Disability studies as a source of critical inquiry for the field of assistive technology

TLDR

Disability studies and assistive technology share goals of understanding disability experience and addressing issues, yet differ in problem framing due to limited interfield connection. The authors aim to bridge this gap by reviewing disability studies literature and discussing its influence on teaching and future publication directions. They review key literature, present case studies of two assistive technology projects, and describe how disability studies shaped problem identification, research design, teaching, and publication choices. The case studies demonstrate that integrating disability studies identified new problems, altered research processes, and enhanced the impact on individuals living with disability.

Abstract

Disability studies and assistive technology are two related fields that have long shared common goals - understanding the experience of disability and identifying and addressing relevant issues. Despite these common goals, there are some important differences in what professionals in these fields consider problems, perhaps related to the lack of connection between the fields. To help bridge this gap, we review some of the key literature in disability studies. We present case studies of two research projects in assistive technology and discuss how the field of disability studies influenced that work, led us to identify new or different problems relevant to the field of assistive technology, and helped us to think in new ways about the research process and its impact on the experiences of individuals who live with disability. We also discuss how the field of disability studies has influenced our teaching and highlight some of the key publications and publication venues from which our community may want to draw more deeply in the future.