Jane Velkovski: The life-changing power of assistive technologies | TED | Summary and Q&A

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Jane Velkovski: The life-changing power of assistive technologies | TED

TL;DR

In this heartfelt speech, Jane Velkovski, a 13-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), emphasizes the importance of accessibility and assistive technologies, like her wheelchair, in enabling individuals with disabilities to achieve freedom, independence, and the ability to pursue their passions.

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Key Insights

  • 👧 Disabilities and Football: The narrator, a 13-year-old girl with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), shares her love for football and the joy it has brought her, including meeting famous players and speaking at the United Nations. Her wheelchair has played a crucial role in enabling her to participate in these experiences.
  • 🚲 Limited Access to Assistive Technology: The narrator highlights the lack of access to assistive technology for people with disabilities, with only 1 in 10 individuals who require it having access. She emphasizes the importance of wheelchairs and calls for equal access to assistive products for everyone who needs them.
  • 👶 Early Access to Wheelchairs: The narrator emphasizes the need for children with disabilities to have access to wheelchairs at an early age, ensuring they have the same opportunities to explore and navigate the world as their peers. She expresses concern for the period between two to six years old when she was reliant on others for movement.
  • 🎁 Donations and Generosity: The narrator recounts receiving her power wheelchair as a donation from another family whose child had outgrown it. She expresses gratitude for the gift of freedom and independence it has provided, but highlights the need for access to assistive products to not rely on charity or luck.
  • 🗣 Empowering Children with Disabilities: The narrator shares the importance of allowing children with disabilities to have autonomy and independence. She highlights how her power chair enabled her to socialize, make friends, and participate actively in daily activities, emphasizing the potential for children with disabilities to contribute to society.
  • 🌍 Accessibility in Society: The narrator calls for society to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in everyday activities. This includes the need for physical infrastructure such as ramps, elevators, and accessible transportation, making the environment more inclusive for all.
  • 👥 Mutual Support and Contribution: The narrator shares her belief in mutual support, where individuals help each other regardless of their abilities. She highlights her own strengths, such as academic knowledge, and how she can contribute to her community and society, emphasizing the importance of collective support.
  • 👀 Empathy and Action: The narrator expresses discomfort with being stared at and encourages people to shift their focus from staring to caring. She calls for people to take action to improve accessibility, suggesting looking for ways to help and advocating for change at a personal and governmental level. She emphasizes the importance of listening to individuals with disabilities and their needs.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jane Velkovski become involved in raising awareness about equality and access issues in football?

Jane Velkovski became involved in raising awareness about equality and access issues in football through a campaign by UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations. She was offered the opportunity to join this brilliant campaign, which gave her the chance to meet famous players and speak at the United Nations General Assembly.

Q: What role did Jane's wheelchair play in her ability to participate in various activities and experiences?

Jane's wheelchair played a crucial role in her ability to participate in various activities and experiences. It provided her with freedom, independence, and the ability to move around. Without her wheelchair, she would not have been able to do things that she could do with it, such as attending events, meeting her heroes, and speaking at important gatherings.

Q: How many people with disabilities have access to the assistive technology they need?

Only one in 10 people with disabilities, who are in need of assistive technology, have access to it. This means that the majority, 90 percent, do not have the assistive technology they require to achieve their full potential. The lack of access to assistive technology is a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

Q: When did Jane receive her power wheelchair and how did she obtain it?

Jane received her power wheelchair when she was five years old, a year before she started primary school. However, she did not receive it from the government or health insurance, or because her parents could afford it. Instead, it was a donation from another family overseas. Their generosity allowed Jane to gain the freedom and independence she needed.

Q: What message does Jane want to convey about the importance of assistive technology for children with disabilities?

Jane believes that assistive technology, such as a wheelchair, is crucial for children with disabilities. It allows them to explore the world, have freedom of movement, and fulfill their potential. Jane emphasizes that access to assistive technology should not rely on luck or charity, but should be made available to all who need it. She advocates for inclusive policies and environments that support individuals with disabilities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • The speaker, Jane Velkovski, is a passionate football fan who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

  • Jane has had amazing experiences in her life, such as joining a campaign by UEFA, speaking at the United Nations, and receiving a donated power wheelchair.

  • Jane believes that access to assistive technology, like wheelchairs, should be available to all individuals with disabilities, and that society should remove barriers and provide support for their full potential.

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