Technology Builds Independence for People with Disabilities

posted on Sep 01 by Lauren in the Disability News, Technology category

The innovations in assistive technology within the past five years have made created a spring board for the technologies of tomorrow (and with the fast pace changes of today it really could be tomorrow!). The assistive technologies we have today are opening more doors than ever for people with disabilities, spreading from the bustling city to the quiet rural areas of America.

The National Council on Independent Living is dedicated making people with disabilities achieve fully independent lives. Their vision is one that looks to be within arms reach, with advancements in smartphones such as apps that make it possible for the legally blind to fully participate in the community. The new apps give the blind community the opportunity to apply for jobs, make phone calls, and check e-mail without assistance.

The possibilities of the future are truly endless. Advocates from across the country are encouraging companies to bring wireless broadband to rural America. This is important for people with disabilities, because the online world makes connecting with the world outside easier than ever. Its also a matter of the increase in the population of people with disabilities, raising to 50 million, and the number will only grow in the coming years.

These advancements to come are crucial, because people with disabilities have so much to give to their communities. They have a priceless experience of life beyond the understanding of people without disabilities. Thus, making the technology innovations for people with disabilities a reality all of America society will benefit from the full participation of our growing population of people with disabilities.

Source:

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/173541-life-changing-technology-for-consumers-with-disabilities