Unleashing the potential of tech and devices to include one and all

The disabled and the elderly face unique challenges in our society, especially when it comes to accessing education, employment opportunities, and daily activities. AT has the potential to empower these individuals with the tools they need to overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

In the 1980s, the term "Assistive technology (AT)" was coined in the United States by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). The term was introduced as a way to describe technology that could be used to support individuals with disabilities and help them overcome barriers to communication, mobility, learning, and daily living.

The introduction of the term "assistive technology" marked a shift in the way that technology was being used to support individuals with disabilities. Prior to the introduction of this term, technology was often seen as a tool for rehabilitation, rather than a means of enabling individuals with disabilities to live more independently and achieve their full potential.

The term "assistive technology" has since become widely used around the world and has helped to raise awareness about the role that technology can play in supporting individuals with disabilities. Today, assistive technology encompasses a wide range of products and services that support individuals with disabilities and help them to overcome barriers to communication, mobility, learning, and daily living.

Assistive Technology Vs Adaptive Technology

Assistive technology and adaptive technology are related concepts but have distinct differences.

Assistive technology refers to any device, software, or system that is designed to support individuals with disabilities and improve their functional capabilities. Examples of assistive technology include wheelchairs, speech recognition software, and adapted keyboards.

Adaptive technology, on the other hand, refers to technology that has been modified or customized to meet the specific needs of an individual with a disability. Adaptive technology often involves taking an existing device or system and modifying it to meet the unique requirements of an individual with a disability. For example, an adaptive mouse might be modified to accommodate the needs of an individual with limited dexterity.

In simple words, products and devices developed to help individuals with disabilities refers to Assistive Technology. While Adaptive Technology refers to the modification of existing technology to meet the specific needs of an individual with a disability.

Both types of technology play an important role in helping individuals with disabilities to live more independently and achieve their full potential.

Current developments in assistive technology

The development of assistive technology has been a major breakthrough in recent years. Technology is revolutionizing the way many people with disabilities interact with their environments. AT helps individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, and other impairments to access technologies more easily and effectively.

Assistive tech tools range from simple voice recognition software to complex robotic prosthetics. The current developments in assistive technology are going to change lives for the better. Different types of devices are available today, ready to shape our future society.

Here are some current developments in assistive technology:

    Voice-activated virtual assistants

Natural Language Processing and speech recognition advancements have made virtual assistants more accurate and useful. These software applications are enabling users to control various devices and access information by speech commands. Some of the most popular examples of voice-activated virtual assistants include Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Microsoft Cortana.

One can use voice-activated virtual assistants for a variety of tasks, including controlling smart home devices, setting reminders, making phone calls, playing music, and accessing information about news, weather, and more.

As you know, these virtual assistants come integrated into smart speakers, mobiles and PCs and can be used hands-free for added convenience. These are making life easier and more convenient for people, especially with disabilities, elderly individuals, and others who may have difficulty using traditional computing devices.

    Wearable devices

Smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, and hearing aids are increasingly incorporating assistive technology features. These devices include sensors and other technologies that can measure, and track data related to the wearer's activity and health, such as heart rate, steps taken, and calories burned.

Wearable devices can detect falls, help set up reminders, and with many other accessibility features. Individuals with disabilities and the elderly can manage their health in better manner using these wearable devices.

    Augmented reality

AR (Augmented Reality) technology is being used to enhance the accessibility of physical spaces and provide visual aids for individuals with visual impairments by overlaying digital information on the physical environment. The tech development in VR space helps visually impaired individuals to navigate and perform other everyday tasks easily and conveniently. For instance, using AR navigation systems, one can get spoken or visual directions. This can help individuals with visual impairments to navigate more safely and independently.

    Artificial Intelligence-powered assistive devices

AI is being used to create devices that can understand and respond to a user's unique needs. AI-powered assistive devices can be useful in a variety of ways for individuals with disabilities and elderly individuals.

AI-powered devices can be programmed to monitor the environment and alert caretakers or family members if there is a potential safety concern, such as a fall or a change in activity level. These devices can help individuals with disabilities and elderly individuals to live more independently by providing them with the tools and information they need to manage their daily lives.

    Eye-tracking technology

Eye-tracking technology can be helpful for individuals with physical disabilities in several ways:

• Accessibility: Eye-tracking technology can be used to control devices, such as computers and smartphones, without the need for physical inputs like a mouse or keyboard. This can make it easier for individuals with physical disabilities to use technology and access information.
• Communication: Eye-tracking technology can be used as an alternative means of communication for individuals with physical disabilities that limit their ability to speak or use their hands. For example, eye-tracking technology can be used to select letters, words, or phrases to build sentences and convey messages.
• Assistive technology: Eye-tracking technology can be used to control assistive technology, such as wheelchairs and prosthetics, allowing individuals with physical disabilities to move more freely and independently.
• Education and employment: Eye-tracking technology can help individuals with physical disabilities to participate more fully in education and employment opportunities. For example, individuals with physical disabilities can use eye-tracking technology to take notes, complete assignments, and participate in online meetings.

    Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces

BCIs (Brain-Computer Interfaces) use electrodes placed on the scalp to detect brain activity and translate it into commands that control devices. This allows individuals with disabilities to interact with technology without the need for physical movements. The electrodes detect patterns of electrical activity associated with specific thoughts, which are then interpreted by algorithms and used to control devices such as computers, prosthetic limbs, and communication devices.

This technology has the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities by allowing them to perform tasks and interact with the world in new ways.

These developments and others are helping to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and making it easier for them to live independently and participate in daily activities.