Innovations in technology have improved the lives of everyday Americans as well as the disabled. Those saddled with disabilities now enjoy a higher quality of life than ever before. Let's take a look at some of the technological advances that have drastically improved the lives of the disabled.
The DynaVox EyeMax System
DynaVox EyeMax combined with Vmax+ helps stroke victims and those who suffer from paralysis or cerebral palsy engage in verbal communication with their eyes. This technology is built with an eye tracking system that allows users to interact with a screen-based keyboard to enter words that are then translated into verbal communication.
Google's
Driverless Car
Google's driverless car can be legally driven
in Nevada. It will likely be available to residents throughout the
country in the near future. The driverless car is perfect for
disabled individuals who have physical
or mental ailments that prevent them from operating a motor
vehicle. It operates on a combination of artificial intelligence and
Google Street View. The self-driving car has not been blamed for any
accidents. Rather, the vehicle has only been involved in accidents
caused by negligent human drivers.
The Kapten PLUS
Navigation Device
Those who suffer from a visual impairment
find that traveling alone is quite difficult. The Kapten PLUS
Navigation tool functions as a diminutive GPS locator that a disabled
person can carry at all times. They simply walk down the street and
the Kapten device verbalizes the direction/location so they know exactly where they are and where they're heading.
The iBot
Wheelchair
This amazing invention allows disabled people
to climb stairs in a wheelchair. Thanks to the iBot Wheelchair, it is
no longer necessary for them to ask their friends or family
to carry them up the stairs. This remarkable creation really is the
ATV of wheelchairs.
DEKA Robotic Arm
The man behind the
segway, Dean Kamen, created a prosthetic arm for injured
individuals. It operates with incredible precision, allowing soldiers
and other disabled individuals to accomplish feats that involve
extensive use of the fingers such as peeling fruits. The DEKA Robotic
Arm comes with customizable controls as well as modular components
that allow users to enjoy customized enhancements, regardless of
whether they need a full shoulder socket or an arm.
Closed
Captioning Service
A
captioning service will allow individuals with disabilities to
have equal access to resources. It is used by television stations,
universities and institutions across the world. The technology places
vocalized words on a screen so those with hearing challenges can
understand exactly what is being communicated.
Cochlear
Implants
This tiny device functions as more than a mere
hearing aid. It absorbs sound through a microphone, transmits the
signal to a small computer behind the ear and transfers the
information to a digital signal that reaches the implant. Modern day
cochlear implants provide over twenty sound channels, helping the
disabled hear with incredibly high quality.
Nuance
Nuance
empowers disabled individuals to dictate messages that are typed on
their computers or phones. It also converts phone text to
intelligible speech. It's quite the helpful technology for those who
suffer from learning disabilities like dyslexia as they can express
their ideas without trudging through frustrating written
assignments.
Purple Communications' Video Phone
Purple
Communications has developed a video
phone that empowers the deaf or those who suffer from auditory
impairments to engage in communication over the phone. The phone
functions with a video relay service used on high definition TVs.
There's a live sign language interpreter who works in a remote
location, transmitting messages in real-time.
Apple's
AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch is available for the iPad
and the iPhone. This technology allows those who suffer from motor
control problems to use touchscreens in a specialized manner. Rather
than pinching the screen to zoom in and adjust settings, the
AssistiveTouch provides an on-screen guide that empowers users to
perform such functions by merely tapping.
Technology
is making the world a much more tolerant place for the disabled. As
we progress into the future, the trans-humanism movement will
continue to grow.
