I'm feeling discombobulated. Tech, tourists and speed limits

Some really are trying , I've seen firms with whole departments set up to look after their vulnerable customers, while others just give in and cater for the majority.

Trade off between being inclusive and it costing them a lot, therefore risking their position in a market,  Versus being willing to turn away a minority in order to have a simpler operating model and be more profitable.

It is and is going to be a bigger problem as time goes on, people being excluded and isolated through no real fault of their own.

I have noticed that... society is more openly recognising autism and other conditions these days, but once it has it does little to adjust for them! 

I don't have any helper's worker's or carer's, asking to speak to one of these seems to be the default setting for NT's when ASD's don't know how to do something or ask an awkward question.

Autisician said:

The government needs to create legislation that forces these things to exist

I understand that getting these things made available is highly desirable for us, but is it really worth the effort for the companies?

For commercial companies they have shareholders to report to and spending a lot of a tiny percentage of (probably unprofitable) customers is not good business. In the end it will be cheaper to pay fines than have to provide the sorts of services that are being asked for.

Government and public sector companies are typically so cash starved that they simply cannot afford to do it.

In reality I believe that those who will not use apps (not cannot use - the thread here is more that they will not adopt because they lack knowledge, confidence or the tolerance to discomfort to do so) are probably going to be so disadvantaged through their choices that they will be forced into it or remain outside the system.

For those who really cannot use them, getting someone who can help use them is their most practical way forward. A carer or helper is the logical choice.

It is not a nice outlook but I think this is where we are headed. Adapt of fall by the wayside. Expecting companies to go out of their way to help us is not likely to work.

In his case, he had to state several times that he wasn't able to use the online version. However, I don't know how obvious his conditions were to the other people at the time.

I think for so many people it's just a normal part of life that they use this tech, and they don't question that other people can't or wont.

Whether it's about choice or circumstance,  we shouldn't have to justify ourselves.

These are cases where it's 100 percent needed to provide an alternative to tech (or alternative tech) , there's other cases I think don't get as much acceptance as they're not as visible.

Being autistic I know we'll always be doubted on some things, we can appear physically able , so some people will always think we're being awkward and should just "get on with it" at times we struggle. These are the harder cases to make people understand and cater for, but maybe not impossible.

I for one hide my autism to a lot of people,  maybe I shouldn't do, but it's how I've lived for decades and since diagnosis I've not told many people, so I guess people perhaps don't know just how many people there are out there struggling in silence.

This is the trouble. My grandmother was like that and it led to her becoming severely depressed. I was one of the few in my family who put down the phone to talk to her, everyone else interacted with their phones. Sad.

I think we're all agreeing that this is a big problem. Some of us are tech savvy and others not, nobody should be disadvantaged and there should be more provision.

Most firms these days, especially big institutions like banks, shop chains, NHS, insurance etc. find that compared to its other self service channels , providing face to face, branches, phone service is very expensive and the more people turn to smart phones and online services the less people they're catering for , so the "cost per customer" goes up and up. they're desperate for people to go online so they can cut these costs and compete with the "online only" shops and banks that don't have these overheads that will turn people away now if they're not willing or able to go online. They are genuinely putting firms that provide traditional service out of business, so in some cases it's not as much greed as it is survival. I know many firms that are actively trying to ensure accessibility for all.

There will always be people who can't for whatever legitimate reason though, these people need to be catered for, especially as they form some of the more vulnerable groups in society.  The government needs to create legislation that forces these things to exist (if they don't already) , it's already mandatory to provide lifts , specially fitted toilets and ramps for those not able bodied, this is no difference in my opinion.

I met a very partially sighted man last year. He was massively disadvantaged in life because of the advance of tech for everything. He could hardly see. It isn't just concessions which are needed for people who don't or wont understand it. He wasn't physically able to use a smartphone. 

Like I say it is a choice.

You admit to feeling forced to use a smartfone in order to park your car.

