Abstract
Humanitarian crises, including natural disasters and war, put basic human welfare in danger for larger groups of people. People with disabilities experience heightened vulnerability in these contexts and are among the most disproportionately affected in any disaster or conflict situation. In the discussion of humanitarian preparedness and response over the past decade, there has been increased focus on the use of innovative technology to promote effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid. To date, the use of innovative technologies with people with disabilities in times of humanitarian crisis has received limited attention. The present study explored the perceptions and experiences of humanitarian workers regarding the use of innovative technology for disability-focused projects in a humanitarian crisis. The study included their perceptions of facilitators or barriers associated with the use of innovative technologies in these projects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six individuals who had worked with a humanitarian organization on a disability-focused project (three male and three female). The participants discussed different understandings of what constituted an innovative technology in this context (cutting-edge digital technologies versus manufactured products), as well as considerations surrounding its implementation: accessibility (cost, social inclusion of people with disabilities), acceptability (aesthetics and usability), and contextual implications (political and geographical context, security of the technology, the COVID-19 pandemic). These findings can inform humanitarian organizations when choosing to implement innovative technology in disability-focused humanitarian projects, promoting relevance and receptivity among local communities.
