistive technology is also very impor tant.
There are many benefits to having assistive technology, and it benefits everyone, not just
individuals with special needs. Some of the benefits of having assistive technology in the
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 8
classroom include raising the child's self-confidence, helping them reach their full
potential, helping them become more independent, and making work more accessible to
everyone. The right combination of assistive technology could change a person's life
entirely.
People with disability need more time to adapt to new things. We should keep this in
mind and help individuals with a disability learn how to use technology. Allah says in Surah Al-
Baqarah, “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” (2:286). This is a reminder for
us to be patient with the tests He gives us, such as a disability, or a family member with a
disability. The Quran does not use the word ‘disabled’, the term ‘disadvantaged people’ is used
which refers to those with special needs. (Al-Aoufi, Al-Zyoud, & Shahminan, 2012, p. 206) It
says in the Quran, “There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or
upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys God and His Messenger
- He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He
will punish him with a painful punishment.” (An-Nur 24:61) This means that Allah (swt)
will not punished those with a disability for the things they cannot do. The Prophet’s
behavior toward disabled people is an exquisite example for us. Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum,
cousin of Khajidah bint Khuwaylid, was a blind man. He was one of the first to accept Islam, and
was very eager to learn from the Prophet (saw). The Prophet (saw) always greeted him with
humility and respect. At times the Prophet (saw) would designate him as the Leader of Madinah.
As far as the Prophet was concerned, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum’s blindness was not a
hindrance in his ability to carry out his duties. (Hamid) Allah (swt) tests us in many ways, but
there will be a great reward if persevere and stay close to Allah (swt). Allah says in
Surah Ash-Sharh: “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (94:5). This is another
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 9
reminder to be patient with all the hardships we endure because there is some wisdom
behind it.
without a disability to say they never go online (23% vs. 8%), per a Pew Research Center
survey conducted in the fall of 2016” (Anderson & Perrin, 2017). Individuals with
disability are less likely to use technology because many of them cannot afford it, some
are unable to physically use it, and it is more difficult for individual’s disability to adapt
to newer technology. Technology has the potential to help individuals with special needs.
But there are many barriers such as price, knowledge, and physical accessibility. There is
a countless number of software out there to help individuals with a disability but not
many people know about them and much of assistive technology is expen sive. Allah does
not mention people with disability in the Quran except in the context of war. This should
References
Anderson, M., & Perrin, A. (2017, April 07). Disabled Americans are less likely to use
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/07/disabled-americans-are-less-
likely-to-use-technology/
Al-Aoufi, H., Al-Zyoud, N., & Shahminan, N. (2012). Islam and the cultural conceptualization
doi:10.1080/02673843.2011.649565
Belton, P. (2016, January 29). The tech giving people power to deal with disability. Retrieved
Bhattachrya, A., & Long, H. (2015, July 26). America still leaves the disabled behind.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/26/news/economy/americans-with-disabilities-act-
problems-remain/index.html
Bialik, K. (2017, July 27). 7 facts about Americans with disabilities. Retrieved December
americans-with-disabilities/
Frankel, M. (2016, November 24). Here's the average American household income: How
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2016/11/24/average -
american-household-income/93002252/
General Information on Physical Disabilities. (2012). Retrieved December 15, 2017, from
http://hwa.org.sg/news/general-information-on-physical-disabilities/
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 11
resources for education, intervention, and rehabilitation. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
Mahler, P. (2017, August 23). Eye Tracker Prices - An Overview of 15 Eye Trackers.
Hamid, A. W. (n.d.). Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from
http://www.sunnah.org/history/Sahaba/maktum.html
How many new apps are added to Google Play everyday? (2014, August 22). Retrieved
to-Google-Play-everyday
ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2017,
from https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/DEI.htm
Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics Summary. (2017, June 21).
Silverman, A. (2016). Disability Stigma and Your Patients. Retrieved December 15, 2017,
from http://agerrtc.washington.edu/info/factsheets/stigma
Software for people with disability. (2015, March 28). Retrieved December 13, 2017, from
http://www.e-bility.com/links/software.php
The World's Most Popular Windows Screen Reader. (2017). Retrieved Dec ember 13, 2017,
from http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS
Training and Employment Opportunities: Beauty in all its Forms. (2017, November).
centre/independence/beauty-in-all-its-forms/
DISABILITY AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY 12
Yang, L., & Tan, H. (2016). Retrieved December 15, 2017, from
http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/reports/acs.cfm?statistic=6
17.5 percent of people with a disability employed in 2015: The Economics Daily. (n.d.).
percent-of-people-with-a-disability-employed-in-2015.htm