Back in 2007, during my physiotherapy session at a local center, a sudden commotion caught my attention in the computer room. Intrigued by all the fuss, I made a beeline to the source. When I arrived, the room fell silent as I watched a physiotherapist carefully place a head stylus on a boy affected by cerebral palsy. I held my breath in anticipation as the boy, who could neither speak nor use his hands to operate a computer, managed to type a profound message using the head stylus, “There is no disability. There is only a lack of accessibility.”  
 
The poignant moment made me realize that disability is never a problem or setback, rather, it is a world that fails to provide adequate support and accessibility for all individuals. And if there is one thing that can change such a “disability-insensitive” world, it’s technology. 

At its core, technology strives for inclusivity, where everyone can access life-sustaining and life-enhancing resources because everyone deserves it. Technology offers all that and more – comfort, convenience, safety, and speed. 

The days of the head stylus are long gone with ongoing innovation and sophistication. As technological inventions continue to advance, we get to see disability-assistive tools that enable people with a wide range of disabilities to work remotely and thrive.   

Where there is a will, there is a way.  
 
Disabled workers have been asking for work-from-home options for ages, especially with the rise of the Internet. Their requests, however, fell on deaf ears and were largely brushed off because “It’s too difficult and won’t work.” When the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary for able-bodied folks to work from home due to workplace inaccessibility, heaven and earth were moved to ensure that remote work operated like a well-oiled clockwork. Internet technology was harnessed to its full potential to create seamless, efficient, and effective remote work processes.     

The silver lining of the pandemic was that a large demographic of PWD workers, based in various geographical locations, were finally granted the opportunity to work from home in historic numbers. Employers came to realize that the only thing that was holding them back from providing remote work roles to disabled workers was a lack of willingness to invest in accessibility and the persistence of remote work misconceptions. 

Today, technology and science are increasingly committed to fostering a more comprehensive approach to disability inclusion. 

In an ever-progressing world of innovation, disability inclusion has become an integral part of advancements that cater to a range of disabilities, enabling employment for PWD workers with varying degrees of physical limitations.    

This article will highlight brands that offer a wide range of assistive technologies designed to cater to various disabilities, including mobility impairments, and visual, speech, or hearing impairments. I encourage you to use these assistive tools to further disability inclusion in your workplace. Additionally, I hope this information on assistive technology helps PWDs acquire financial independence through sustainable and gainful remote employment. 
 1. Microsoft 

Microsoft has a range of accessibility features and tools built into its products, including Windows, Office 365, and Teams. Many are unaware of these assistive tools within the software, which include screen readers, magnifying tools, speech recognition, and more.  

Microsoft Accessibility is the section committed to bridging the “Disability Divide.” The tech company defines the “Disability Divide” as the gap in societal inclusion for people with disabilities in education, employment, and access to technology. When the company’s Founder, Bill Gates, said in the 80s that Microsoft would ensure every home has a computer, he was very serious about inclusion. 

In its ongoing efforts to cover a spectrum of disabilities, Microsoft also focuses on neurodivergence, learning, and mental health while providing assistive technology training to deepen accessibility knowledge through live and pre-recorded videos of training sessions. 

Microsoft also produces adaptive accessories for people with weak grips, poor motor skills, or muscle spasms. 

The software pioneer believes in building an accessible future, recognizing that the innovation driving disability into adaptive ability ultimately benefits us all.

2. Apple 

The tech giant Apple is deeply committed to accessibility, having integrated a wide array of features specifically designed to facilitate access to their products for people with disabilities (PWDs) to work, study, learn, or play. These features aid users with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.  

VoiceOver feature reads on-screen texts aloud, describes the user’s action, and provides audio cues to help users navigate the interface. Designed for people with visual impairments, the feature allows workers with low vision or blindness to work efficiently. 

The hearing-impaired are empowered by Live Captions, which provides real-time captions for videos and audio content on a device.  

People with motor impairment can benefit from AssistiveTouch. A PWD worker can leverage a single button or gesture to control, manage, and work using a device. 

Apple’s Background Sounds provides various sounds to help individuals with cognitive disabilities focus, relax, or mask unwanted noise. 

The best technology is the technology everyone can use. With Apple products’ built-in accessibility features, you can connect, create, work, and do what you love, and be empowered more than ever. 

3. OrCam MyEye 

OrCam MyEye, designed and produced by OrCam Technologies, is a wearable, multifunctional artificial vision device that’s a one-stop solution for the visually impaired. 

This device can: 

• Read printed and digital texts in any medium aloud to the user in real-time.  
• Recognize faces and announce a person’s name when they come into view, allowing the user to identify people around them. 
• Scan barcodes, determine money value, identify labels, and detect colors, providing the on-view details for users. 

OrCam Technologies is a company specializing in artificial vision solutions and although the OrCam MyEye smart camera device is in its early development stage, it promises unprecedented visual accessibility to the visually impaired. 

4. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 

Developed by Nuance Communications (now part of Microsoft), Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a highly regarded speech recognition software designed to assist individuals with mobility impairments or those with difficulty using traditional keyboards and mice. It can control a computer, navigate the web, send emails, create documents, and perform various tasks. It also supports several languages, making it accessible to users worldwide. 

Dragon NaturallySpeaking uses advanced voice recognition technology to convert spoken words into text. It can accurately transcribe your words, making it a valuable tool for various applications. 

