
Assistive technology refers to devices or systems that aid individuals with disabilities in performing tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
It ranges from low-tech solutions like magnifying glasses for reading to high-tech tools like voice recognition software.
With the current progress in generative AI technologies from companies like OpenAI, assistive technologies are rapidly advancing, with new disruptive technologies hitting the market weekly.
Assistive technology plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity, as it ensures everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can partake in various life areas.
Assistive Technology Examples
1. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are designed to help improve the hearing of people with hearing loss or other hearing-related difficulties. These compact devices amplify sound waves to make them audible for people with hearing loss.
The technology involved processes the environmental sounds and compensates for impaired hearing. Therefore, hearing aids prove instrumental in helping individuals with hearing impairments engage in regular communication and live richer lives.
Case Study: The Invention of Cochlear implants
Cochlear implants, invented by Graeme Clark, an Australian otolaryngologist, are advanced assistive technologies that transform lives. These devices convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are then sent to the auditory nerve, offering the ability to perceive sound to those with profound hearing loss. Since their establishment in the 1970s, cochlear implants have empowered more than 300,000 individuals worldwide to communicate and interact more effectively. Today, these implants are making significant contributions towards alleviating the impacts of profound hearing loss on people’s lives.
2. Screen Readers
Screen readers are software applications that convert text into speech. They provide a crucial interface to computers for individuals who are visually impaired or blind, enabling them to access digital content.
The screen reader scans the text on the screen and then speaks it out loud, thereby assisting the user in understanding the content. This assists the visually impaired in navigating and interacting with digital devices and platforms.
3. Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs, in both manual and electronic forms, are fundamental assistive devices for individuals with mobility disabilities.
They are designed to facilitate movement for those who find walking impossible or strenuous due to disability or health conditions.
Wheelchairs vary widely, designed to suit a range of users’ needs, body types, and lifestyle requirements. They exist to promote the independence, confidence, and well-being of those with mobility challenges, thereby positively transforming their quality of life.
Case Study: The Invention of Self-Propelling Wheelchairs
The first self-propelling chair on wheels was invented by an watchmaker named Stephan Farffler in Germany around 1655. Farffler built a three-wheeled chair that he could propel without assistance. The evolution of the wheelchair from its primitive form to the sophisticated, lightweight, and customizable models of today has greatly enhanced mobility and independence for persons with disabilities. With wheelchairs, individuals who have mobility impairments can lead more active, fulfilling lives – such immense mobility aids help them engage in daily activities, work, and leisure that would have otherwise been challenging.
4. Speech-to-Text Software
Speech-to-text software converts spoken words into written text. It benefits individuals with learning disabilities, dyslexia, or physical impairments that make typing difficult.
The software interprets the spoken language by recognizing spoken patterns, which it then transcribes into text. This innovative technology helps deliver an efficient, hands-free method of writing and communicating.
5. White Cane
A white cane is a fundamental livelihood tool for the visually impaired. It empowers users to navigate their environment independently by detecting obstacles in their path.
The white color effectively signals to others that the person is visually impaired, enhancing their safety by promoting awareness among nearby people or vehicles.
Through the simple yet efficient technology of the white cane, visually impaired individuals can traverse their surroundings with enhanced confidence and freedom.
See Also: A List of Amazing Technological Innovations
6. Prosthetic Limbs
Prosthetic limbs replace a missing arm, leg, or other body part. They aid individuals in regaining mobility and functionality after the loss of a natural limb, often due to disease or injury.
Modern advancements in prosthetics have resulted in limbs that not only replicate human appearance but mobility as well, some even responding to muscle movements. These revolutionizing developments have equipped amputees with unprecedented abilities to pursue a wide range of physical activities.
Case Study: Futuristic Prosthetic Limbs
Companies like Open Bionics are making significant strides in the world of prosthetic limbs. They’ve developed advanced, 3D-printed bionic limbs known as “Hero Arms” that can offer realistic hand movement. The prosthetics, equipped with multiple grip patterns and sensor-driven controls, offer functionality that mimics a naturally occurring limb, including the ability to point and pinch. Users have hailed this innovation as transformative, empowering them to gain newfound independence and unimpeded participation in daily activities.
