There are countless stories and inspirations about how cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, communication, and gaming can create a powerful connection between disability and convenience. One of the blessings that technology has offered is empowering us with the ability to do more. This is why people with disabilities are reliant on technology so much these days. Those of us have to overcome more challenges at work and in daily life. So, they should gain more from newly developed tools and technologies designed to help them.
Innovations in technology have improved the quality of lives of normal people, netizens, and specially-abled people. Those obstructed with disabilities can now enjoy a better life than ever before. There are eye-tracking systems for cerebral palsy that translate eye signs to verbal communication. Driveless cars are a hit among physically-challenged people. There are wheelchairs with AI, robotic arms with customized control, captioning technology for people with a hearing disorder, a tiny hearing device that is barely noticeable, an electrical stimulation system for spinal cord disorder, an AI helmet for blinds, robotic crutches for ease of walking and so much more!
With the development of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and medical science, new hopes have taken birth for differently-abled people.
Challenges in implementing the ICT
There are many challenges in implementing technology for the disabled population. However, sincere efforts are being made to make an information-rich society that can accommodate this particular section of people just like normal people.
There are significant opportunities but also potential barriers like:
- Less involvement in personalized care while design thinking
- Persons with chronic disorders have to face challenges in acquiring and using the devices themselves
- Difficulty in understanding the device manual due to lack of technical know-how
- The traditional model of advertisement for medical equipment is not going to work for netizens
- Lack of awareness about how to adapt rehabilitative technology with everyday needs of a disabled person
The barriers are interlinked and common for different health disabilities. Assistive technology would be more accessible with greater awareness and technical support.
How to adapt rehabilitative technology?
Rehabilitative technology and assistive technology provide new opportunities for PwDs. Today, disabled users can take part in all aspects of social happenings with the technologies. To make them accessible, the marketers must position those products on the right platforms, so that target buyers get to know about them. Rehabilitative technology manufacturers must also seek healthcare BPO services in case their technology is complicated for end-users. The key objectives of innovation and developments in medical science are to help people in need. Not many tech-savvy people keep track of new technology for disabled people. So, outsourcing healthcare technology support will serve the purpose of improving the lives of specially-abled persons.
Wrapping up
Broadly categorized disabilities like Cognitive disorder, impaired hearing, paralysis, blindness, and mental conditions can significantly improve using rehabilitative and assistive technology. The assistive devices are configured to help each person with their unique disability. At present, a considerable amount of investments are made in healthcare technology and Information and Communication Technology. But, most of them are not accessible to intended users. The lack of awareness and slow customer communication are to be blamed. In the future, we hope an amalgam of healthcare technology customer service and improvement in product research and design will help more specially-abled people lead a normal life.
Author Bio :
Alicia Johnson is an outreach consultant for Healthcare solutions. With expertise in corporate communications, she has spent the past 4 years working as a healthcare consultant and she loves to share her experience with readers.
