Space can unlock new opportunities for people with disabilities on Earth, says Canadian scientist | Technology News
“Space is a disabling environment,” says Dr Farhan M Asrar, a Canadian physician and researcher of South Asian origin. When we think of space exploration, we normally perceive regular humans or able-bodied people in space suits pirouetting in the void that is our universe. Dr Asrar has been working towards changing this perception. His research throws light on how space exploration can empower persons with disabilities on Earth. This in itself is challenging the long-held belief that space exploration is only meant for able-bodied people, and is opening new doors of inclusivity.
“Unfortunately, there’s this preconception we call ableism, where people subconsciously assume that space exploration is tough, the environment is intense, and that only able-bodied individuals can handle it,” Dr Asrar told indianexpress.com. This mindset, he notes, goes beyond space exploration and affects various aspects of our society, including healthcare and employment.
Dr Asrar, who holds faculty appointments at the prestigious University of Toronto, McMaster University and the International Space University, is pioneering this research, essentially an intersection of space medicine and public health. His work gives a unique perspective on how the challenges of space exploration can be a boon and lead to innovations that can benefit people with disabilities on Earth.
His interest in this field comes from his passion for equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). During our conversation, he emphasised the importance of fostering diversity not only in terms of disability, but also among individuals from visible minorities and equity-deserving groups. “We’re trying to encourage more people to enter STEM fields, education, academia, and areas like space,” said Dr Asrar, who has collaborated with a Nasa expert and an expert from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Shifting paradigms
Dr Asrar cited the ESA’s Parastronaut programme as a significant milestone in this direction. “This was unheard of, and it was a big step forward. Dr John McFall, a highly accomplished British paralympic sprinter and surgeon, was selected as the first parastronaut,” said Dr Asrar, highlighting this ground-breaking mission.
The ESA’s Parastronaut programme created waves when it was announced as it is the first big movement towards making space exploration inclusive. It not only opens up possibilities for differently-abled astronauts, but also holds significant potential for the healthcare system on our home planet. McFall was selected by ESA to become the first ‘astronaut’. McFall, who suffered an amputation of his right leg following a motorcycle accident at the age of 19, has been a staunch advocate of inclusivity.
According to Dr Asrar, the ESA’s programme inviting individuals with disabilities to apply to become astronauts, marks a significant shift in the space sector’s approach to inclusion. “It just shows that individuals, even with disability, there’s nothing that you cannot achieve,” he said. This initiative is not just about sending people with disabilities to space; it’s about changing perceptions and inspiring a new generation. “It’s really kind of removing, really, the barriers where people who kind of had that ableism, that pre-notion that, ‘Oh, someone with a disability is not able to do this,’” Dr Asrar noted.
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Space as a catalyst for change
During the conversation, Dr Asrar asserted that this new shift is extending far beyond space, and holds significant potential to transform healthcare and other industries back on Earth. He pointed out that space technology has already contributed significantly to healthcare innovations on Earth. Some of the common medical devices such as infrared thermometers and portable ultrasound machines, have their origins in space technology.
Dr Asrar with Canadian astronaut Col Jeremy Hansen (left), who will board the Artemis 2 flight that will circle the Moon in 2025. (Express Image)
Dr Asrar firmly believes that the development of specialised equipment for parastronauts will lead to new lightweight and durable prosthetics, and accessibility aids for people with disabilities on Earth. The research done in space on parastronauts would likely yield valuable insights for healthcare professionals treating patients with disabilities on Earth. “By all means, there is a wealth of information that we will be gaining, which, as a physician, I can share with my patients to help them better enhance their nutritional requirements and improve their daily physical activities,” Dr Asrar explained.
Dr Asrar’s work reveals the following ways space exploration can benefit people with disabilities on Earth.
Challenging perceptions
In recent years, space exploration has been pushing the envelope when it comes to challenging some of the preconceived notions about disabilities. “To go from that extreme to now having a specific program inviting individuals with disabilities to become astronauts is a huge leap,” Dr Asrar notes. This shift in perspective can help combat discrimination and ableism in various fields.
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Technological innovations
Over the years, space exploration has been seen as a provenance of new technologies. “Space has always been known for developing portable, accessible, lightweight, innovative devices,” he said. According to the researcher, these innovations often find applications on Earth, benefiting people with disabilities. He said that, for instance, materials and designs developed for space could be used to create lighter, more durable, and accessible aids for people with disabilities.
Adaptive equipment
Dr Asrar noted that ESA’s parastronaut program has been exploring how to modify space equipment to suit individuals with disabilities. “They are looking into how space suits, the ISS, sleeping bags, and training manuals need to be adapted for someone with a disability,” he said, adding that these adaptations could lead to improvements in accessibility equipment on Earth.
More insights on health and fitness
Dr Asrar explained that space research provides some valuable insights on how to maintain one’s health in the most challenging environments. The Canadian physician suggested that the health and fitness routines developed for astronauts could be adapted for individuals with disabilities on Earth, potentially improving the health and performance of para-athletes and others.
Space: A disabling environment
On being asked why his paper termed space as a ‘disabling environment’, Dr Asrar explained, “when we talk about space as a disabling environment, we mean that even the healthiest astronauts are affected by space conditions.” According to him, the microgravity, radiation, intense isolation, and limited nutrition options in space can be incredibly challenging for anyone. He added that this perspective offers a unique way to understand disabilities.
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“In space, where you’re floating and not walking, the lack of legs might not be a disadvantage—it might even level the playing field,” he said, adding that this concept challenges the notion that people with disabilities are less capable in all environments and emphasises on a context-dependent nature of disabilities.
When asked what advice he would give to policymakers and academic institutions in India to advocate space inclusivity, Dr Asrar enumerated the achievements of individuals with disabilities. He went on to cite popular figures like Terry Fox, Helen Keller, or Stephen Hawking, emphasising that individuals with disabilities can achieve far more than people might expect.
He said that it was important to give them equal opportunities and encourage their interests. Dr Asrar said that fostering inclusivity isn’t about making life harder for everyone else. “It’s about making simple adjustments that can significantly improve accessibility and inclusivity.”
Dr Asrar’s three advices for Indian youth with disabilities:
Pursue your dreams and follow your passion.
Don’t be afraid to challenge stereotypes and break barriers.
Seek resources, technologies and community/networks.
