The life-changing power of assistive technologies | Jane Velkovski

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4.1 • 11.9K Ratings

🗓️ 31 December 2021

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

"This chair is my legs -- this chair is my life," says accessibility champion Jane Velkovski, who uses a wheelchair after being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). With clarity and poise, he shares how his first motorized wheelchair empowered him with independence and ability -- and why assistive technology should be available to anyone who needs it. "Freedom of movement, no matter on legs or on wheels, is a human right," he says.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's TED Talks Daily. I'm Elise Hugh, and I'm thrilled to share a talk today from a 13-year-old, who is more poised than I ever was at that age.
0:13.0	In a talk from TED at UNICEF in 2021, accessibility champion Yane Velkovsky credits his home environment and inclusive school system for
0:22.2	helping him get around and succeed despite his spinal condition. But there's something else that
0:27.8	was crucial for children with disabilities like him. In today's talk, he makes the case for that
0:33.0	key component to his early independence and success.
0:44.1	The wheel was invented a long time ago, but we're way behind.
0:47.8	Hi, my name is Yanvel Kovsky.
0:53.8	I'm 13 years old, a student in a public school, and a passionate football fan. In addition to that, I'm a kid with a public school and a passionate football fan.
0:58.3	In addition to that, I'm a kid with a disability.
1:03.8	My condition is known as SMA, spinal muscular atrophy,
1:08.9	where the muscles are getting weak, but the brain remains strong.
1:11.3	I love football.
1:13.3	I'm a passionate football fan,
1:16.9	and my passion has brought me so much joy and so many great experiences so far,
1:20.7	more than I could have ever imagined.
1:23.9	For example, I was offered to join a brilliant campaign by the UEFA,
1:29.8	that is the Union of European Football Associations,
1:33.7	to raise awareness about equality and access issues,
1:38.2	which meant, among other things,
1:40.7	I got the honor of public recognition,
1:45.8	a public space, and I got an opportunity to meet several famous players who are my heroes.
1:52.7	I have also had the opportunity to speak at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York
	...

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