Dr Amy Kavanagh was one of the first blind people I found online when I became blind and I learnt a lot from her. it’s been great to see her journey to becoming a mum and here she is raising awareness in Stylist magazine so brilliantly as always! | “I still encounter surprise and shock that I’m #blind and a parent. I recently had a waitress ask with genuine confusion “is that your baby?” when I was in the middle of breastfeeding. I try to ignore these comments but find I do feel the weight of them on me, especially on those hard, exhausting days.” #PartiallySighted#disabled#Disability#motherhood@disability https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/motherhood-blind-mum-experiences/813403
"DOJ and EEOC Warn: Employers’ Use of Artificial Intelligence Can Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act"
Tools used by employers that rely on algorithms or artificial intelligence, like computer testing of job applicants and software to "score" resumes, "may result in unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)", according to the US DOJ.
The DOJ and the EEOC both released "technical assistance" documents, warning to employers and providing guidance about potential disability employment discrimination. The Americans with disabilities act (ADA), requires employers to provide "reasonable accommodation" to applicants and employees that suits their disability. The EEOC provided examples in their "assistance document" (linked below), one of which, seems to be a challenge I might face with one, or more of my disabilities.
"A job application requires a timed math test using a keyboard. Angela has severe arthritis and cannot type quickly. Typing quickly is not necessary for the job. Angela will fail the test if she takes it without a reasonable accommodation. The reasonable accommodation could be speaking the answers or having more time for the test."
In my case, having one fully functioning hand, using a keyboard with speed and accuracy is no longer an option, so AI would screen me out. I'm fortunate to have quality voice recognition software to dictate and control computer function. Speaking the answers would be a necessary accommodation to my limb difference disability but, other disabilities and factors can come into play.
For example, a person with brain injury or autism may require a different accommodations, as would someone who is hearing or visually impaired. The ADA document "Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and Disability Discrimination in Hiring", gives another example:
"… if a county government uses facial and voice analysis technologies to evaluate applicants’ skills and abilities, people with disabilities like autism or speech impairments may be screened out, even if they are qualified for the job."
Considering ableism, ignorant attitudes and discrimination from humans, people with disabilities face enough barriers. The last thing we need is to be further excluded by artificial intelligence and machines. The releases below from the DOJ, EEOC and ADA also offer guidance about recognition, rights and what to do if AI discriminates against you.
As new associate editor of Frontier Poetry, I have the pleasure of writing their exceptional poetry column every month! My first one just came out; in it, I look at poems featuring #disability , #pluralsystem , #reproductivejustice and more. Check it out below.
Busting the Deinstitutionalization Myth: We Actually Have More Beds Than Ever Before
New data upends common beliefs about asylum closures, deinstitutionalization, and rates of psychiatric coercion.
Mad Crip doula: offering holistic and emotional spiritual bodymind care, mixed with practical and crisis support (and plant medicine). moving from a liberation-centered and anti-oppressive lens. a transition doula with skills in: abortion, death, grief, Madness, and Disability.
endorsing: non-carceral, peer-led mental health care systems that exist outside of the state, reimagining everything we’ve come to learn about madness, and intervening in systems that oppress, disappear, and kill Disabled and mad folks.
Please Note: I don’t know Them in any capacity and They sure look bad-ass
Some of you may be aware of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "The Drum" segment on August 17 2023, where the host engaged in incredible levels of ableism and misogyny (yes, she's a woman, it happens).
This is Romance Writers of Australia rebuttal to that gross bullshit:
#CfP for the #panel "Reimagining Premodern #Disability: Excess, Surplus, Gain", which will take place at the Northeast Modern Languages Association (#NeMLA #@northeastMLA) convention in Boston on March 7-10, 2024.
The alacrity with which both big business AND academia have jumped on board ChatGPT, Midjourney, et al shows that the fact that 33 years post-ADA most things are not even in full ADA compliance IS A CHOICE.
Academia is very quickly adopting things without ethical regulation in place...clearly their slowness to adhere to a rock bottom law is because at heart abled people feel more warm & fuzzy towards an algorithm than actual disabled human beings.