10 Innovations Making Technology Accessible for People with Disabilities
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which falls on May 16th annually, the "Daily Mail" published a list of innovations that have made digital technology more accessible to people with disabilities.
1. Braille Keyboards and Displays
There are approximately 40 million blind people throughout the world, and another 217 million people who are severely visually impaired. All of these individuals have difficulty accessing such advanced technology as computers and mobile phones.
A lot has changed since the development of the first Braille keyboard and subsequent refreshable Braille displays, however. Due to these technologies, blind and visually impaired users can now use advanced technology.
2.Voice Assistants
Speech assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Amazon Echo are able to do a multitude of tasks from purchasing groceries and taxis to calling relatives, sending email, and obtaining information all without movement.
The technology has also transposed into residential control systems including Apple's HomeKit and Google Home where heat and air, lighting, and music are all under control.
3. New Hearing Aids
According to the World Health Organization, nearly one billion people worldwide are likely to suffer from hearing loss by the year 2050.
Large technology companies are collaborating with producers of hearing aids so that mobile phones can operate in conjunction with hearing devices that hearing-impaired individuals wear on a full-time basis.
4. Video Calling
With approximately 2.5 billion clients worldwide, video calling applications have become part of life.
For many years, deaf people were unable to use cell phones to place calls. But with the development of video calling through services like Skype and Apple's FaceTime, deaf people can now place video calls, sign, or lip-read.
5. Instant Text Captioning
Just as it is with transcribing foreign language programs and movies, audio on television shows and movies is translated in real time into text, creating many watching and enjoyment opportunities for individuals who have hearing impairment.
This also finds its application in the work environment. For instance, such software as PowerPoint has real-time captioning and immediate subtitles, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to access presentations.
Google also launched its live caption feature at the 2019 I/O conference, where it captions any video or audio, including YouTube, Instagram, and even personal videos.
6. Assistive Touch
Smartphones like Apple and Android have assistive touch features, which enable people with restricted motor capacity to access products and apps that require precise and repeated gestures like tapping, swiping, pinching, and dragging.
7. Touch-Free Technology
Some are not able to use their voice, or even sign language, to talk with the world. Intel developed a special device, famously used by the late physicist Stephen Hawking, that allowed him to communicate, work, and give lectures despite his ALS diagnosis, a motor neuron disease that causes complete paralysis.
Over time, more products using eye-tracking technology have been invented, and they allow individuals to operate computers and smart phones just by moving their heads or eyes.
8. Assistive Apps
Technology has not only advanced in devices but also in apps to make it inclusive.
Apps like "Be My Eyes" provide a service in which visually impaired or blind individuals can connect with specially trained volunteers who offer vision support through video calls. There are also apps that assist color blind individuals by informing them of the color.
9. Smart Glasses
Although Google's intelligent glasses did not bring the change that was projected in mass markets, their presence is still keenly felt within companies like AIRA, where they implement the concept of intelligent glasses to make people stay in touch both physically and virtually.
AIRA's intelligent glasses, built using Google's early designs, engage blind users with trained personnel that can provide an elaborate description of their surroundings and mobility options to choose from.
Other companies, such as NuEyes, have developed smart glasses that assist people with low vision in activities such as magnifying objects, altering color and contrast, reading printed text, and identifying prices at the market.
10. Entertainment and Games
Navin Kumar, Xbox product marketing manager, reported that 14% of Xbox players are temporarily disabled and 8% have permanent mobility impairment.
To fulfill these needs, Xbox has released a new flexible controller that will be accessible to gamers with disabilities.
Braille joysticks will be made available in the near future, and game software itself is being developed with features and options that cater to the diverse needs of gamers with disabilities so that they are not left out and games are designed to adapt to their needs.
Innovations Making Technology Accessible for People with Disabilities
Technology has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, but more so for people with disabilities. For millions of individuals, advances in access technology have been gates to freedom, communication, and opportunities previously unimaginable. More and more, most businesses and researchers are at the forefront of solutions that encourage inclusivity through technology and empower individuals with disabilities to cross many barriers. Some of the greatest breakthroughs opening up technology for all are mentioned below.
