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fjette's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Solid discussion of how “improvement” is a double edged sword and what that can actually look like, in positive and negative ways. I found the final chapter to have the most new information for me but I would definitely recommend this to people interested in disability justice and not sure where to start.
chamomiledaydreams's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
This book made my brain buzz the entire time I was reading it. I hadn't heard of technoableism before, but Ashley Shew does a great job explaining it in simple terms then exploring it more deeply in each chapter.
In essence, technoableism is the belief that technology can/should/will be used to "fix" people with disabilities. Oftentimes, technoableism prioritizes the comfort of non-disabled people over disabled people, as is the case when non-disabled people prefer arm prosthetics with a realistic set of five fingers, while amputees themselves might prefer prosthetics that prioritize function over form, when they feel like wearing prosthetics aft all.
Shew discusses the complexity of technology in the lives of disabled people, explaining that some technologies are genuinely useful for some people, but that non-disabled people tend to put more stock in being perceived as "normal" than disabled people do. For instance, Shew compares taking her leg prosthetic off every night to removing her bra after work: It is a relief to not worry about appearing presentable and to be able to exist comfortably in your own skin.
One reason why this book resonated with me so much is that Shew acknowledges how vast and varied the disability community is. Everyone's needs are unique, and it is strange that amputees and autistic people fall under the same label. This is great from a community/solidarity standpoint, but it means that non-disabled people run the risk of lumping together vastly different identities and experiences.
Still, I was able to relate to and connect with the stories and sentiments that Shew expressed throughout this book. I have low vision, and earlier this year, I attended an online discussion about low vision driving. I got my learner's permit back in high school but never received a proper license for a variety of reasons. Now I know more about the resources that exist for folks with low vision, specifically bioptic lenses (telescopes mounted on top of glasses, to work around the fact that regular glasses cannot "fix" low vision). At the time, I wondered, "Is it wrong that I don't want to look into bioptics for myself?"
"Technoableism" is firm in its stance that disabled people know their own limits and should not feel pressured to achieve "normality" for the sake of non-disabled people. Just because a wheelchair-user can walk a little on their own does not mean that they should push themself beyond their limits just so non-disabled people can applaud them for doing a good job. Strangers often don't understand how much of a toll tasks that seem mundane to them can take for a disabled person.
I have a pair of glasses, for example, that help me see things from a distance, although I seldom use them. They are only helpful to me in a handful of situations. When I watch Jeopardy at home, for instance, I have trouble reading the questions, unless I am sitting very close to the TV. If I put on my glasses, then I get dizzy whenever I look at things that are too close to me, making eating and watching the show at the same time challenging. (I can't even admire my cats properly!) Even though the text onscreen appears sharper when I wear glasses, the ensuing headaches leave me exhausted, and I would much rather forgo the ordeal and just listen to the questions as they are read aloud.
In cases such as my own, the technology to mitigate my disability exists, but a complex set of factors prevents me from being permanently "fixed" by it. What non-disabled people often fail to understand is that the milestones they value are not universal. Yes, being able to drive would grant me more agency and mobility, but I shouldn't need a driver's license to be viewed as a mature and capable adult. And I would much rather have accessibility features that allow me to enlarge onscreen text than to wear my glasses in order to follow along as quickly as my well-seeing peers.
Just as Shew writes in her final chapter about envisioning a disabled future, I do not dream of a world in which people like me no longer exist; I dream of a world where we are properly accommodated and understood and where people allow us to comfortably exist without wondering why we don't do something to "fix" ourselves—a sentiment which reeks of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality that is so common in the United States.
In a technoableist world that applauds amputees for donning prosthetics and becoming athletes, we need to remind people that just taking care of yourself is okay, too. Disabled people don't need to be exceptional to be appreciated and respected. We should aim for a world that allows for and protects people with disabilities rather than a world in which they no longer exist. We need to accept that disability is a common side-effect of living and aging and embrace it as such.
Some people cannot walk on their own, and that is okay. Some people cannot hear and do not wish to change that, and that is okay. Some people have low vision and are not keen on trying bioptic driving, and that is okay. Let disabled people live their lives as they see fit, and do not think less highly of them because of it.
In essence, technoableism is the belief that technology can/should/will be used to "fix" people with disabilities. Oftentimes, technoableism prioritizes the comfort of non-disabled people over disabled people, as is the case when non-disabled people prefer arm prosthetics with a realistic set of five fingers, while amputees themselves might prefer prosthetics that prioritize function over form, when they feel like wearing prosthetics aft all.
Shew discusses the complexity of technology in the lives of disabled people, explaining that some technologies are genuinely useful for some people, but that non-disabled people tend to put more stock in being perceived as "normal" than disabled people do. For instance, Shew compares taking her leg prosthetic off every night to removing her bra after work: It is a relief to not worry about appearing presentable and to be able to exist comfortably in your own skin.
