Disability products can be life-changing for those who use them. They allow them to become self-reliant in tasks they used to rely on others to complete.
A few examples of these innovations are: a one-button computer that allows users to call their loved ones, a bathtub designed to mimic the motion of a see-saw, and gloves that move fingers.
1. One-Button Computer
This device is simple, cheap and incredibly useful. It was designed for people with arthritis who have trouble with touchscreens, and it lets them control a computer with just one large button that's easy to grab.
The device also allows users to record and save video to USB. They can even share their work online. All that's needed is a computer with a USB port and a button.
Jef Raskin, the man credited with starting Apple's Macintosh project in 1980, was responsible for a prototype with just one button mouse. It was later adapted into the Macintosh that was first released to the public in 1984.
KOMP is a single-button computer designed by No Isolation to help the elderly stay connected with family members. It has a 21" screen, an inbuilt camera and speakers. The device is able to send photos, messages and reminders, and can make video calls.
2. Liftware
Taking a spoon to your mouth seems like a basic daily activity that shouldn’t be too difficult, but for many people with hand tremors (from Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor) or limited mobility, eating can be an impossible task. Google-owned Verily Life Sciences LLC developed two utensils, called Liftware Steady and Liftware Level, to help these individuals regain their mealtime independence.
The specialized handles have sensors and an onboard computer that recognize the unwanted movement, then uses motors to counteract it. In a clinical study, the device reduced tremors when eating and transferring food from hand to mouth by 70 percent.
The utensils are available for $195 each online at Lift Labs Design, and the company accepts donations so they can reach seniors who cannot afford to buy one. Learn more about this incredible invention here.
3. Vibeat
A 2016 graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Israel, Liron Gino designed a set of jewelry-like devices that allow deaf and hearing-impaired people to experience music through vibration (+ movie). The Vibeat collection, which includes a necklace, bracelet and pin with circular modules, acts as an alternative to headphones, translating sonic frequencies into haptic vibrations. Each piece in the collection translates different tracks into varying vibrations, with some reacting to lower or higher ranges to help users feel songs completely through touch.
The disc-like modules connect to a device through Bluetooth, and internal motors react to the varying frequencies of each song by vibrating at multiple rates. Each module can be unclipped, allowing wearers to decide where they want to place the device on their body. The system also allows them to share the music with a hearing person, who can listen through a pair of headphones.
4. Audiobook
A spoken version of a written text, an audiobook is usually recorded by a narrator and distributed as an audio file. It can be listened to on a wide variety of devices, including computers, mobile phones, and smart speakers.
It’s an effective tool for those with reading disabilities and is especially helpful to students with dyslexia. It helps fill in comprehension gaps, support vocabulary development, and make it easier to build decoding skills.
Talking books, or audiobooks, have been around since the early 1900s. They were originally created to help visually impaired people. They are produced on a wide variety of formats, and some require special players to be used. The growth of audiobooks has given a huge boost to the entrepreneurial world. The market is expected to grow at a fast pace in the coming years.
5. OXO Good Grips
The company's founder, Sam Farber, watched his wife struggling to hold a vegetable peeler because of arthritis and became determined to develop tools that were comfortable for all hands. The result was OXO Good Grips, an entire line of cooks' tools and utensils that are both stylish and ergonomic.
Embedded "fins" on handle sides flex and conform to different grips, while the overall shape fits easily in the hand. All products are dishwasher-safe and made with nonstick, soft, flexible Santoprene handles.
Many OXO products are available individually or in sets to meet every kitchen need. Their popular salad spinner, for example, is operated by pressing a large button that eliminates the need to twist and grip the handle. Extensive user research and inclusive development are a big part of the company's success, which has earned them global recognition.
6. Teletypewriter
Designed by deaf scientist Robert Weitbrecht, this communication device allows individuals with severe hearing loss or speech impairments to communicate over telephone lines by typing. Also known as a TTY or TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), these devices can be used with landline telephones, cellular phones, and TTY relay services.
Teletypewriters are electromechanical typewriters that can send and receive human-readable text messages over a simple electrical communications channel, either wired or wirelessly via radio. They can also print incoming and reply messages, and they can send commands to control non-printing operations such as moving the carriage back to the beginning of the next line or advancing to the same column on the next line.
In the 1960s, TTY devices enabled deaf and hard-of-hearing people to call their hearing family members, friends, doctors, and business associates directly. Today, this same technology is still available through TTY relay service providers and a number of state-based Telecommunications Relay Programs.
7. Text-to-Speech Synthesizer
Text to speech software turns written digital content, like emails and articles, into audio by converting it into a computer-generated voice. It can also be used to make video voiceovers for YouTube videos, Tiktok shorts and explainer videos.
The technology is particularly useful for students who have dyslexia and other diagnosed learning disabilities, but it can benefit anyone who struggles with reading. In addition to providing audio support for written material, TTS software can help students with spelling by providing word prediction features and phonetic spell checking.
TTS can help reduce eye strain and fatigue, making it a great option for those who spend long periods of time reading. It can also help people with limited mobility who may be unable to hold a book or tablet. It is a popular feature in mobile devices and voice assistants.
8. Text-to-Speech Reader
Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology converts written content into an audio file that can be played back. This allows people to listen to reports, memos and other documents when reading is difficult or impractical. It can also make content more accessible to visually impaired individuals and those learning foreign languages.
Many personal digital devices, including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and digital tablets, have built-in TTS tools. Children with dyslexia or ADHD benefit from these tools because they allow them to hear the words as they are read.
Dedicated software programs often come with customizable voices and can support multiple languages. This makes them a great tool for businesses who want to provide more inclusive experiences to their customers. These products can even translate written text into speech in real time. Some TTS tools can also be used with optical character recognition (OCR) technology that can scan and read printed text.
9. Text-to-Speech Translator
Known as TTS or speech synthesis, text-to-speech technology converts digital written text into computer-generated speech. Whether it’s in an email, text file, TikTok caption or photo app, it allows users to hear the words in real time instead of reading them on the screen.
TTS is a necessary tool for businesses that produce a lot of content and want to make it easier for employees to consume on the go. Additionally, it can be a lifesaver for people with visual impairments.
TTS is also useful for cross-cultural communication, enabling users to instantly translate texts into their preferred language with the use of speech recognition. This allows individuals to communicate with more of the world’s population. This opens up new friendships, business opportunities and global awareness. The best TTS services support multiple languages, including English. Oftentimes, the software is based on artificial intelligence, which offers various premade voices and accents.
10. Accessible Electric Car
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and it's easy to see why: They're more environmentally friendly, they typically cost less than gas-powered cars, and they offer superior technology. But there's one group of people missing out on the benefits of this revolution: wheelchair users.
The batteries in EVs are located under the floor, making them difficult for wheelchair users to access. Plus, conversions can be costly.
And even if wheelchair users are willing to invest in an EV, the problem of public charging stations remains. Research conducted by Motability and Designability in 2021 found that disabled drivers want to make the switch to electric cars, but they're being held back by these barriers. Luckily, solutions are in the works, including new connector designs that address the issue of cable weight. These changes could help EV adoption become an inclusive movement for all.