Let's drill down here a bit and see how exactly you are being prevented from pariing your car, and more importantly how teh problem can be overcoem without the use of a smartfone.

1. is there an actual space? - yes.

2. Can you physically get yoru car into ito it? - We'll assume yes. 

3. Are you prepared to pay for your use of that space? - Of course, you are a decent citizen going about your daily business, in harmony with your society. (I assume I have that right, and you aren't as hacked off with the endless stupidity and poor quality leadeship and service deliver we now endure, that you almost don;t care any more)

YOU are perfectly entitled to use the space, You just need to pay for it. (there is usually instructions on how to do that on the meter, BUT we will assume there are none). 

 YOU look and find, Oh Noes! I've lost my phone? What do you do? Drive off? Leave the space put there for you to use (at a fee)?  Probably yes, admittedly, most people will.

But legally providing you discharge you obligation to pay the correct amount in a timely manner in the Kings Money you are doing nothing wrong. THE PARKING PEOPLE are actually pushng their luck (theretically leaglly) by making the machines NOT accept money or at least debit cards...

As I started to write the simple thing that you can do instead of paying for a smartfone and installing an app that you don't really want or need, I remembered that I spent many years parking in city centres for my job, in places YOU wouldn't dare, I've shadowed my partner though a law degree, and I'm irritatingly intelligent in some ways, so what works for me probably only works because it's me. 

But it might be worth phoning the council, explaining that "you cannot use a smartfone sucessfully" (I have multiple reasons myself, only a few which I've expressed here, they'll shut me up beofre Ive finsiohed listing them)) and request an alternatve method of payment. 

They have to provide one..

99% of the country are not post-op transeexuals.

That minority has equal rights to a parking space under the law to the other 99%.

99% of people have a smatphone, but 1% (like selectively technophic little me) choose not to.

Do we not have eqaul rights to use a parking space?

The authority needs to make a reasonable adjustment. And they know it, even if you don't.

BUT it's "convenient" to pay that way.

It will be even more convenient when you can pay for EVERYTHING using your smartphone, won't it? The banks have sdecided to launch CDBC's (digital money) as soon as they can get their ducks in a row, and like the smartphome it'll be optional at first...

Very soon just like China we will have a social credit system and that will be linked to the digital money so that if they need to fine, tax, or, deduct any "fees" it'll be automatic. If you say the worng thing on a website and your social credit dips your fees will go up...  

IF you think juggling a few credit cards, standing orders and a mortage is hard on you now, just wait and see where they take you next..

Cash is simple.

Some of us already have started occasionally paying or receiving precious metals as a cash alternative. (In 2002 I paid for a painttjob with silver coins, recently I bought some land using gold coins, And I've taken casual work payment in silver wire...) 

Tine for a relevant piece of music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_IFHYzk0rY

With the lyrics, so it will make more sense. 

Sometimes tolerance, let alone acceptance, is an inapropriate response to a circumstance.

I would't have all '...my life tools..' on it, just enough to be able to function in 21stC society, I feel I have enough barriers as it is, not being able to park my car or get meds without some appbased device will cause me as many melt downs as having one. Round here there are lots of elderly people who will never have used a computer let alone a smart phone, many who do have them, dont' know how to use them, they've been given them by well meaning family, but the infrastructure is poor and there are many places where theres little or no signal.

Maybe for some it would be a good idea to have a group, but not for me, if I was having a problem with a phone then I probably wouldn't be able to get on the group to ask a question, let alone understand the answer. I also really really resent that tech solutions are being pushed on ASD people, it's another NT misunderstanding about ASD people, we're not all tech genius's.

Really, as last time I was in Manchester I could use the ticket machine and simply buy a day ticket, no phone required. Even London has machines where you can buy an Oyster card, again  no phone required thankfully. I always find it best to check with the organization and explain you do not use a phone. Most will offer an alternative. 

Then I am out of touch and am happy to be so.

The world is mad.

out_of_step said:

What if you had simply run out of battery?

