Assistive Technology and Human Rights in the Global Context

Presenter:  Mark Harniss, Clinical Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine 

Date/Time: May 4, 2018, 12:00-1:00 pm
Location: D Center (MGH 024)

Talk Title:  Assistive Technology and Human Rights in the Global Context

Abstract:  Assistive technologies (AT) are products and services that support people with disabilities in activities of daily living, community engagement, and employment. Access to AT can be conceptualized as both a human right and as a means for accessing other human rights. Globally, access to AT is limited with an estimated 5-15% of all people who need AT having access. In this presentation, I will talk about the global context for access to AT with reference to access issues in the United States. I’ll draw on my experience attending two international conferences on AT in 2017 using funding from the Harlan Hahn endowment. These conferences included The GREAT Summit (Global Research, Innovation, and Education in Assistive Technology) hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland and the 5th AfriNEAD Conference hosted by the African Evidence to Action Network (AfriNEAD) and the Kwama Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. These conferences were based on different understandings of disability and the role of researchers, practitioners, and people with disabilities in relation to assistive technology access. Attending these conferences in close succession allowed me to compare/contrast perspectives on AT provision and to critically evaluate different approaches. I will discuss tensions and points of agreement between these two different communities.

Bio: Mark Harniss is a Clinical Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine with an interest in assistive technologies for people with disabilities. He teaches the core Disability Studies course DIS ST 433: Disability Law, Policy, and the Community.  

Accessibility info: CART captioning and ASL interpretation have been requested for this event. The D Center is wheelchair accessible and is a scent-free space.

Contact info: Jose Alaniz, jos23 at uw.edu