UC Access NowDec 21

Blue Origin launches 1st wheelchair user to space and back (video)

You know what would be better than stunt accessibility? REAL accessibility right here on Earth. Bezos has enough money to make every single thing he owns and has influence over accessible by default, but that doesn't happen.

Instead of going for "inspiration porn" PR like this, ask questions! It's another reason we need more disabled journalists.

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/watch-blue-origin-launch-1st-wheelchair-user-to-space-on-dec-18 #Space #Accessibility #Ableism #InspirationPorn

Watch Blue Origin launch 1st wheelchair user to space on Dec. 18

Michi Benthaus and her five crewmates are scheduled to lift off on Thursday (Dec. 18) at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Space
Show threadUC Access Now

Benthaus seems to have had some realizations since becoming disabled in 2018, but there's a pattern that should be pointed out:

Many of the "famous" disabled people in STEM were already through grad school or in industry as abled people before they became disabled.

This is because of the many barriers and systemic ableism of higher ed and STEM academia. It is much harder to start out disabled and make it through the harrowing.

If you want more disabled people in space science, make universities & training places ACCESSIBLE.

The UC Access Now Demandifesto (2020) gave many examples of systemic ableism within the University of California system, just to go with one public research university...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/paraplegic-engineer-becomes-first-wheelchair-user-float-space-rcna250214 #Space #Accessibility #Ableism #InspirationPorn

Paraplegic engineer becomes first wheelchair user to float in space

A paraplegic engineer from Germany blasted off on a dream-come-true rocket ride with five other passengers Saturday, leaving her wheelchair behind to float in space while beholding Earth from on high

NBC News
Dec 21 at 9:24pmWeb