To talk inclusivity in the technologically-driven world of today is to talk accessibility without obstacles to solutions provided, for all and sundry. Much effort is being exerted to make this a reality – from innovative tools that service Persons with Disabilities (PWD) allowing them to forget for more than a moment that they live with a disability to policies that aim at implementing and ensuring a better life for such individuals. The best part of such innovation is that it does not enhance the disability by creating tools to only suit their specific needs, but instead these tools are created the same way they are made for everyone else but with the disabled in mind – the premise, they are human beings first, with a disability and not disabled people. These solutions also help to solve the challenge of dependence as it grants to a good degree of autonomy for individuals in this category to go about their daily activities as anyone else would.
Traditionally, there have been solutions to enable PWD to get by but they spell out – ‘I am disabled’, as they are not in any way subtle to use or disguise. This might not be a source of concern for some but for others, they dread the pity that comes their way especially when they move around in a wheelchair or have to bring out a brail to take notes as all these gadgets are glaring and conspicuous. Some of them want to be seen as normal people and that is okay but it is a challenge to fit into the crowd when the gadget for survival stands out so much.
Innovators in recent times have addressed these issues by providing products that can be used by PWD, assimilated into everyday devices and appliances. In the world we currently live in, a person with a disability no longer has to buy specialized tools instead they can get the everyday product already integrated with solutions that are beneficial to them. Take for example smart-phones, calls can be made by a deaf person through the concept of visualization instead of the traditional auditory-based system and this can be used without having to buy a special phone as technically all smart-phones are enabled with apps or have apps available for download to provide such services – not forgetting that this system is also beneficial for and used by people without disabilities – talk about fitting in good. Another one of such development is the incorporated speech to text that can be used by the blind to interface with a smart-phone. The other day on WhatsappTM, a blind-woman was responding to messages seamlessly like a person who had sight, on a group chat in text-format, she flowed so well with the conversation that someone who had not caught on to the fact that it is possible for blind people to ‘text’, challenged the woman out of curiosity – he just could not fathom it. The woman kindly educated him and explained that it was possible through her smart-phone. These are mobile phone-based inclusive innovations. Virtual assistants both for devices and home appliances are also useful tools for some categories of individuals with physical disabilities – ask Siri TM or Alexa TM.
For transportation-based innovations, a company called Kenguru TM developed an electric-powered car that can be driven by those who are dependent on a wheelchair for movement. The typical wheelchair on its own despite providing some solutions still embodies several limitations for independence under some circumstances. Those on wheelchairs still need some level of assistance in getting from point A to B. With this electrical motor, however, the wheelchair user can boast of 100% independence in terms of having to use transportation as this electrical car is made to enable such individual drive while still in a wheelchair. The car’s original model has no doors on both sides but has a ramp where a typical boot should be – this is how they get into the car. The PWD just rolls into the car with the aid of the ramp and drives to whatever destination – absolutely without the help of anyone and what is better, this solution is affordable when compared with the average price of our vehicle products. In the nearest future with the aid of self-driving cars, things are bound to get much better not just for PWD but for everyone.
Several other innovative solutions bring normalcy and ease to the lives of individuals who otherwise wake up to a life filled with more unique challenges than the next person and it is all thanks to technology.
