How Robots Can Help Us Embrace a More Human View of Disability From: ECN - 05/04/2017 By: Thusha Rajendran When dealing with the otherness of disability, the Victorians in their shame built huge out-of-sight asylums, and their legacy of "them" and "us" continues to this day. Two hundred years later, technologies offer us an alternative view. The digital age is shattering barriers, and what used to the norm is now being challenged. What if we could change the environment, rather than the person? What if a virtual assistant could help a visually impaired person with their online shopping? And what if a robot "buddy" could help a person with autism navigate the nuances of workplace politics? These are just some of the questions that are being asked and which need answers as the digital age challenges our perceptions of normality. Read the entire article at: https://www.ecnmag.com/news/2017/05/how-robots-can-help-us-embrace-more-human-view-disability Links: Natural Born Cyborgs? https://www.edge.org/conversation/natural-born-cyborgs How social robots are dispelling myths and caring for humans https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/09/robots-social-health-care-elderly-children What does neurotypical mean? https://www.different-together.co.uk/neurotypical Specialisterne works to enable jobs for people with autism and similar challenges http://dk.specialisterne.com/en Neurodiversity: a person, a perspective, a movement? http://the-art-of-autism.com/neurodiverse-a-person-a-perspective-a-movement Related: 'MoodPrism' App Helps Track Moods, Promotes Emotional Self-Awareness https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/04/moodprism-app-helps-track-moods-promotes-emotional-self-awareness After Son's Diagnosis, Engineer Begins Inventing Autism Therapy Technologies https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/01/after-sons-diagnosis-engineer-begins-inventing-autism-therapy-technologies Virtual Reality Can Help Treat Severe Paranoia https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/05/virtual-reality-can-help-treat-severe-paranoia New Mobile Health Platform eMindLog Helps Consumers Track Stress, Anxiety, Depression for Mental Wellbeing https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/03/new-mobile-health-platform-emindlog-helps-consumers-track-stress-anxiety-depression-mental-wellbeing