Technology & Inclusivity: How tech has changed what it means to be deaf.

Several times in our blogs, we have shared stories of technology breaking barriers. But this TED Talk tells a different story (and one that you should not miss). Rebecca Knill explains how with technological advancements “the biggest obstacle I face as a deaf person is no longer a physical barrier. It’s the way that people respond to my deafness”.

She explains that technology has done a great job at providing access: her 26 brain implants have allowed her to hear everything (but also not hear when she does not want to- a great function, she says, for getting through your friend’s three-hour concert). However, it now needs to work towards assimilation. She talks about the importance of replacing phrases like “Closed Captions for The Hearing Impaired” with “Subtitles: On/Off” to changing the public’s reaction to deafness.

“Technology has come so far. Our mindset just needs to catch up”. Click below to watch this funny and definitely insightful TED Talk.

Rebecca Knill: How technology has changed what it’s like to be deaf

“Complete silence is very addictive,” says Rebecca Knill, a writer who has cochlear implants that enable her to hear. In this funny, insightful talk, she explores the evolution of assistive listening technology, the outdated way people still respond to deafness and how we can shift our cultural understanding of ability to build a more inclusive world.

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