Updated 26 May, 2012, 4:18 pm IST

Assistive Technologies to get Momentum for the Disabled

05 Jan, 2009, 12:31 pm IST | by tech2 News Staff |

Large technology providers such as Microsoft and Amazon are working independently to bring in new assistive technologies for disabled and handicapped consumers. This is a new and growing field that a number of technology companies can explore, as it’s a growing market.

Assistive technologies are common in the workplace, but when disabled people look forward to have some fun, they have limited options. Although disability protections are focused upon work space such as specialized computers, mouse alternatives, and assistive technology software, companies are now looking to increase the options for the disabled community.

It has been reported that over one in five Americans has a disability, representing a $200 billion market of consumers eager to spend on technologies that will improve their lives.

A handful of technology providers have taken the lead in putting more pleasure into pastimes for people with disabilities. Some companies, such as Microsoft Relevant Products/Services, already have a foothold in workplace assistive technologies, and they're now expanding into new scenarios. Others came to the assistive technology market by accident -- having realized their products were life-changers for the disabled at play. Either way, they've all had a hand in opening the market for technologies that are making life more playful and productive for people with disabilities.

The travel industry is at the forefront of providing accessible technologies, partly because airports and airlines are public spaces and must comply with many existing ADA rules. Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports are exceptionally innovative. In September 2007, O'Hare began offering public videophones that let deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers place calls in sign language with the help of a 24-hour, free video relay service. At the push of a button, a human sign-language interpreter comes up on the screen to help the customer place the call and communicate their message. These multilingual, touch screen videophones also provide tourist and transportation information and read airport announcements.

Apple has been making a serious footprint with accessibility, including improvements in September to the latest version of its popular iPod music player and the iTunes 8 music library. The fourth-generation iPod Nano now has speech capability that can be enabled via iTunes on a Mac or PC during the sync process that creates spoken names for everything on the iPod. The font sizes can also be enlarged from the settings menu. Apple also plans to install technology in iTunes by June 2009 that will make the entire library accessible, guided by a voice that calls out whatever a mouse pointer slides over, including file commands and music and movie titles.

Microsoft opened its Inclusive Innovation Showroom in October to demonstrate how various assistive technologies can work as a system. One popular technology is "Save as DAISY," a free plug-in for Microsoft Word that allows text to be converted into voice and searched with vocal commands using the digital accessible information system format, or DAISY. This is the standard audio file for the blind and is considered superior to MP3 because DAISY uses metadata to find chapter headings, bookmarks, and page numbers. The best use for "Save as DAISY" is for blind students seeking audio versions of class lessons, or avid readers seeking a talking version of a book.
�Readers with dexterity issues may appreciate the electronic page turner on Kindle, Amazon's wireless book reader, which costs around $350. However, there's currently no DAISY support to aid people who are blind. Under the new ADA amendment, the disabled can expect more accessible options if Kindle becomes the de facto e-reader for students and professionals.

Larger technology providers may already have an edge -- and an audience -- for bringing new assistive technologies to disabled consumers. Yet the field is wide open for companies seeking a lucrative new niche in a growing market that would undoubtedly welcome more fun and games.