Living with a disability presents unique challenges in navigating daily life. However, the rapid advancements in technology are opening doors to a new era of possibilities, offering creative solutions and fostering greater independence for people with disabilities. From smart home devices catering to physical limitations to AI-powered communication tools bridging communication gaps, technology is proving to be a powerful bridge, dismantling barricades and unlocking a world of opportunity for the disabled community.
According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability, a number projected to rise with aging populations and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. These disabilities can encompass various aspects of life, impacting mobility, communication, education, employment, and social inclusion.
The dawn of assistive technologies has enormously transformed the lives of persons with disabilities. These technologies have become game-changers by enriching their capabilities each passing day. The latest innovations in this domain have been groundbreaking and are worth exploring.
Smart gloves
Sign language is the primary mode of communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, many people are not proficient in sign language, making it difficult for those with speech and hearing impairments to partake in activities that could improve their lives.
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In a bid to tackle this challenge, two enterprising students from Washington University named Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor have developed an innovative invention called “Sign Aloud.” This inventive creation takes the form of smart gloves, equipped with sensors, microcontrollers and AI algorithms, designed to decipher the complex hand and finger movements inherent in sign language. The gloves then seamlessly translate these movements into spoken or written language.
With this technology, people who use sign language can communicate more easily with others who don’t understand it, and they can enjoy a better quality of life by accessing services and activities that were previously challenging.
Bionic limbs
Reports have shed light on a shocking statistic: over 1 million limb amputations occur worldwide annually, equating to one every 30 seconds. However, in a remarkable blend of technology and human capability, bionic limbs have emerged as revolutionary aids for individuals who have lost a limb due to various circumstances.
These electromechanicals cleverly replicate the complex functionality of a natural limb by utilizing a sophisticated array of sensors, microprocessors, motors, and reliable battery sources. By integrating with the human body, these advanced devices empower individuals and provide them with a renewed sense of independence, mobility, and functionality, especially to those who have endured the challenge of limb loss caused by trauma, illness, or congenital conditions.
Atlanta X
The Atlanta x is another lifeline invention: It’s a self-stabilizing exoskeleton designed to revolutionize physical therapy, rehabilitation and exercise for individuals with lower-limb disabilities like spinal cord injuries, strokes, or multiple sclerosis. This innovative exoskeleton leverages its unique self-balancing feature to enable safe and effective multitasking, allowing users to perform lower limb, posture, balance, and upper limb reinforcement exercises in an upright position. Atlanta x empowers individuals with disabilities to regain strength, improve mobility, and participate in physical activities that were previously challenging.
Accessibility
Despite the constant advancements in assistive technologies, the majority of people living with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to basic assistive devices, let alone advanced ones. In Ghana, 8 percent of the population constitutes people with disabilities, but most of them can be seen on the streets with faulty wheelchairs, crutches, or wooden walking sticks. This situation reflects the lack of awareness, education, advocacy, and policy support for the needs and rights of people with disabilities in the region.
Technology can improve the quality of life and well-being of people with disabilities and empower them to participate fully and equally in society, but it alone is not enough.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), there is a growing demand for assistive technologies, as the global population ages and the prevalence of disabilities increases. It estimates by 2030, more than two billion people will need assistive technologies, which will create a huge market for innovation and investment.
However, it also warns that there are still significant gaps and challenges in the development, availability, and affordability of these technologies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of people with disabilities live. Therefore, it calls for more collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to ensure that these technologies are accessible, inclusive and beneficial for all.