Voice Recognition and Speech Assistive Technologies
Voice recognition programs have proved to be a boon for people who are unable to use a mouse or a keyboard due to physical impairments. Programs such as Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa allow people to direct devices, web search, and even speak freely without hands. For people who suffer from speech impairments, speech-generating devices (SGDs) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools have evolved far. For example, companies are developing AI-driven SGDs that analyze voice tone, context, and intended meaning to generate more naturalistic responses.
Additionally, companies like Google and Microsoft have upgraded voice recognition algorithms to better recognize non-standard speech patterns, making voice interfaces more inclusive for users with different speech abilities.
Screen Readers and Visual Accessibility
For blind and visually impaired users, screen readers play a pivotal role in accessing digital materials. Traditional screen readers are limited, but recent advancements have greatly improved these tools. Apple's VoiceOver, Windows' Narrator, and Android's TalkBack have evolved to provide enhanced navigation and enhanced voice synthesis to enable easier interaction with digital materials.
In addition to screen readers, there are also companies pioneering new ways of digital accessibility. For instance, AI-powered image recognition software can read out images and graphics, giving visually impaired users a richer online experience. Microsoft's Seeing AI app uses machine learning to identify objects, read text, and even recognize people's faces.
Advanced Prosthetics and Wearable Technology
Wearable technology has also created incredible possibilities for people with physical disabilities. Advanced prosthetics, for instance, now feature sensors that are able to identify muscle movement and allow more intuitive control. Companies like Open Bionics are creating 3D-printed, affordable prosthetic limbs that allow users to be independent and accomplish things with less effort.
Exoskeletons are also turning out to be promising assistive technology. The robotic suits have the potential to help individuals with mobility impairment to walk and perform daily activities. While still costly, exoskeleton prices are decreasing as the technology evolves, and they could transform rehabilitation and mobility aid.
Assistive AI and Smart Home Technology
AI has made homes more accessible. Home automation systems like Amazon Echo and Google Home allow users to manage lights, doors, appliances, and thermostats with voice commands, granting mobility-impaired people control over their environment. Devices with AI-facilitated technology are also now being designed with more accessibility features, including automatic door opening, intelligent locks, and even voice-controlled or mobile app-controlled kitchen appliances.
Additionally, cognitive disabilities are being aided by AI-based solutions. There are applications like Brain in Hand that provide prompts, calendars, and instructions to support people with autism and other cognitive disorders to lead independent lives.
Accessible Transportation Innovations
Transportation is still a large issue for the disabled, but new technology is beginning to overcome this challenge. Self-driving cars, for example, have the potential to revolutionize mobility for those who cannot drive due to physical or cognitive disabilities. Groups like Waymo are exploring ways to make autonomous cars accessible to everyone, with options that appeal to different needs.
In addition, companies like Uber and Lyft are expanding the options of services available, such as wheelchair lift cars and rider assistance.
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR & AR)
Both augmented and virtual reality technologies have expanded from entertainment purposes to become effective means of access. VR technology can be utilized to create accessible training spaces in which individuals with cognitive disability can practice social skills and vocational skill acquisition in a secure, protected environment. In mobility-impaired individuals, VR offers the potential for experiencing an environment not otherwise accessible, i.e., being able to visit a new city virtually or walk in nature.
AR, on the other hand, enhances the physical world by casting digital information upon the real world. For instance, translation software that translates written text into spoken text using a phone camera assists visually impaired individuals. The technology is also used in schools to assist children with learning disabilities in interactive and engaging ways.
Accessible Gaming Innovations
Video games are an important form of entertainment and social engagement, and accessibility for games has greatly improved over the last few years. Microsoft's Xbox Adaptive Controller is, for example, dedicatedly crafted hardware for enabling a varied range of physical abilities. Sony too has gone the extra mile in introducing accessibility features within its games and even in its consoles as customized controls as well as audio descriptions for visually impaired customers.
Additionally, game developers now incorporate subtitles, color contrast options, and cognitive support into games to make them accessible to those with visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments.
The technologies described above are just a few examples of the many ways technology is enhancing accessibility. As greater demand for accessibility becomes more prevalent, more companies are prioritizing inclusive design and investing in research to develop technologies that empower individuals with disabilities. While challenges still remain, the future holds a world that is more inclusive with technology bridging gaps, boosting independence, and enriching the lives of people of all abilities.
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