As society strides towards a future of inclusiveness and equality in all aspects of society, more people are being encouraged to try things that they never have before. For most people in the disability community, one of those things is getting a job. One of the reasons this has been an issue in the past and still today, is that some disabilities do not allow people to perform simple tasks like reading text, typing on a keyboard, or even opening doors. However, we are living in a time where issues like these can be resolved with the help of reasonable accommodation and assistive technology!
Assistive technology can be a piece of equipment or software that helps individuals perform a task that they were not able to before. With the rise in innovative technology such as text to speech which
can be used by those with a condition that makes it difficult to read such as dyslexia, or a visual impairment, speech to text, which allows people to type without using their hands, and even automated doors at building entrances, people with disabilities are now more than ever feeling encouraged to further integrate into society by seeking employment. Although there is still a long way to go and much to improve upon, assistive technology has come a long way in helping bridge the gap in employment for the disabled.
Assistive technology has become so engrained into our society that most of us benefit from it daily without giving it a second thought. If you have ever walked through automatic doors or used voice commands to send a text message while driving, you have benefited from assistive technology. The fact is that in most cases when new assistive technology is developed, not only does It benefit those for whom it was intended, but it also inspires ideas for the innovation to be implemented in ways that are beneficial to everyone.
A common misconception is that implementing assistive technology or making accommodations for employees with disabilities can be burdensome or expensive. However, that could not be further from the truth. In most cases an employee with a disability can perform job duties with little to no accommodation. For jobs that require use of a computer, most developers like Microsoft, Apple, and Google have designed their products to be fully accessible by most people with integrated and customizable accessibility settings. Although for some people these options might not be optimal for their disability, there is a plethora of other tools available for a wide variety of disabilities, some of which do require effort and funding to implement. But don’t worry, there’s resources available to help you identify which accommodations you may need to implement, as well as acquire the funds to do so. The list of diverse types of assistive technology and the resources is extensive and can be deterrent to those who are new to it. However, by taking the first steps to find out more, together we can help millions of people living with disabilities find a place in society where they can thrive and live successful and fulfilled lives while helping to reduce poverty and unemployment throughout all levels of society. A good place to start is the Assistive Technology Industry Association. They provide information, tools, and resources to anyone looking to find the correct and most effective Assistive Technology for all purposes including personal, educational, or for the workplace. Let’s start the year by doing our part to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep society moving towards a future in which everyone is given every opportunity to succeed, regardless of what challenges they may be faced with daily.