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Tony Stark's House (Assistive Technology Dream)

 For years now I have entered into an annual conversation about the benefits and pitfalls of assistive technology and how it helps me overcome my disability. 

I have used many different types of accessible assistive technology over the years but when the first Iron Man movie came out, I saw my assistive technology dream and not just because I wanted to be a "genius billionaire, play boy, philanthropist" like Tony Stark. 

When I looked at Tony Stark's fictional system JARVIS I saw a path to independence. 

My cerebral palsy means I am very physically limited as to what I can and can't do. So when I saw Tony Stark's house being operated with voice commands I got very excited. 

This level of environmental control is still sadly out of reach for me mostly because of funding barriers and sometimes because the technology does not yet exist. 

To me the best approach towards assistive technology is is a combination of low tech and high tech equipment. For example, I literally have a chop stick to help me press buttons on a remote and then, on the other hand, I have an $18,000 electric wheelchair; both pieces of equipment play an important role in my independence.

It is also important not to get trapped in the disability equipment conveyor belt. While there are some great disability specific technologies out there before you go down that road it is important to look at what is currently available in the wider community, iPhones, iPads, and Dragon Naturally Speaking software for example. 

Assistive technology is never a one size fits all proposition. I have used equipment to get me out of bed, shower me, and access my community but none of my friends with a disability use exactly the same equipment as I do. 

It is also important to note while assistive technology has improved my independence more than I can say it can be scary when good tech goes bad. 

So when you are thinking about how to help someone with a disability use assistive technology, it is important to keep in mind that independence should be the main driver for the use of a piece of technology and Tony Stark's house is an assistive technology dream of the future.



I am not Iron Man


I am a big fan of Iron Man but not for the reasons you think I am.

With Tony Stark's house I could reduce the burden of my disability and become an independent man.

With one voice command I could make a morning coffee for my wife.

Taking control of the actions of my life.


You might think it's weird to get assistance from a robot hand

But it's part of being a man to be able to take a stand.

Why does Tony Stark's house come at such an expensive cost?

When it could give so many back the freedom they have lost.


I am a big fan of Iron Man but not for the reasons you think I am.

With Tony Stark's house I could reduce the burden of my disability and become an independent man.

I am not Iron Man.

I just see what the technology could do for my disability.


Chris Van Ingen ~ 7 March 2023



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