For a long time, tech culture has focused too narrowly on technical skills; this has resulted in a tech community that too often puts companies and code over people. Greater Than Code is a podcast that invites the voices of people who are not heard from enough in tech: women, people of color, trans and/or queer folks, to talk about the human side of software development and technology. Greater Than Code is providing a vital platform for these conversations, and developing new ideas of what it means to be a technologist beyond just the code. Featuring an ongoing panel of racially and gender diverse tech panelists, the majority of podcast guests so far have been women in tech! We’ve covered topics including imposter syndrome, mental illness, sexuality, unconscious bias and social justice. We also have a major focus on skill sets that tech too often devalues, like team-building, hiring, community organizing, mentorship and empathy. Each episode also includes a transcript. We have an active Slack community that members can join by pledging as little as $1 per month via Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/greaterthancode)
Episode 009: Living with Disability with Travis B. Hartwell
00:16 – Welcome to “Software Eats Human…” …we mean, “Greater Than Code!”
01:25 – Travis’ Superhero Origin Story
09:00 – Explaining a Disability and Limitations to Others
The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino
14:25 – Supporting Someone with a Disability
19:56 – “Are you noticing your disabilities misrepresenting you in some ways?” – James Edward Gray II / Accessibility
re: Accessibility “We need to have diverse people working for us so we can bring up, ‘Hey! This thing is an issue!’” @travisbhartwell
— Greater Than Code (@greaterthancode) November 30, 2016
Do they all look like me? Do they all think like me? If they do, you’re probably not getting the perspective that you need @travisbhartwell
— Greater Than Code (@greaterthancode) November 30, 2016
30:29 – “I have a Buddhist friend with Marfan syndrome who has told me that the knowledge he could die at any time has been tremendously beneficial to his practice, and I sometimes wonder if I wouldn’t be a shallow asshole if I didn’t have my own stuff I’m dealing with. On that note, I’d be curious if you have any thoughts on how your disability and health challenges have positively impacted your life?” – Ryder Timberlake
32:10 – Coping Mechanisms and Defining Yourself By Your Work (Question from Craig Buchek)
34:20 – “What’s a non-programming hobby you’re into?” – Ben Hamill
36:10 – “What’s one thing you wish unknown strangers you encounter in public knew about you?” – James Edward Gray II
Stella Young: I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much
Reflections:
Astrid: Being cognizant if there’s a way to make your own code and applications more accessible to others.
Coraline: Thinking about The Spoon Theory and how it’s been appropriated by the activist community.
Mandy: Have empathy for both yourself and others, find your community, and disability is different for everyone.
Travis: Gaining empathy for other people to help other people gain empathy for other people.
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Special Guest: Travis B. Hartwell.