Assistive Technologies for People with Diverse Abilities

This article strives to provide research findings and implications for the use of assistive technologies (AT) for students with visual and hearing impairments. First, the common challenges associated with visual and hearing impairments in students while learning languages, and the process of fitting AT to this category of students have been discussed. The research was focused on AT for language learning, reading, writing. Assistive technology items have been grouped according to whether they enhances the visual or hearing capabilities of students with disabilities. Assistive technologies for students with visual impairments and blindness have been united in assistive technologies for reading (technologies that enhance sight capabilities, technologies that engage senses and abilities other than sight literature), assistive technologies for writing (technologies that enhance sight capabilities, technologies that engage senses and abilities other than sight); assistive technologies for students with hearing impairments (amplification devices, telecommunication device for the deaf, frequency-modulated amplification systems. Based on principles of organization of language education in the system of language policy in the USA, the importance of English learning for students with visual and hearing disabilities in the USA has been grounded. Areas for future research of assistive technologies for students with visual and hearing impairments and the value of research findings to optimizing the education and development of students have been shown as a great need for continued work in these areas.

This chapter provides an overview of studies that have evaluated the use of assistive technology to improve the communication functioning of individuals with specific types of communication disorders. The studies are divided into three groups based on the nature of the presenting communication disorder. The first group concerns studies that targeted individuals with cerebral palsy. The second group concerns studies on using assistive technology for people with other motor speech disorders, such as apraxia, dysarthria, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The third group consists of studies focused on the use of assistive communication technologies to improve spoken and written language expression in people with aphasia. The final part of this chapter analyzes the overall outcomes of the three groups of studies reviewed, considers the implications of these findings for overall communication and social functioning, and highlights directions for future research.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of understanding of “user experience”; i.e. how people with visual impairments use today’s emerging mainstream technologies along with assistive technologies, which would ultimately lead to less user-friendly designs. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to advance knowledge of user needs and concerns about usability of mainstream and assistive technologies. METHODS: The archival research method was used to obtain data via online forum sites. After reviewing six forum sites, this study has found 92 messages that specifically discussed the use of technology, and reviewed the messages by comparing them with ten usability heuristics by Nielsen. RESULTS: The majority of usability problems were associated with flexibility and efficiency of use; help for users to recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors; and help documentation. CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative to focus on improving usability of both assistive and mainstream technologies in use by people with visual impairments.

Assistive technology (AT) for students with visual impairments (VI) is an essential part of their educational program. AT allows students to develop skills, engage in the academic environment, and function independently. Despite the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate for AT as part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), research has found that rural schools use fewer AT devices when compared with urban schools. The extent of AT use is significantly determined by the level of teachers’ training and their familiarity with AT. In this article, the authors present an AT resource they created to provide teachers and parents with current, helpful information on AT for students with VI. The resource details (a) application/devices about which teachers need to know more, (b) the type of VI with which an application/device is most helpful, (c) key features, (d) cost, (e) sources for additional information, (f) product guides and research evaluating the AT, and (g) organizations that provide additional information.

Our goal is to educate a broader population about the technological needs and interests of people with vision impairments while encouraging artificial intelligence (AI) researchers to develop new algorithms that can help eliminate accessibility barriers. Towards this goal, we organised the VizWiz Grand Challenge Workshop at the IEEE/CVF Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference (CVPR 2022). This workshop's scope included charting and celebrating progress on accessibility-related AI challenges as well as engaging invited speakers and stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities related to designing next-generation assistive technologies. A total of 72 teams participated in our three AI challenges and the winners received awards sponsored by Microsoft. The facilitated discussions highlighted insights from ten invited speakers who provided a range of expertise spanning the cutting edge of computer vision research, development of industry products and services for assisting people with vision impairments, and perspectives of people with vision impairments who use visual assistance technologies. Finally, nine teams who submitted extended abstracts about their research related to the AI challenges and assistive technologies for people with visual impairments gave spotlight and poster presentations about their research. Links to the content shared at the event can be found at VizWiz Workshop