The professional versions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, tailored for businesses and organizations, come equipped with advanced features. These encompass the creation of custom vocabularies and advanced scripting capabilities, enhancing the software’s adaptability and utility. 

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is compatible with various applications and software, including Microsoft Office, web browsers, and more. It can also be used with custom software applications. 

The software is a powerful and versatile tool that empowers people with mobility impairments and repetitive stress injuries to participate in various aspects of work and life that may be challenging without such tools. 

5. Sip-and-Puff Devices 

Companies like QuadJoy and Broadened Horizons offer sip-and-puff devices that allow individuals with limited mobility to control computers and other devices. These can be valuable tools for remote work accessibility for those affected by quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease – the disease that affected the globally renowned astrophysicist Dr. Stephen Hawking ), traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and other physical limitations. These devices interpret the user’s sipping and puffing actions through a straw-like device, translating them into specific commands and inputs, allowing the user to work remotely.  

Just by sipping and puffing, you can type emails, participate in virtual calls and meetings, and use software applications necessary for remote work. You can also customize sip-and-puff systems to perform specific functions based on your needs and preferences. This may include controlling the mouse pointer, typing on a keyboard, opening applications, and executing various commands.  

Furthermore, these devices are compatible with Windows, Mac smartphones, tablets, and environmental control systems. This compatibility is crucial for remote workers who rely on various devices for work tasks. 

As the technology behind sip-and-puff devices continues to evolve, sensor technology advancements and software developments will enhance their accuracy and usability. Some systems even incorporate eye-tracking technology to provide an additional means of control. 

6. Kurzweil 3000 

Kurzweil 3000 by Kurzweil Education is a powerful and multifaceted software program that has been specifically developed to address the needs of individuals with learning disabilities, as well as those who encounter difficulties in reading, writing, and learning.  

Here’s a breakdown of the key features and benefits of Kurzweil 3000: 

• Text-to-Speech (TTS): Kurzweil 3000 incorporates a sophisticated text-to-speech functionality that can read written text aloud, making it accessible to individuals who may struggle with traditional reading or have visual impairments, helping users absorb the content and better understand it through auditory means. 
• Text Highlighting: The text highlighting feature synchronizes the text-to-speech functionality, reading a text aloud as it highlights the words being spoken. This dual-visual and auditory approach can enhance comprehension and retention. 
• Writing Support: The software offers various tools to assist users in writing better with features like word prediction, spell check, and grammar checking, helping individuals create more accurate and polished written content. 

Kurzweil 3000 can aid PWD remote workers and those with a wide range of learning disabilities and accessibility through its adjustable font sizes, high-contrast text, and screen reader compatibility. 

Through Kurzweil 3000’s comprehensive suite of tools and features to assist with reading, writing, and learning, remote workers with learning disabilities can conduct research, write convincingly, and grasp insights, ideas, instructions, and work requests more powerfully and holistically. 

7. Tobii Dynavox  

Tobii Dynavox is a company specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and assistive technology solutions. Their products are designed to assist individuals with communication difficulties due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, ALS, or other speech and language disorders. Tobii Dynavox’s solutions aim to provide voice and communication tools for individuals with difficulty speaking or typing. 

Here are some critical aspects of Tobii Dynavox and its AAC devices and solutions: 

• It has a range of customizable communication devices (tablet-like devices with touch screens), allowing individuals with speech impairments to “speak” through speech output, text or symbol-based communication. 
• Its ground-breaking eye-tracking technology enables individuals with limited or no motor control to communicate using eye movements. Eye-tracking devices track a person’s gaze and allow them to select letters, words, or symbols on the screen, which are then converted into spoken words or text. 
• Its communication software can be integrated with hardware devices, offering a range of communication tools, symbol libraries, and customizable options to suit the individual’s specific needs and preferences. 

Tobii Dynavox’s solutions are integral to the assistive technology landscape, providing opportunities for individuals with speech problems to work remotely and overcome communication challenges.  Their devices and software continue to evolve, integrating the latest technology to improve the lives of those with communication challenges. 

When selecting assistive technology for disabled remote workers, it’s crucial to consider individual needs, preferences, and the specific nature of their disabilities. Customization is key to meeting unique requirements, and some may require training and ongoing support to maximize their effectiveness. Additionally, organizations should be aware of legal obligations under disability rights laws to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees, including assistive technology, as needed. 

Assistive technology is making an impact in the disability-inclusive remote work sphere. The way forward is adaptive technology.   

Darwinism doesn’t theorize that the strongest and the swiftest would survive. The theory is that the fittest would survive. And being fit for something means adapting to it. 

When the world adapts to every individual’s specific requirement to thrive, there will be no disability.  

And I think that should be the truest, most earnest purpose of technology and its evolution. 

Ready to hop onboard the remote work revolution? Register at JEDI Jobs now! 

JEDI Jobs is a diverse-minded, disability-inclusive remote job portal featuring global employers poised to fill their remote workplaces with employees from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Register here to advertise your remote vacancies and attract top talents to scale your organizations to peak levels. 

The time to go remote is NOW. 

If you’re a PWD, JEDI Jobs beckons you to register here and find your ideal remote job. Work in the comfort of your home and harness the convenience of technology to augment the quality of your life.