Ethical Innovation vs. Practicality in Disability Technology

In academic research, the pursuit of advancing technology often leads researchers to seek funding either from the military or by proposing applications for disabled individuals. However, many projects aiming to assist disabled individuals lack a genuine connection to disability or interest in the community itself; instead, the focus remains on the technology. This approach shields the projects from criticism under the guise of aiding disabled individuals, although the research may lack applicability or integration into the lives of the intended beneficiaries. The disconnect arises from the influence of the medical industrial complex and the impracticality of the research, highlighting the importance of involving disabled leadership and interests in the development of technologies for the disabled.