You get an external battery pack for this sort of thing, They are typically the same size as a smartphone or smaller. Or charge it in the car, or from a mains socket,

It isn't really a significant concern in the real wold.

I just tell people I don't have a smartphone. They usually have back up alternatives. If they haven then I don't want to be a customer. What if you had simply run out of battery? I'm younger than you but I'm getting more resistant to all the tech mumbo jumbo. I know it'd probably make my life easier but something within me resists.  I think it's a slippery slope. 

I grew up as smartphones came into existence so it's kind of the norm for me using one, though having said that I do find them overcomplicated for a lot of things, but I also find them incredibly useful and easier for my anxiety. When getting fuel I can pay using my phone, no need to go in to the garage and face another human being whoop whoop! :p 

I do find they are required for a lot though and it's annoying at times, especially if you're uncomfortable using technology.

I really feel for you. I hate built up areas, the noise, the crowds, it's a lot all at once and it's a recipe for anxiety and meltdowns for me. I try to avoid said places, if possible. I'm lucky to live in the countryside. Wildlife is the only neighbours I have and that suits me perfectly.

When I did live in a well populated and busy place as a kid with my family I used to pick my times to go out, i.e. when it was quietest and I was least likely to encounter people and noise. This tended to be early and late points of the day.

Iain said:

It is far better for you (as a group) to percevere and learn how to use the apps, get a very cheap smart phone and learn the bits related to your needs and avoid being left in the position of being left behind with no access to what you need.

Thinking about this - we could setup some kind of self help forum on here to help people get to understand the basics of their smart phones and essential apps. Do you think there will be much call for it?

I Sperg said:

If you enjoy the vulnerabilty of having all your life tools on a single, easy to lose, easy to damage, piece of equipment, you go for it!

That is a bit harsh.

Smart phones are pretty easy to back up so they are simple to reinstate if you ever replace it and insurance is quite affordable if you are not careful with your phone so a replacement is normally not much hassle to arrange.

I get the point that we shouldn't HAVE to do it, but when 99.9% of the population are already doing this then the 0.1% will largely get ignored as they have little value to the sellers of phones / apps / services.

Autisician said:

I don't think enough allowance is made for people who might struggle to adopt or even not be able to adopt technology solutions.

From my experience in the private and public sectors of providing customer service, if you are on this very small minority then you are likely to be a big overhead for them and if they can possibly get away with it they will ignore you or push you to another supplier.

You cost them a lot in maintaining and staffing legacy systems and the hassle of dealing with you costs them precious hours of paid time and you are unlikely to buy anything of consequence so you are just bad business.

For public services like GPs then it is a case of they have limited resources to spread across those who need it, and if your needs take a sizeable chunk of their capacity then you are likely to get sidelined or ignored as any fines for doing so probably outweigh the costs.

It sucks for those who are in this position but this is why they don't want you.

It is far better for you (as a group) to percevere and learn how to use the apps, get a very cheap smart phone and learn the bits related to your needs and avoid being left in the position of being left behind with no access to what you need.

I totally understand, it's not for everyone and I don't think enough allowance is made for people who might struggle to adopt or even not be able to adopt technology solutions. Be it either technically not possible (signal, cost and all these things) or just too much stress and risk (older people can be easier targets for scams on tech platforms that they're not confident with for example)

Sometimes I find things I fear are actually a benefit if I do go through the pain of adopting them, which is why I'd say "have a go before dismissing ",  but there needs to be alternatives fo those who can't for some perfectly good reason.

I nearly had a melt down last night just thinking about what will happen when our GP's go over to the app based system for ordering repeat prescriptions that the health trust are pushing for. One surgery has already completely gone over to it, they will not accept paper or people requesting them at the surgery. I think many other people will have meltdowns too and not just those of us with ASD, but the elderly who don't use phones, all those people who have no signal, or if they do have a phone and can get a signal, it says 'ping, welcome to Ireland'.

I don't do groups and I don't go out to eat and drink because of allergies and noise sensitivity.

Sorry just writing this is making me antsy.