7. Eyegaze Edge
Eyegaze Edge is a wearable technology controlled by eye movement. It allows individuals with severe physical disabilities, such as locked-in syndrome or ALS, to communicate effectively and perform tasks on a computer.
The system works by tracking eye movement, allowing users to select letters or icons on a screen by merely looking at them merely looking at them.
This technology effectively transforms the person’s eye into a mouse cursor, empowering users to work with computer applications, surf the web, or even write and send emails. Eyegaze Edge brings about transformative change by affording a renewed level of independence and communication possibilities to individuals with severe physical restrictions.
8. Braille E-Books
Braille e-books are electronic versions of print books transcribed into Braille for people with visual impairments. They work by presenting Braille characters electronically on a refreshable Braille display, allowing users to “read” through touch.
With an extensive library of books available worldwide in digital Braille, visually impaired individuals can enjoy a wide range of literary works. Therefore, Braille e-books not only promote the literary interest of the visually impaired but also facilitate their access to, and interaction with, valuable information and education.
See Also: A List of Communication Technologies
9. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices (AAC)
AAC devices help people with speech or language issues communicate. These devices can range from simple picture boards to sophisticated computer programs that generate speech.
Users interact with these devices by selecting letters or images representing specific words or phrases, which the device then translates into audible speech. This technological aid significantly enhances their communication capability, aiding them in more effectively expressing their thoughts, needs, and desires.
10. Smart Home Devices
Smart home devices like voice-activated lights, thermostats, and door locks provide valuable assistance to individuals with mobility and physical disabilities.
Users can control these devices using voice commands or smartphone apps, eliminating the need for physical interaction with the device. Consequently, these devices contribute significantly towards enabling individuals with physical disabilities to lead an independent, comfortable, and safe life within their homes.
Additional Assistive Technologies
- Reading glasses
- Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA)
- Braille displays
- Screen magnification software (e.g., ZoomText)
- Speech recognition software (e.g., Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
- Closed captioning systems
- Hearing aids
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices
- Tactile graphics
- Video relay services (VRS)
- Text-to-speech software (e.g., Kurzweil 3000)
- Eye-tracking systems
- Switch access devices
- Sip-and-puff systems
- Voice output communication aids (VOCA)
- Refreshable Braille readers
- Assistive listening devices (e.g., FM systems)
- Teletypewriter (TTY) devices
- Large print keyboards
- Adaptive mice (e.g., trackball, joystick)
- Environmental control units (ECU)
- Wheelchair ramp controls
- Voice-activated home assistants (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Home)
- Wearable mobility devices (e.g., exoskeletons)
- Smart glasses for visual impairment (e.g., OrCam MyEye)
Assistive Technologies in the Classroom
Educational environments greatly benefit from the integration of assistive technology.
Assistive technologies can promote inclusivity in classrooms by helping students overcome barriers to learning. They can ensure that learning materials are accessible in a format that meets students’ needs in student-centered classrooms.
Furthermore, they can boost students’ confidence. As children with diverse needs become more engaged in classroom activities, they’re likely to participate more and feel more confident about their contributions.
Common classroom examples of assistive technologies include:
- Text-to-speech software: This can help students with dyslexia or reading difficulties to understand written texts. TTS software reads aloud digital document texts, thus aiding students in comprehending the content without struggling through the reading process.
- Interactive whiteboards: The 21st Century version of the blackboard, IWBs are also an integral part of assistive technology in classrooms. Students with different learning styles can interact with lessons in a way that suits their needs best, whether through visuals, audio, or tactile elements, rather than simply looking at some white chalk on a black board!
By utilizing such technologies, educational institutions create an inclusive learning environment that caters to students’ unique needs, leading to improved academic outcomes and enhanced self-esteem among students with disabilities. This helps us to fully realize the vision of a differentiated classroom with full participation and equal opportunities for all.
Conclusion
Assistive technologies bring indisputable benefits to our society. They contribute significantly to the empowerment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities by offering them unprecedented independence and opportunities. Through improved functionality, these tools foster a more inclusive society and enhance the overall quality of life for users. Given their multifaceted benefits, assistive technologies are undeniably integral in making the world a more accessible and equitable place for everyone.
Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]
Excellent work, this information is very relevant to people with disabilities, especially in my country. I would like information because I am doing a postgraduate course in educational informatics and I am very interested in the cases of students with disabilities. Thank you.