The Future of Accessible Technology: Emerging Trends and Innovations
The above picture shows a computer keyboard with a hand pointing to a key that says Assistive Technology.
The Future of Accessible Technology: Emerging Trends and Innovations
Did you know businesses hiring people with disabilities often see higher profits and increased productivity? About 19% of people with disabilities were employed, but you could be missing out on a huge pool of talented workers.
The only problem is that not all workplaces are accessible to disabled individuals. Accessible technology allows every employee to put in their maximum effort in a comfortable setting. Constant innovations are being made in the tech field to accomplish that goal and improve overall workflow.
Here's why assistive technology is important and some new trends to follow.
Why Inclusive Design Matters
Inclusive design in the workplace is important for many reasons.
First of all, accessibility allows your business to expand its workforce and hire talent you would otherwise miss out on. If an employee can't do their work efficiently at your business, then they'll find work elsewhere. At worst, they may find themselves unemployed despite their expertise and experience.
Second, innovative technology can help everyone in your workplace. Something like AI-based image recognition can help transcribe images into text that can be sent out en masse via text message or email.
Finally, your workplace must remain ADA compliant with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities everywhere, from work to schools.
Facilities and services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Failure to make necessary changes can result in fines and potential legal trouble.
As a bonus, your events should prioritize accessibility so everyone can enjoy the occasion. Choose accessible party venues, give inclusive gifts, and offer floating holidays so everyone can schedule time off.
New Trends in Accessible Technology
Tech brands make it their business to create new technology that improves the user experience. Some go above and beyond to create products that cater to those with disabilities and can even benefit the workplace.
New York City recently tested braille and tactile signage in combination with interactive station maps to assist visually impaired passengers. Amazon introduced a "Show and Tell" feature that allows their Echo devices to identify held items.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
One of the key innovations leading some of these accessible technologies is artificial intelligence in combination with machine learning. Both of these technologies have the potential to greatly enhance accessibility in a variety of ways.
For one, artificial intelligence is capable of automating processes to improve efficiency. You can input commands and see them brought to fruition.
Furthermore, recent AI software has the capability to understand speech better, transcribe images into text, and even recognize objects in real space. This is especially important for anyone who needs accessibility options such as speech-to-text or improved image recognition.
These technologies are only expected to advance more in the upcoming years as they're given more focus and funding.
Wearable Tech
Wearable tech can take a lot of different forms for users and accomplish a wide range of goals.
One of the most popular forms of wearable tech these days is the VR headset. Virtual reality allows anyone to experience a space as if they were actually there.
When it comes to the workplace, VR can allow employees to attend events that they otherwise couldn't attend. There are also examples of it being used to perform tasks from across the world, such as with remote medical procedures.
In contrast, augmented reality technologies provide additional information overlayed onto the real world using either wearable tech or smartphones. These could assist individuals with visual impairments to better navigate the world around them.
More Personalization
People come with all kinds of different capabilities and mindsets. Not everyone is made the same, so accessibility software and technology need to take that into account.
One of the most exciting trends in recent years has been a shift towards personalization as a priority. More assistive tech is being made to suit individual preferences and needs. That means customizable interfaces and more user-centric designs.
Android has long taken this into account with its apps and widgets. You can find third-party applications that allow users to change their layout and add specific gestures to open different apps.
Inclusive Cloud Intranets and Remote Work
A big innovation that benefits all workers is cloud intranet solutions. A cloud-based intranet provides an easy way to access on-premises software. In other words, you can access your business computers and information from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
This is a great boon for disabled workers who may struggle to make it into the office every day or are unable to otherwise. It also allows them to create their own custom setup at home, whereas it may be more difficult to make space for one in an office setting.
On top of that, remote work allows employees to customize their work schedules. If a person struggles to get up in the morning due to chronic pain, they can always clock in later and work into the night. It's also easier to work around medical appointments with remote access.
Increased Computing Power
You can't have improved software and technology without increased computing power. It's almost a requirement for new technology to bring a combination of more power and better battery life to the table. This affects accessibility in a couple of ways.
First, artificial intelligence and machine learning work faster and more efficiently with increased computing power. Furthermore, internet access becomes quicker with the implementation of 5G and future 6G technologies.
Employment That Cares
Accessible technology doesn't just make work much easier for a business's employees. It also shows that they care about both the comfort of their workers and that they respect them. Anything less may imply that you aren't worth their time or attention.
disABLEDperson.com is the place to go if you're looking for a position that fits your talents and capabilities. Go directly to jobs and begin searching or sign up to get more assistance. Check out our listings online to see what's out there, and contact us for more information.