Purpose: In this paper, the authors explore the use of mobile devices as assistive technology for students with visual impairments in resource-limited environments. This paper provides initial data and analysis from an ongoing project in Kenya using tablet devices to provide access to education and independence for university students with visual impairments in Kenya. Method: The project is a design-based research project in which we have developed and are refining a theoretically grounded intervention – a model for developing communities of practice to support the use of mobile technology as an assistive technology. We are collecting data to assess the efficacy and improve the model as well as inform the literature that has guided the design of the intervention. Results: In examining the impact of the use of mobile devices for the students with visual impairments, we found that the devices provide the students with (a) access to education, (b) the means to participate in everyday life and (c) the opportunity to create a community of practice. Conclusions: Findings from this project suggest that communities of practice are both a viable and a valuable approach for facilitating the diffusion and support of mobile devices as assistive technology for students with visual impairments in resource-limited environments.Implications for RehabilitationThe use of mobile devices as assistive technology in resource-limited environments provides students with visual impairments access to education and enhanced means to participate in everyday life.Communities of practice are both a viable and a valuable approach for facilitating the diffusion and support of mobile devices as assistive technology for students with visual impairments in resource-limited environments.Providing access to assistive technology early and consistently throughout students’ schooling builds both their skill and confidence and also demonstrates the capabilities of people with visual impairments to the larger society.

A holistic understanding of challenges faced by people with low vision

People with disabilities, specifically, those that are having a problem associated with sight or hearing, which falls under the categories of blind and deaf, require technological assistance to move freely. The technological area that is concerned with “Obstacle Detection and Feedback System” can be utilised to address the specific issues of dealing with the abovementioned problems. The growing demand for improved obstacle detection methods has pushed major developments in assistive technologies for people with visual impairments. The information needed and interrelationships among important criteria impacting the efficacy of obstacle detection systems are investigated in this work using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. Nine critical criteria, including Safety (SF), Accuracy of Detection (AD), Response Time (RT), Ease of Use (EU), Portability (PT), Battery Life (BL), Environmental Adaptability (EA), Cost (CT) and Durability (DD), are used. Data was collected from 21 expert participants through structured questionnaires, and the influence of each criterion was analysed using a total relation matrix. The most influential criteria identified were SF with a total influence score of 42.07, AD (41.08), RT (41.01) and Ease of EU (40.83). Factors such as BL (37.51) and CT (38.54) were found to be dependent on improvements in primary criteria. This study provides a structured decision-making framework to enhance obstacle detection systems by prioritising safety, real-time response and usability. The findings offer practical insights for developing AI-driven assistive technologies, ensuring improved accessibility, efficiency and integration into smart city environments.

Chapter Two - Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments: A Research Agenda

Background Assistive Technology (AT) helps individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to overcome limitations and enhance their social engagement by providing support in areas that would otherwise be difficult or unachievable. Objective The aim of this study is to determine the level of AT usage among individuals with MS and to address various questions related to the sociological implications of (non)use of AT devices, (un)awareness, and logistical barriers that prevent the full utilization of AT devices in the daily activities. Method 121 participants with previously diagnosed MS (26 AT users, 95 non-users), aged 18–65, were surveyed using a modified The Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment tool (rATA) covering: demographics, needs, supply, financing, satisfaction, and recommendations. Results Totally 21.5% of MS individuals used AT, dominantly mobility devices. Insecurity prevents desirable usage of AT devices. Affordability is a factor relevant for the device ownership. Both MS individuals and society lacked sufficient AT informedness. Conclusion Based on the results and current guidelines, it’s essential to improve policies, supplying, AT device enhancements, and education to fully utilize AT’s potential in people with MS.

