Around 15% of the world’s population go through their lives with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organization. Thankfully, technology has advanced to a point where it can have a positive impact on day-to-day existence.
For persons with disabilities, these come in the form of assistive technology. So what are some prime examples of these brand new innovations?
Here disability refers to vision impairment, deaf, mental health condition, intelluctual disability and so on and that’s the reason, company follow crowd testing process for their product or service.
7 Gadgets that Empower Persons with Disabilities
Eye-Gaze Controlled Computers
For persons with severe disabilities that hinder their movement and communication, they’ll be happy to know of Eye-Gaze controlled computers. The technology is relatively straightforward in the sense that it allows computer usage by tracking eye movement and ‘click’ things in lieu of a mouse.
A study of 171 participants with disabilities in Sweden found that 96% of them were able to utilize computers far more often through Eye-Gaze technology.
Through these computers, they were able to communicate their thoughts with ease. It also helped with enabling education, employment, and leisure options for disabled persons.
Liftware Promoting Independence And Confidence
Cerebral palsy is a collective of disorders that affect a multitude of areas like movement, balance, learning, and other things. As one’s balance is affected, it makes otherwise simple exercises like eating a challenging task.
To answer this, Liftware was developed to provide stability and leveling for those with mobility issues. Tremors are one of the symptoms of cerebral palsy and Liftware lessens shaking by 70%.
This assistive technology improves meal times and promotes independence and confidence, according to Chad Hanson, an ambassador of the Reeve Foundation. Both independence and confidence are important to persons with cerebral palsy as it helps them develop their sense of agency, according to experts at cpfamilynetwork.org.
Chromebooks Providing Audiovisual Assistance
For visually impaired students, learning can be particularly challenging. Google Chromebooks have stepped up to help by developing ChromeVox.
This is a built-in screen reader that helps by reading content out loud. The Chromebooks themselves have existing visual helpers like screen magnifiers and are compatible with Braille Bluetooth keyboards for students that need to use them.
This technology ensures that visually challenged students are fully included in lessons and later on, employment options will no longer be as limited.
Apple’s Hearing Aid Mode
Apple AirPods have stepped up their accessibility offerings with their Live Listen feature. It was introduced to the public via the iOS12 update and it pretty much turns regular AirPods into hearing aids.
Through the feature, sounds are better amplified to better aid those with hearing disabilities. Apple does warn, however, that for those with severe hearing needs it is still best to seek licensed hearing aids.
This does not stop them from wanting to continue their accessibility advocacy and they have partnered up with other accessibility companies to develop their Made for iPhone hearing aids so that users may fully utilize their devices should they make calls and watch content.
Smart Pens Promoting Better Learning
A Smart Pen is a device that resembles a regular ballpoint pen but is actually a recording device. A study of students with varied disabilities using Livescribe pens found that there was a significant improvement in the quality of their notes, their grades, and their enjoyment of their learning courses.
The study conducted in Maynooth University also found that through the use of a Smart Pen, 89% of the students were able to progress to the subsequent year with ease. It is also to be noted that the students reported a significant increase in their confidence in their academic environment.
Dot’s Practical Braille Smartwatch
Braille is still a highly relevant path to literacy for the visually impaired. The trouble was that Braille was mostly confined to paper, and in the world of digital devices, there was some concern about how it would translate. Dot answered by developing the world’s first Braille smartwatch. Dot enables the visually impaired to access messages, texts, tweets, and even books whenever they please. It is compatible with various smartphones and connects via Bluetooth which widens the accessibility for those that need it.
Microsoft’s Accessible Gaming Tool
Around one out of every five video gamers have some form of physical disability, according to PopCap Games. This means that millions of gamers may not be able to fully reap the many benefits of gaming due to the lack of accessibility. Microsoft responded with their Xbox Adaptive Controller. It is designed to work well with a vast array of accessibility-focused devices to enable persons with disabilities to unleash their inner gamer.
Final Lines
It is fascinating to think that technology is an active tool in promoting a better quality of life for disabled persons. As is the very nature of technology, there will always be something new just beyond the horizon to further improve the lives of those that use them.
So it is truly an exciting time for persons with disabilities and their families, as they can eagerly await new innovations and take advantage of them accordingly.
