The Need For Speed

Lately, I’ve been feeling the need for speed.

No, I’m not talking about the need to re-watch the 1994 action film starring Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock.

Rather, I have been feeling the need for speed in the field of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

It doesn’t take extraordinary powers of observation to see that technology is growing at an exponential rate. Technologies that would have astounded us just a few short years ago are now commonplace. Many, many of these technologies have enabled organizations of all kinds to become more nimble and able to react to changing business environments, sometimes at a pace that can be dizzying. More to the point, many of these technologies have the potential to improve the way organizations deliver services to the individuals served by Imagine! and like organizations across the country.

And yet, many of us in this field seem to be slow to adopt these technologies, and slow to adapt to the changing environments. Even here at Imagine!, where we pride ourselves at being a nationwide leader in using technology to improve the lives of the individuals we serve, sometimes it appears as if we get stuck in a holding pattern while the rest of the world moves forward.

Often our field gets mired in bureaucratic swamplands which trap us even if we want to move forward. The hierarchical structures that dominate our many rule making and regulatory agencies are moving at a pace that does not allow us to react to change or to use new technologies to continue to improve on our ability to keep up with said change.

I believe this does a great disservice to those we serve. We need to be able to recognize and act upon technological changes that open the door for more efficient, effective, and person-centered service delivery. We need to be able to pivot and change direction on short notice when opportunity arises. And we need to be able to do so without being encumbered by top heavy hierarchies resistant to change.

If we do that, maybe then I will have more time to sit down and watch Speed again.

Then again, what do I know?