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why_at a day ago

I think their anger is justified. Yes there's not a lot that individual engineers can do to help, but a big part of the problem is that they don't even understand the people they're "helping".

These tech gadgets are the annoying experience we've all had of someone taking a look at a problem from the outside and proposing unhelpful "solutions" that won't work because they don't fully understand it.

It reminds me of conversations I've had with people who suffer from insomnia. They say that everyone has some suggestion to just try melatonin, or not use screens before bed, or whatever. As though they haven't tried these things.

Yes they're just trying to be helpful, but it comes off as patronizing.

mhurron a day ago | parent | next [-]

> Yes they're just trying to be helpful

Experience says they're not, they're being dismissive.

They don't understand because they don't care to and it's beneath them to learn, because the solution is to 'just' do this simple thing everyone knows to do. It now becomes the sufferers fault they continue to suffer and it's not longer required for anyone else to care.

serf a day ago | parent | prev [-]

'Help me but don't patronize' is a tall order without some real linguistic gymnastics.

clcaev a day ago | parent [-]

> 'Help me but don't patronize' is a tall order without some real linguistic gymnastics.

Not at all. Just don't start by guessing what a disabled person's concerns are, or presume that an unsolicited suggestion is helpful. A respectful start is letting them know you will be responsive and let them lead the conversation.

keybrd-intrrpt a day ago | parent [-]

And you are presuming they _aren't_ talking with disabled people.

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-adap...

Received high praise if I recall correctly.

Sure, we've all known engineers and product managers that don't consult the target audience, but don't assume that of everyone.