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Assistive Technology Is a Resource for Building Capabilities, but Is It Just Addressing the Symptoms of Inequality?

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  • Emily J Steel

    (Centre for Universal Design Australia, Sydney 2170, Australia)

Abstract

Advocacy for assistive technology interventions is compatible with the capabilities approach but is insufficient for addressing the disadvantage experienced by people with disability. This paper reflects on equality as an objective of the capabilities approach arising from economics, and it summarises how assistive technology and accessibility are mechanisms for achieving equality in the contemporary legal context of international disability rights. Research and advocacy for assistive technology have failed to communicate a coherent set of actions for policy makers to adopt. Defined concepts and interventions are required to prioritise and coordinate action to support individuals with assistive technology in parallel with improving collective resources by improving accessibility. Radical change in economic paradigms and societal structures that drive poverty and disability may be required for the effective adoption of assistive technology and closure of capability gaps.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily J Steel, 2022. "Assistive Technology Is a Resource for Building Capabilities, but Is It Just Addressing the Symptoms of Inequality?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:7-:d:1014668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amartya Sen, 2004. "Capabilities, Lists, And Public Reason: Continuing The Conversation," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 77-80.
    2. Sen, Amartya, 1988. "The concept of development," Handbook of Development Economics, in: Hollis Chenery & T.N. Srinivasan (ed.), Handbook of Development Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 1, pages 9-26, Elsevier.
    3. Shivani Gupta & Agnes Meershoek & Luc P. de Witte, 2022. "Using the Capability Approach to Review the National Legislative Frameworks for Support Services for Persons with Disabilities in Four Countries in Asia," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Wei Zhang & Arne H. Eide & Wesley Pryor & Chapal Khasnabis & Johan Borg, 2021. "Measuring Self-Reported Access to Assistive Technology Using the WHO Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) Questionnaire: Protocol for a Multi-Country Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Sen, Amartya, 1999. "Commodities and Capabilities," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195650389.
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