How Technology Is Changing Disabled People's Lives

Technology is constantly on the rise, and society is taking full advantage of that fact to make our lives simpler, and more often than not, more fulfilled and independent – especially for disabled people. With hundreds of start-up businesses using the technology available to us to create innovative new gadgets and more well-established businesses even offering the more widespread availability of Motability vehicles amongst plenty of other helpful gadgets, technology is definitely offering far more independence and freedom to those who otherwise had none.

Gaze-reading technology

One of the biggest ways that technology has helped to increase the world of communication for disabled people is by using technology that picks up on and reads the movements of a person’s eyes. While this technology has been around for a while, the improvement in recognition software has only improved over time. For individuals with paralysis, stroke victims and those with cerebral palsy, this kind of technology can give them back the ability to communicate. The use of eye movements can type out words or select phrases that a speaker will then repeat, or there are often even options for a drop down list of answers, or pictures and scenes for children.

Voice Control

Voice control technology is in constant development, but has already reached heights that most couldn’t imagine a decade or so ago. It’s available on smartphones, TVs, Wearable technology and with the introduction of smart speakers, it’s even easier to control your technology with your voice. In the way of smartphones, voice control systems allow users to dictate messages, and even navigate their whole phone simply with a few words. Phones also have the ability to turn text on webpages or messages into intelligible speech for the user to listen to.

Sensory Enhancers

Sensory Enhancers refers to technology that help to enhance elements of the world around them that the user otherwise might struggle with. Hearing aids, voice analysers, augmentative communication tools and speech synthesizers are all examples of this technology, but the technology is still constantly developing and growing. With glasses that can enhance colours and light in development, there may come a time where a disability doesn’t have to be a ‘disability’ at all.

Prosthetics

The world of prosthetics had grown at astonishing levels, and rightfully so. With companies all over the world developing more realistic prosthetics for a range of different activities, life doesn’t have to reach a standstill at amputation. For years, wood was the most dominant material for prosthesis, but this has since changed to different, more comfortable materials, though most commonly carbon fiber. With thermoplastic sockets and titanium replacing the other metals, prosthetics have a longer life, and a more comfortable fit and use than ever. Myoelectric technology is another advancement to watch. This technology reads electric signals generated by the muscles in the users remaining limb, which then controls a processor on the prosthetic. It allows for greater control and precision, giving them the opportunity to perform everyday tasks, even down to picking up coins and opening cans.

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Created on Sep 4th 2017 09:56. Viewed 822 times.

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