[sudo-discuss] Fwd: [sudo-info] reaching out from google.org regarding an assistive technology hackathon

Wed Jun 24 19:49:22 PDT 2015

PS.

Looks like they've switched to the hangouts API:
https://developers.google.com/+/hangouts/api/ and it's not clear to me that
there codec platform is open anymore based on looking at the reference
functions/classes.

On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 7:44 PM, Cere Misc <cere.misc at gmail.com> wrote:

> One idea I have had for a long time now is that there should be a special
> audio codec used in phone communication for the elderly.  Since it's often
> the case that hearing loss degrades in ways that are spectrally
> predictable, it should, in theory, be very possible to tune codecs to
> present speech (and audio generally) in such a way that an elderly person
> could hear it much better.  Last time I looked at this, I couldn't find
> anyone who was trying to tackle this via open APIs, etc.
>
> I personally, would love to better be able to talk to my aging relatively
> over the phone without having to repeat myself over and over.  That is,
> assuming that the goddam phone network provides enough basic bandwidth to
> get the data across successfully.
>
> Since google is the one who is looking for solutions, then they should be
> game to collaborate on a project where a group attempts to alter the Speex
> codec for that purpose.
> https://developers.google.com/talk/open_communications#codecs
>
> .02
> Cere
>
> On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 6:30 PM, Ryan <yandoryn at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Oh my fucking god. I really, really hate this response.
>>
>> First of all, this entire idea revolves around the idea that there are no
>> disabled folks in tech. That the only way tech advances can happen is if we
>> get together the "need-knowers" and those with the "skills" can we find
>> "solutions" to the "problem" of disability. Yes, there are a lot of
>> scare-quotes in there. It's because I'm rolling my eyes so fucking hard
>> right now. It's stupidly infantilizing. On top of that, Google is
>> specifically saying they don't want to deal with solutions we can do now,
>> they want to come up with "new and innovative" solutions, which separate
>> the disabled community further, Otherizing them, and not countering the
>> social model of disability.
>>
>> What do I want them to do?
>>
>> I'd first of all like them to actually engage with the disabled community
>> before going out with their hearts on their sleeves with the sob story of
>> what disability is like to show everyone how much Google cares. Because
>> honestly, that's all I see in this. "Google cares so much about the
>> disabled community that they're interested in coming up with solutions that
>> can't be realized right now." And in doing so, they're ignoring the fact
>> that there are so many things they, Google, could be doing right now to
>> actually help the disabled community with technology that is stable and
>> exists, rather than "help us out" with "cutting-edge" technology.
>>
>> They could make it easier to access transcripts of YouTube videos.
>> They could identify where there are, and aren't, curb cuts on streets.
>> They could identify where there are crosswalks.
>> Where there are lights to cross a busy street.
>> They could see what businesses have a universal access sign in their
>> window.
>>
>> And those are things that they could easily do with their own technology
>> that I can think of off the top of my head that would simply help me.
>>
>> But no, they don't want me to identify those needs because they're not
>> "innovative" and the technology isn't exciting enough.
>>
>> Why do they need to use more exciting technology? Because that's the shit
>> that hits the papers. There's a reason you hear about exoskeletons and 3D
>> printed prostheses in the news. They're exciting to able-bodied,
>> neurotypical people who want to simultaneously feel good and be able to
>> ignore the disabled community.
>>
>> You know what would be fucking revolutionary? What if Google did a
>> hackathon for disabled techies? Rather than making the disabled community
>> ingratiated to those wonderful techies who reach out with all their charity
>> in order to help those who are under-privileged? That entire fucking
>> narrative is what I deal with every day. When I need help, I fucking ask
>> for it. But here's the irony: when I do need help, half the time I don't
>> get it. And when I don't need help, I constantly have it forced on me by
>> people in "good faith" who feel that their drive to help me is more
>> important than my desires or needs.
>>
>> Also, calling overt ableism a "misstep" is really fucking gross. Really
>> gross.
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 6:15 PM, Patrick O'Doherty <p at trickod.com> wrote:
>>
>>> So anyone who reaches out in good faith, asking for feedback and
>>> community engagement, but who missteps should be shunned and boycotted.
>>> That seems a tad extreme and counterproductive.
>>>
>>> What do you want them to say yes to, specifically in relation to
>>> creating an event like this?
>>> On 24 Jun 2015 6:08 pm, "Ryan" <yandoryn at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I can never understand why outright ableism is treated so differently
>>>> than other forms of prejudice.
>>>>
>>>> If Google had put together a hackathon where we swapped out
>>>> "disability" for "black," "women," or "queer," no one would quietly be
>>>> talking about how we should "explore the opportunity" so we can bring them
>>>> around. We'd be livid and working to boycott the project in general.
>>>>
>>>> What is it about ableism that allows us to grin and bear it, and look
>>>> for the long game rather than demanding short-term action? Why is the
>>>> disabled community asked to be quiet and meek, while their "allies" do just
>>>> as much damage as those who openly admit that they see us as objects or
>>>> unworthy of life?
>>>>
>>>> Oh, and it's not the "tech industry" that largely ableist. It's pretty
>>>> much every industry out there.
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 5:43 PM, Vicky Knox <vknoxsironi at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I'm no longer in town but I have something to say.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think this is a good opportunity to explore. I hear your concerns
>>>>> about their approach, Ryan. I am particularly irked by the inspirational
>>>>> music in the video. *shudders*
>>>>>
>>>>> That said, I would love to take this opportunity to transmit our
>>>>> collective concerns and critiques to them...call it "hacking their
>>>>> framing". :] Whether one likes it or not, these folks have a lot of power
>>>>> in shaping popular technology development and understandings into the
>>>>> future. While we may not revolutionize Google, we can at least encourage
>>>>> them to do their bidding in a way that is a little less evil.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm happy that they're directly reaching out to hackerspaces, which
>>>>> means they may take notes. I'm also happy that they're reaching out to us
>>>>> because our social ecosystem is quite a bit more diverse than theirs and
>>>>> therefore has more potential for wisdom (I wonder, have they reached out to
>>>>> Mothership or LOL?). The tech industry (or any business that requires a
>>>>> steep social capital (whiteness, maleness, ability to work 40+ hours/week,
>>>>> etc.) in order to have a better (or any) chance at getting employed), after
>>>>> all, is largely ableist and culturally stagnant. Please excuse my nesting.
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
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