Significance of this website

     In society, there still seems to be a stigma on disabled individuals not being able to be independent just because they have a disability. This stigma is in part due to the fact that many people are uneducated on disability and tend to in turn perceive disability as what society portrays it as. “…it reduces the person to a tainted or discounted status.” (Davis, 2017). Many individuals who have disabilities can and are living independent lives without constant assistance from other people contrary to this stigma. At times, yes someone with a disability may need help, but the same is applied to able-bodied people.

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     This stigma causes in some instances, as the book Stigma related to physical and sensory disabilities, points out that, “…disability can affect societal attitudes toward people” ( Livneh, H., Chan, F., & Kaya, C. (2014)). By showing these apps in which correlate with disability, I hope to try in some ways to “normalize” per say the idea of disability. Many people shy away from the "taboo" topic of disability even though it is a topic needed to be talked about. By creating this website and sharing these apps, it helps to introduce the topic in a subtle way to those who may feel uncomfortable talking about disability. Furthermore, all of these apps can be useful for both visually impaired and sighted individuals. In that, it shows how these resources can help all people despite their circumstances. For instance, the LookTel Nant Mobile App can be used by both sighted and non-sighted people to distinguish the differences between currencies. In a world consumed by technology little connections between people like these apps can help to reduce the discrimination and stigmas present in society about disability. 

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     Not only do I want to simply just inform people on these useful apps, but by creating this website I hope these apps may show in some regards how people with disabilities do not have to always be dependent on someone else to help them live their lives. To begin addressing this issue society as a whole as to redefine/erase the lines between able-bodied and disabled individuals. “Coleman-Brown theorizes that the relation between stigmatized and nonstigmatized people is always an inferior/superior one,” (Davis, 2017). The idea of able-bodied people feeling superior, therefore seeing everyone else as needing help, creates the stigma of disability preventing independence which should be erased. As I mentioned above technology is a great way to demonstrate and enforce the need for equality between all groups of people.

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     These apps I am discussing all allow individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment to live independently. By posting several apps made for visual impairments, I hope to share and counter the stigma that disabled individuals can not live independently. Technology has helped both abled-bodied and disabled individual live self-sufficient lives by creating access to tools and knowledge that may pertain to everyday situations. Apps help to make life easier and more convenient for people. One study done on a device made for blind and visually impaired people showed that, “By contrast to white canes, the 3DOD system provides a better overview to choose an effective and safe route independently before bumping against them”( Zeng, L., Prescher, D., Weber, G.,2012). Digital devices can help as shown, blind or visually impaired individuals, or other people with different disabilities to move around easier by themselves. These apps are simply a tool to aid in living independently just like one may use an app to help them get somewhere. 

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     All in all, it is important for society as a whole to work together to become more educated on topics such as disabilities in order to eliminate stigmas like this one.