Bachelor of Arts in Photography: Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Assistive Technology for Photographers

Objectives Define assistive technology Discuss issues for photographers with disabilities Learn about disabled photographers and how they work Learn about the technologies disabled photographers use

Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life. Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb. - Assistive Technology Definition

Discussion In groups discuss what issues photographers with the following disabilities face? Blind Mobility Parkinson's Disease

Photographers with Mobility Disabilities Loren Worthington Wheelchair user Company manager Photographer Runs a website that photographs wheelchair athletes:

Loren Worthington

Loren's Photography Kit Mount 'n Mover wheelchair mounting system Replaces a tripod Easy to position Custom memory locks Easily adjusts

Loren's Photography Kit 'Quad-pod' designed for able-bodied photographers Adapted by Loren Used as a knee pod Can hold the camera with one hand

Loren's Photography Kit Telestick Loren uses this to pick up batteries, lenses, etc from the floor

Mobility Assistive Technology Camera Switches hands-free camera shutter release switch used by skydivers to disabled Tongue switches are also available Developed by Conceptus Originally marketed at skydivers, now popular with disabled and able bodied photographers

Photographers with Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's Disease can make photography a challenge There are tools that can be used to assist the photographer

Photographers with Parkinson's Disease But some disabled photographers don't need much assistive technology to make art. These pictures were taken by Alan Babbit who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Tremor Enhanced Photography

Since the late 1960’s, I’ve been doing my own brand of fine art photography and it’s always been a great source of joy for me. Drop me almost anywhere there’s nice light and I can happily get lost for hours in the visuals around me. That began to change when the movement disorder known as Parkinson's Disease (PD) arrived, like a loud, uninvited house guest who won't ever leave. First I got a hand tremor. Oh, great. Shakiness. Just what a photographer needs. Then, my photography muse, who’d been with me for years, took off without leaving a forwarding address. The bitch! I soon lost interest in the whole thing. Rarely venturing out to shoot and bored with the results. Darkness filled my viewfinder. Then one night, on the Las Vegas Strip of all places, I began to see the light! And there, before me, appeared a new, improved muse, who leaned in and whispered, "Silly boy! Don't fight it - use it!" Doh! I began to let the tremor have its way as I clicked the shutter. From: Alan Babbitt

Assistive Technology Many devices from the following manufacturers/researchers: ORCCA Technology, Inc Conceptus JOBY RERC

Visually Impaired Photographers a large LCD screen But can someone who is fully blind be a successful photographer?

Blind Photographers Use four other senses Imagination Learn photography basics Use the heat of the sun, smells, noises to base their shots i.e. the smell of a flower Done to express themselves, document their lives Share memories with others

Blind Photographers Watch how an award winning blind photographer manages with his disability

Blind Photographers Blind photographers rely on their senses and experiences to take photos, but some people also use technology to help them with their art. VoiceOver on iPhone and Mac can help with editing CameraBag does automatic editing vOICe app for phones analyses the light and plays different sounds depending on the brightness However, most blind photographers use their brain to form a mental composite image

Disabled photographers have the ability to become award winning and professional photographers. These individuals can use existing technology and adapt it to their needs Or they can use specially made assistive technology to practice their art Summary