Population ageing, multi-morbidity and associated disability is shifting global demand for health and care services. Innovative solutions are required to meet the evolving needs of people with advanced disease, support independent functioning and quality of life. This scoping review aimed to map and examine evidence on the role of assistive technology in adults with advanced disease and those receiving palliative care. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, PsychINFO and Cinahl, was conducted from inception to 31st July 2024 for studies investigating use of assistive technologies in people with advanced disease or receiving palliative care. Titles and abstracts were independently screened before full texts retrieved for eligibility review, data extraction, synthesis and descriptive analysis. 23/811 screened papers met eligibility criteria. Participants included ALS/MND (n13/23); palliative care (n4/23); cancer (n2/23); dementia (n2/23); Parkinson’s (n1/23) and frailty (n1/23). Studies evaluated assistive technologies supporting ten functional domains; most frequently to support communication and information management (n13/23), least frequently orthoses and prosthesis, and domestic activities and participation in domestic life (n1/23). Outcomes of assistive technology use related to functioning, quality of life, dignity in end-of-life care and health service use. Implications for individual users, device design and delivery are discussed. This review highlights potential benefits of assistive technologies and gaps in research on their use for adults with advanced disease or receiving palliative care. Empirical evidence is limited and focuses on communication enhancing high-tech devices. Future research should explore assistive technology’s impact over time on health outcomes, alongside strategies to integrate provision in care.

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 include a new target for global health: SDG 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Dementia care of good quality is particularly important given the projected increase in the number of people living with the condition. A range of assistive technologies have been proposed to support dementia care. However, the World Health Organization estimated in 2017 that only one in 10 of the 1 billion or more people globally who could benefit from these technologies in some way actually has access to them. For people living with dementia, there has been little analysis of whether assistive technologies will support their human rights in ways that are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The aim of this paper is to examine the relevant provisions of the convention and consider their implications for the use of assistive technologies in dementia care. Assistive technologies can clearly play an important role in supporting social engagement, decision-making and advance planning by people living with dementia. However, concerns exist that some of these technologies also have the potential to restrict freedom of movement and intrude into privacy. In conclusion, an analysis of the implications of assistive technologies for human rights laws is needed to ensure that technologies are used in ways that support human rights and help meet the health-related SDG 3.

Objectives. The project HandiVision “User driven innovation – better assistive technology for people with disability” ran 2008-2010. The objectives of the project were to involve users and professionals in development of new and better assistive technology by finding and systematizing new methods for user-driven innovation (BDI).

In the field of research for assistive technology, the advancement of navigational tools for those who are blind had emerged as a major concern. This article offers valuable insights for researchers working on assistive technologies for people who are blind or visually impaired, specifically focusing on indoor and outdoor navigation systems. To create such systems, it is important to study past research in this area, starting from early investigations on electronic travel aids to the more recent utilization of advanced artificial vision models. This paper aims to provide an effective vision for researchers to use in developing technological instruments for the visually impaired. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation of various technological approaches in order to achieve the challenging goal of creating an effective navigation system. We carried out a separate systematic review because papers in this field tend to focus more on software-based computer vision solutions than on hardware. We have analyzed 191 relevant studies published between 2011 and 2022 to create a comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. This systematic mapping process will assist researchers, engineers, and practitioners in making informed decisions by identifying shortcomings in current navigation assistance technology and proposing new and improved smart assistant applications that can ensure the safety and accuracy of direction for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Today, in developed societies, life expectancy is noticeably increasing due to improved healthcare systems and medical advances. Along with a longer aging period, falling birth rates, and other concomitant social factors, the age distribution is evidencing a shift towards the demographic expansion of older population stages. Epidemiological studies about this demographic aging distribution of the world population indicate that older adults are experiencing a variety of age-related problems, including Dementia. Dementia is overwhelming and frightening for both loved persons who live with Dementia, and also their caregivers. The number of people living with Dementia in societies is now rising at an unprecedented rate. Neither decisive treatment, nor effective medicines have been introduced to help society cope with such age associated pathologies. However, one promising alternative to this emerging crisis has been the adoption of Assistive Technologies (AT). Therefore, for this study, a systematic literature review is conducted to provide an overview about recent findings in this field of study and also address some available technologies that have potential application for Dementia sufferers. This work makes a report on existing technologies in the field, thus becoming a survey on existing supportive technologies for People with Dementia (PwD). The findings of this work provide an insight into the types and percentages of suggested technologies for each classification that aim to be useful for those researching the field or who want to know state of the art in this presently relevant domain. Concluding points and discussion are presented subsequently.