5 Case Studies/Examples
Manahal Khalil
Historical Examples of Technoableism in Technology Development:
Television Remote Controls: Early television remote controls were designed with small buttons and complex layouts, making them difficult to use for people with fine motor skill challenges, such as those with arthritis or other dexterity impairments. The lack of consideration for users with these conditions led to a significant accessibility barrier, as these individuals struggled to perform basic functions like changing channels or adjusting the volume. Modern advancements have included larger buttons, voice control features, and simplified interfaces to address these issues, but the early designs exemplify technoableism in ignoring the needs of all potential users.
Early Computer Interfaces: Before graphical user interfaces (GUIs), early computers relied heavily on text-based commands entered via keyboards. These command-line interfaces were inaccessible to people with visual impairments, who could not see the text prompts or type accurately without visual cues. Additionally, individuals with dyslexia or other learning disabilities found these interfaces challenging due to the need for precise text input and the lack of visual aids. The introduction of GUIs, with their visual icons, menus, and mouse navigation, marked a significant step towards inclusivity, but the initial exclusionary design reflects technoableism in early computer development.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): When ATMs were first introduced, they were designed without audio outputs, making them inaccessible to visually impaired individuals who could not read the on-screen instructions or see the keypad. This design flaw excluded a significant portion of the population from independently using banking services, illustrating a clear example of technoableism. Over time, ATMs have been equipped with features such as braille keypads, audio instructions, and voice-guided assistance to accommodate visually impaired users. These improvements highlight the importance of considering diverse user needs in technology design to avoid marginalizing disabled individuals.