LS 581, Universal Design for Information Technologies

 Current ADA descriptions of what constitutes a disability provides limitations through the way the mental or physical disability must impair a major life activity, such as walking, talking, seeing or learning. When compared with the concepts of the ICF and the BMW Meta-Model, the latter two factor in critical aspects of what an individual with a disability might encounter, such as their social environment, as well as physical. Where the current ADA concepts focus on the individual with the disability, the other two integrate physical, mental, environmental, and social aspects, thus making it more comprehensive. The ICF classifications acknowledge that disability occurs in varying degrees  The BMW-Meta method brings to light the unfortunate nature of how our environment is typically more limiting to an individual than their own disability. This method also shows how limiting ADA descriptions of what constitutes a disability can be as qualifications for special services have to...

 My rendition of a person with a disability shows a person siting in a wheelchair because they have a physical disability that requires the use of one. My drawing of an elderly person features a person that walks with a cane in case their balance is off or they are unsteady and they have glasses to show that their eyesight has declines. I drew both individuals with a smile on their face.  After watching the videos and reading the course material in this module, my biggest takeaway is the importance of a person-first centered approach when discussing access, providing service, and meeting individualized needs. The way the  Guidelines For Writing about People with Disabilities  frame this language establishes a connection with the person, then the disability they have to make it clear that a person is a person, not defined by their disability, especially when their disability if visually evident. Judging someone's capabilities off of what you see visually is one of the...