One reason why this book resonated with me so much is that Shew acknowledges how vast and varied the disability community is. Everyone's needs are unique, and it is strange that amputees and autistic people fall under the same label. This is great from a community/solidarity standpoint, but it means that non-disabled people run the risk of lumping together vastly different identities and experiences.
Still, I was able to relate to and connect with the stories and sentiments that Shew expressed throughout this book. I have low vision, and earlier this year, I attended an online discussion about low vision driving. I got my learner's permit back in high school but never received a proper license for a variety of reasons. Now I know more about the resources that exist for folks with low vision, specifically bioptic lenses (telescopes mounted on top of glasses, to work around the fact that regular glasses cannot "fix" low vision). At the time, I wondered, "Is it wrong that I don't want to look into bioptics for myself?"
"Technoableism" is firm in its stance that disabled people know their own limits and should not feel pressured to achieve "normality" for the sake of non-disabled people. Just because a wheelchair-user can walk a little on their own does not mean that they should push themself beyond their limits just so non-disabled people can applaud them for doing a good job. Strangers often don't understand how much of a toll tasks that seem mundane to them can take for a disabled person.
I have a pair of glasses, for example, that help me see things from a distance, although I seldom use them. They are only helpful to me in a handful of situations. When I watch Jeopardy at home, for instance, I have trouble reading the questions, unless I am sitting very close to the TV. If I put on my glasses, then I get dizzy whenever I look at things that are too close to me, making eating and watching the show at the same time challenging. (I can't even admire my cats properly!) Even though the text onscreen appears sharper when I wear glasses, the ensuing headaches leave me exhausted, and I would much rather forgo the ordeal and just listen to the questions as they are read aloud.
In cases such as my own, the technology to mitigate my disability exists, but a complex set of factors prevents me from being permanently "fixed" by it. What non-disabled people often fail to understand is that the milestones they value are not universal. Yes, being able to drive would grant me more agency and mobility, but I shouldn't need a driver's license to be viewed as a mature and capable adult. And I would much rather have accessibility features that allow me to enlarge onscreen text than to wear my glasses in order to follow along as quickly as my well-seeing peers.
Just as Shew writes in her final chapter about envisioning a disabled future, I do not dream of a world in which people like me no longer exist; I dream of a world where we are properly accommodated and understood and where people allow us to comfortably exist without wondering why we don't do something to "fix" ourselves—a sentiment which reeks of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality that is so common in the United States.
In a technoableist world that applauds amputees for donning prosthetics and becoming athletes, we need to remind people that just taking care of yourself is okay, too. Disabled people don't need to be exceptional to be appreciated and respected. We should aim for a world that allows for and protects people with disabilities rather than a world in which they no longer exist. We need to accept that disability is a common side-effect of living and aging and embrace it as such.
Some people cannot walk on their own, and that is okay. Some people cannot hear and do not wish to change that, and that is okay. Some people have low vision and are not keen on trying bioptic driving, and that is okay. Let disabled people live their lives as they see fit, and do not think less highly of them because of it.
romecca's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Dr. Shew's book resonated with me on so many levels as a person with a disability. She articulates so well many ideas and concepts that I have had throughout my life. And I absolutely love how she is unapologetic yet methodical in explaining important concepts in the disability community. I learned so much from this book as is evidenced by my many, many highlights.
Dr. Shew uses the example of technology to demonstrate how society focuses on "fixing" disability rather than accepting and celebrating differences. This idea of technology curing disability is ableist at its core. It's using the nondisabled way of life as the norm or standard to measure all others. A critical point is the idea that this technology is created without the input of disabled persons - the real experts. Dr. Shew also gives an excellent overview of the Disability Justice movement and the history of disability. Her chapter on neurodiversity was eye-opening.
This is a topic I'm obviously very passionate about so I apologize for the scattered thoughts in this review. This book reinforces the idea that disability is not tragic. It feels good to read a book about disability, written by a person with a disability that reinforces the idea that disability is an intrinsic part of me. I highly recommend this book!
Dr. Shew uses the example of technology to demonstrate how society focuses on "fixing" disability rather than accepting and celebrating differences. This idea of technology curing disability is ableist at its core. It's using the nondisabled way of life as the norm or standard to measure all others. A critical point is the idea that this technology is created without the input of disabled persons - the real experts. Dr. Shew also gives an excellent overview of the Disability Justice movement and the history of disability. Her chapter on neurodiversity was eye-opening.
This is a topic I'm obviously very passionate about so I apologize for the scattered thoughts in this review. This book reinforces the idea that disability is not tragic. It feels good to read a book about disability, written by a person with a disability that reinforces the idea that disability is an intrinsic part of me. I highly recommend this book!
andreareyes's review against another edition
3.0
I always appreciate books that give me perspective into an experience different than my own. I learned a lot!