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Putting a Disability Lens on Tech Work

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Putting a Disability Lens on Tech Work

Talks at Google with Judith Heumann

Talks at Google,

5 min read
3 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Think disability accommodations are only for other people? Someday, they’ll be for you too.

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Visionary
  • Engaging
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

People with disabilities aren’t front and center in the minds of designers, universities or companies. Who suffers, though? You may think the disability community is small – which isn’t surprising given its lack of representation in media. But an estimated 25% of people have a disability, and everyone will experience disability at some point in their lives, whether through an accident, pregnancy or old age. In this Talks at Google video, civil rights advocate Judith Heumann argues convincingly that when people fail to accommodate disability, it’s really their future selves who suffer.

 

Summary

Disability is a normal part of life, and everyone will experience it at some point.

It’s said that roughly 15% of the global population qualifies as having a disability, but the numbers are likely much higher. In developed countries, estimates are closer to 18% to 25%, which is probably a more accurate range overall. If that seems like a high number, you might take into consideration the fact that almost every person will experience disability at some point in their lives, whether temporary or permanent.

Disability is a normal part of life, a fact that should be reflected in media, advertising, product design, and accommodations in schools, workplaces and public spaces. 

When the stigma surrounding disability is removed, people are more likely to ask for accommodations that allow them to thrive at work.

For too long, girls were kept out of school because wider society believed women couldn’t learn. Obviously, once women were given access to education...

About the Speaker

Judith Heumann is an internationally recognized civil rights advocate for people with disabilities. She has been appointed to distinguished posts in the Clinton and Obama administrations, including Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the US Department of State from 2009-2017. She also served as the World Bank’s first Advisor on Disability and Development. 

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