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Right now, unique challenges present some limitations, like an inability to physically access certain places in public and participate in parts of the digital world.
But progress is being made with the help of technology. New tools continue to emerge that facilitate technology’s positive impact on accessibility.
Assistive Technologies
According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, “Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.”
Examples of common assistive technologies include:
- Communication boards
- Memory aids and reminder systems
- Braille displays and large print materials
- Talking devices like doorbells with intercoms
- Artificial intelligence (AI) technology, like caption and audio description generators
- Voice recognition software with which individuals can use their voices to type instead of a keyboard
- Augmented reality (AR) apps that allow users to access places they otherwise couldn’t in the real world
People are living with a variety of vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive disabilities that require additional assistance to navigate successfully. Assistive technologies like the above provide this extra support, creating a bridge from where individuals are, to where they want to be.
Wearable Tech
It used to be that people had to go to the doctor to get a read on their heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, figure out their sleep patterns, or analyze physical ailments. This was especially true for individuals living with disabilities because of the specialized care they often need.
In-person care is still a necessity, however, the rise of wearable tech has given many people with disabilities more independence and control over their health journeys. Wearables have also made healthcare more accessible.
For example, biosensors are devices that monitor various biological and physiological elements, such as heart rate, blood sugar, gait, seizures and tremors, and biological fluids. Biosensors collect data in a central system and, if set up to do so, send this information to the person’s doctor. This allows for quick intervention should something go wrong.
Fitness trackers, smart watches, ECG monitors, and blood pressure monitors are other wearable tech devices that can improve the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities.
Tools Improving Safety and Navigation
Many people live with disabilities that make the outside world dangerous. For example, being hearing-impaired in a busy city without the proper support tools may lead to accidents. Or, being out at night may be risky for those who are visually impaired.
It may be a dangerous world out there, but that shouldn’t mean individuals with disabilities have to stay inside because of it. Thankfully, there’s been progress toward making city environments more accessible with smart technologies.
For example, smart street lights are improving safety and navigation in cities. These intelligent lighting systems are triggered by motion sensors. Whenever someone walks within a certain distance of the smart street light, it will come on and illuminate a significant area.
This makes the streets safer for individuals living with disabilities to travel at night. Video surveillance throughout cities also makes the streets safer for individuals living with disabilities.
Although there are teams behind these surveillance systems, AI capabilities enhance their efforts to make communities safer. AI can monitor surveillance systems 24/7, with the ability to process video footage in real-time, detect suspicious activity, and signal for help.
As individuals with varying disabilities ensure their personal spaces are safe for them, we must also ensure external environments are just as secure.
Remote Work Technology
2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that only 19.4% of persons living with a disability were employed. The barriers that they face in the work world are evident, whether it be bias in the application process, an inability to get to a physical workplace, or a lack of support in the office.
Fortunately, remote work technology has opened employment doors for many people living with disabilities. For example, video conferencing makes virtual interviews possible for disabled candidates who can’t travel. And project management software allows disabled employees to collaborate with their teams and work on tasks from home.
Technology helps individuals living with disabilities advance their careers despite their unique challenges.
Everyone should be thankful for the intersection of technology and accessibility. It’s creating a more inclusive world for individuals living with various disabilities, improving their quality of life, and advancing the movement for an accessible world for everyone.
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