apps
Cashing in on impairment
The company has a web site called Healthful Apps.
Basically, they are Apps that you pay for which list other 'useful Apps' and review them (with user reviews invited).
It's Medical Model in that their site appsforall.net tells carers about Apps so that they can improve the quality of life for those who they care about and for.
Now I appreciate that some people with Alzheimer's may not be able to choose Apps and most of the software is used as 'tools' by care works and therapeutic staff - so aiming the App at health and social care workers may be appropriate.
However, they also make Apps for other people and this is where I felt uneasy.
I am sure that most people on dialysis can choose for themselves which Apps they might find useful - but here you will find one 'for them' called 'Dialysis Apps. It promises to be a 'gift' for those in dialysis and expresses how dialysis is a gruelling experience. Clearly it plays on the tragedy and charity model where disabled people are portrayed as pityful, needy and dependent on the 'gifts' bestowed upon them by the caring none-disabled members of society.
I was not Appy to say the least
Not only is the language quite sickening and disempowering but I had to ask myself is this another sign of cashing in on impairment? Granted it's only a couple of dollars (some individual ones for the equivalent of 59p) but there are lot's of review sites where you can find reviews for free and chat about them on disability forums etc as many people indeed do. Let's not forget the actual Apple App Store review and search functions where quite a lot of disabled people post a review from their own perspective.
The Alzheimer's App talks about Apps to calm and lift the spirit and another on Apps that improve memory.
I have heard of many people using Apps in this way and reaping the benefits - what I dislike is that these just sound so commercial. They are devoid of social model thinking, user engagement/input, empowerment etc and are clearly aimed at giving carers control of Apps they think disabled people should be using.
It gets worse
The Autism App claims to be relevant for people with Down's Syndrome, MS and Traumatic Brain Injury - just to lump people together and maximise profits.
This is cashing in on impairment at it's worse.
