Linkspam: Screen Backlash is a Disability Issue

[davidgillon]

I think there's a pretty good point in here: Screen Backlash is a Disability Issue

And it goes beyond the public use covered in the article, to cover spoonies and other folk who simply can't get out of the house to do their interacting in meatspace.

People who denigrate virtual communities just don't pay any attention to those of us for whom they're vital, and 'but I didn't mean you' doesn't fix the damage it does.

Comments

[rmc28]

Yup.

"Screen time" made a huge difference to my ability to cope with the worst bits in hospital, and continues to be my major contact with other humans outside my home.

(which you know, but meh, feel it's worth repeating)

[davidgillon]

Yep, would really have managed a lot better with phone and kindle when I was in for that week last year.

And I did know it, but needed reminding that compromised immune system is another reason for virtual communicating (still not firing on all cylinders after the writing marathon). I actually had a friend go through the full bone marrow transplant regime a couple of years ago and he said it was really useful on the days when he was well enough his mind needed distracting.

[jadelennox]

Indeed. Not to mention the huge advance they've been for blind/VI folks, for d/Deaf folks who can communicate anywhere in sign without needing to translate to English writing or work through interpreters, to mobility impaired folks who use them as controllers....

Oh, and every time I see a rant about mobiles in restaurants I think about all the times I've looked up unfaimilar foods against my mtriad allergies.

[davidgillon]

Oh, there's some really good examples in there I hadn't thought of, particularly the allergy one!

[untonuggan]

Not to mention the number of college professors who think "ban laptops in the classroom" will get people to pay attention more, when that's actually against the Americans with Disabilities Act (and I think the UK equivalent). I can't take notes with pen and paper anymore, even though I prefer it, because I run out of hand juice partway through. typing though? Typing works.

Thanks for the link!

[davidgillon]

Absolutely, laptop use is a key reasonable adjustment for a lot of people and you aren't going to be able to argue against it under the Equality Act. I'm amazed I got through my degree writing manually. Not just in being able to make notes, but in being able to decipher them afterwards, and for the people marking my exams!

[cloudsinvenice]

I'm always frustrated by that "screens are ruining everything!" argument, and the blog you linked brings the underlying reason beautifully into focus. I always want to say to the people writing those criticisms, "Hey, just because it doesn't bring you deep personal fulfilment and connection doesn't mean it's the same for everyone!" I wouldn't know my partner or most of my friends without the internet!