Top Assistive Technology Trends in the Workplace By Justin Franciscotty

Justin Franciscotty, who has more than 20 years of expertise, provides your business a track record of commercial and technological success. According to Justin, A more diverse and inclusive workplace is being facilitated by assistive technology (AT), which is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capacities of people with disabilities, claims Justin. Numerous forms of technology are used to support crucial job duties like organization and communication and frequently allow workers with disabilities to operate independently.

The use of assistive technology in the workplace varies depending on the needs of the individual and the demands of the position. While the quality of AT hardware and software has significantly improved over time as technology as a whole has developed, more recent developments in the following fields are helping to close the employment gap between people with and without disabilities.

Assistive technology trends in the workplace-

Accessible Technology

Any popular technology that has been created with the requirements of different users in mind is considered accessible and typically includes assistive technology solutions. A growing number of IT firms, including Apple, Microsoft, and Google, are being praised for developing their services and products with built-in customization options that let customers with impairments tailor their experiences.

Many companies are implementing accessible technology in the workplace to cater to the needs of their disabled employees. For instance, TD Bank provided all staff with Microsoft Office 365 and Windows 10 last year, which include a variety of apps that can be customized and accessibility features like the Narrator and Magnifier. The developers at Google have concentrated on making sure that all of their services cater to users who have vision, hearing, dexterity, and cognitive demands. They also provide a keyboard guide, an adjustable magnification/contrast aid, and their ChromeVox screen reader.

Switch Control, Voice Over, and Live Listen are just a few of the well-known smartphone accessibility tools that Apple has built into each of their products. In the end, even though many of these modifications were created with persons with disabilities in mind, their universal designs are advantageous to everyone.

Artificial Intelligence

Significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are also enhancing the working conditions for people with disabilities. Predictive text, visual recognition, and speech-to-text transcription were all innovations that later paved the way for a host of other products and services that are increasing the number of jobs available to individuals with disabilities.

For those with low vision, apps like Microsoft's Seeing AI describe people, text, and objects aloud. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) apps like Prologuo2Go let those who cannot speak easily communicate with symbols. People with physical limitations and dexterity requirements can use the IntelliGaze communication system to control their computers with their eyes. AI breakthroughs benefit workers with disabilities in a variety of ways, including facial recognition and live captioning. AI development benefits both employers and workers with disabilities, from facial recognition to live captioning and other applications.

Additionally, businesses are making more investments in innovations. In order to give technology-focused seed funds to developers, academic institutions, nonprofit groups, and inventors that want to work on AI, Microsoft developed the AI for Accessibility program .

Intelligent Voice Assistants

Although voice assistants are generally considered to be an application of artificial intelligence, voice recognition technology's extensive use warrants separate attention.

Numerous options can be connected to tools in the workplace to make the space accessible, using devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home and built-in personal software like Apple's Siri, Samsung's Bixby, Microsoft Cortana, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. To build an engaging virtual identity, voice assistants combine voice response technology that mimics human speech with platform and application connectivity. Making calls, setting up appointments, turning on or regulating electric items (such as a thermostat or light bulb), and much more are all made possible by software. 

Assistive technology funding can be obtained from a number of sources, including governmental and private. There are numerous public and private funding options available for assistive technology. The Funding Resource Guide published by the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is a wonderful location to start your funding search. Tax benefits for employing and keeping workers with disabilities are also available to employers, as indicated in the resource guide. Additionally, a lot of states and colleges have lending libraries where organizations and people with disabilities can test out various technologies before making a long-term investment.

To Sum Up

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