The Future of Education: Technology in Learning Environments
Tech for Accessibility:
Examining how technology is improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including assistive devices and inclusive design
Technology has the power to transform lives, especially for people with disabilities who face various barriers and challenges in their daily activities. By using technology, people with disabilities can access information, communicate, learn, work, and participate in society more easily and independently. In this article, we will examine how technology is improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities, focusing on two main aspects: assistive devices and inclusive design.
Assistive devices
Assistive devices are products or systems that help people with disabilities perform tasks that they would otherwise have difficulty or be unable to do. Assistive devices can range from simple tools, such as magnifiers or hearing aids, to complex systems, such as speech recognition software or robotic arms. Assistive devices can enhance the functional abilities of people with disabilities, such as vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, or communication.
According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people globally need one or more assistive devices, but only one in ten have access to them1. This is due to various factors, such as high costs, lack of availability, awareness, or training, and social stigma. To address these gaps, there is a need for more innovation, investment, and collaboration in the development and distribution of assistive devices, as well as policies and standards that ensure their quality, affordability, and accessibility.
Some examples of assistive devices that are making a difference for people with disabilities are:
Smart glasses: These are wearable devices that use cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to provide visual information to people with low vision or blindness. For instance, the OrCam MyEye device can read text, recognize faces, identify objects, and describe scenes to the user through a speaker or earphone2.
Smart speakers: These are voice-controlled devices that can perform various tasks, such as playing music, setting reminders, or searching the web, by using natural language processing and cloud computing. For people with disabilities, smart speakers can offer convenience, independence, and empowerment. For example, the Amazon Echo device can be used to control smart home appliances, such as lights, thermostats, or locks, by using voice commands3.
Smart prosthetics:
These are artificial limbs that can mimic the natural movements and sensations of the human body, by using sensors, motors, and machine learning. For people with amputations, smart prosthetics can improve their mobility, functionality, and quality of life. For example, the DEKA Arm System is a prosthetic arm that can perform multiple movements, such as grasping, pointing, or pinching, by using wireless signals from sensors attached to the user’s muscles4.
Inclusive design
Inclusive design is a design approach that aims to create products, services, or environments that are accessible, usable, and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their abilities, preferences, or circumstances. Inclusive design recognizes and embraces the diversity of human needs and experiences, and seeks to eliminate or minimize the barriers and disadvantages that people may encounter. Inclusive design can benefit not only people with disabilities, but also other groups, such as older people, children, or people from different cultures.
According to the Inclusive Design Research Centre, there are three key principles of inclusive design5:
Recognize diversity and uniqueness: Designers should acknowledge and respect the diversity of users and their needs, and avoid making assumptions or generalizations about them.
Involve users in the design process:
Designers should engage with users and involve them in the co-creation of solutions, ensuring that their voices and perspectives are heard and valued.
Offer choice and flexibility:
Designers should provide multiple options and alternatives for users to access and interact with products, services, or environments, allowing them to customize and adapt them to their preferences and situations.
Some examples of inclusive design that are improving accessibility for people with disabilities are:
Inclusive fonts:
These are fonts that are designed to be more readable and legible for people with dyslexia, a learning disability that affects reading and writing skills. For instance, the Dyslexie font uses features such as heavier bottom lines, larger openings, and different shapes to reduce the confusion and distortion of letters6.
Inclusive games:
These are games that are designed to be more accessible and enjoyable for people with different abilities and preferences, by using features such as subtitles, colorblind modes, difficulty settings, or adaptive controllers. For example, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is a customizable device that allows gamers with limited mobility to play games by using buttons, switches, joysticks, or other inputs that suit their needs7.
Inclusive websites:
These are websites that are designed to be more accessible and user-friendly for people with various disabilities, by using features such as alt text, captions, keyboard navigation, or contrast options. For example, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of standards and best practices that provide guidance on how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities8.
Conclusion
Technology is a powerful tool that can improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, by providing them with assistive devices that enhance their functional abilities, and by applying inclusive design principles that create products, services, or environments that are accessible, usable, and enjoyable for everyone. By using technology for accessibility, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone can participate and contribute to their full potential.