Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement

Ashley Shew argues that disability is not an individual problem but a social one, and that we can create better narratives and more accessible futures by drawing from the insights of the cross-disability community. Shew suggests that we should learn to envision disabilities not as liabilities but as skill sets enabling us to navigate a challenging world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

When bioethicist and professor Ashley Shew became a self-described "hard-of-hearing chemo-brained amputee with Crohns disease and tinnitus," there was no returning to "normal." Suddenly, well-meaning people called her an "inspiration" while grocery shopping or viewed her as a needy recipient of technological wizardry. Most disabled people don't want what the abled assume they want—nor are they generally asked. Why do abled people frame disability as an individual problem that calls for technological solutions, rather than a social one?

In a warm, feisty, opinionated voice and vibrant prose, Shew shows how we can create better narratives and more accessible futures by drawing from the insights of the cross-disability community. For the future is surely disabled—whether through changing climate, new diseases, or even through space travel. It's time we looked closely at how we all think about disability technologies and learn to envision disabilities not as liabilities but as skill sets enabling all of us to navigate a challenging world.

The book is divided into three parts: Part I explores the history and culture of disability, from ancient times to the present day. Part II examines the social and political implications of disability, from the civil rights movement to the current debate over healthcare reform. Part III offers practical advice for creating more accessible and inclusive environments, from the design of buildings and public spaces to the development of technology and policies.

Throughout the book, Shew challenges the dominant narrative that disability is a problem that needs to be solved through technological solutions. Instead, she argues that disability is a natural part of human diversity and that we can create better futures by embracing and celebrating it. Shew draws on her own experiences as a disabled person to provide a powerful and personal perspective on the issues facing the cross-disability community. Shew's writing is accessible and engaging, making it an ideal resource for students, activists, and anyone interested in learning more about disability and the importance of creating more accessible and inclusive environments.

In conclusion, "Disability Isn't a Problem to Be Solved" is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and compelling perspective on disability. By drawing from the insights of the cross-disability community, Shew challenges the dominant narrative that disability is a problem that needs to be solved through technological solutions. Instead, she argues that disability is a natural part of human diversity and that we can create better futures by embracing and celebrating it. The book is accessible and engaging, making it an ideal resource for students, activists, and anyone interested in learning more about disability and the importance of creating more accessible and inclusive environments.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 146 x 218 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324036661