Mobility and technology

When I read about this Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site that now allows those who cannot go to email a prayer that will be read to the icon of the Virgin Mary, I was struck by how technology cannot be left out of a discussion of mobility.

I write about mobility a lot, because I've met so many people who experience it differently because of living with a disability. Perhaps they need equipment or accessible transportation or an aide to travel with them. Mobility can be extremely restricted for many of our disabled citizens who cannot obtain these products or services.

The sad thing is that for many of those who fall into that category, access to technology is also restricted. Owning a computer with online access is not a given, although it can cut across mobility restrictions. It also can be quite a bit cheaper, albeit not the same, as other services and products.

With the advent of video cameras built into some computers and the widespread use of Skype, there are free ways to communicate face to face with others. Email, IM's and chat rooms are also free and easily available. For an individual who isn't able to travel and for those who are homebound, the use of these technologies can make a difference in quality of life and afford a level of mobility that wasn't available before, at least in a "cyber" way.

Although I'd never encourage actual mobility to be substituted by the use of a computer, it is an alternative in the event when other forms of mobility can't be accessed. It is, however, not yet available to many who struggle with issues of poverty as well as disability.