October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. AAC is assistive technology that provides audible voices for people who have disabilities impairing physical speech. There are many reasons a person may not be able to speak physically: The Evolution…
It’s much better to do something small than to do nothing at all. Perhaps all the more so when it comes to large-scale problems such as environmental issues. Big change begins with “ordinary” people making “little” changes on their own…
As noted in our recent articles “Let’s Appreciate AI” and “VestLife: The Latest News,” the newest generation of artificial intelligence promises to be a major factor in improving assistive technology. AI can “teach” devices and apps to: AI-Based and AI-Enhanced…
Over 31,000 people in the United States have ALS (full name amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a terminal nerve disease. The primary symptom is deteriorating muscle control which ultimately leads to respiratory failure and death, usually within five years. It’s quite possible…
You may or may not be a technical whiz, or have personal disability experience. However, even casual interactions can make positive contributions to the world of assistive technology (AT) and the lives of its users. Here are a few ideas…
You could say they “aren’t your grandmother’s toy dog,” except that Joy for All robotic pets are designed for grandmothers and other seniors. These amazingly lifelike toy animals are made to provide some of the benefits of pet ownership, where…
Happy Independence Day month, everybody! No one is “confined to a wheelchair.” Or “stuck in a wheelchair.” Or “wheelchair bound.” Any such phrase marks the speaker as insensitive to wheelchair users. It’s not that wheelchair users have anything against the…
In recognition of Deafblind Awareness Week this June 25–July 1, today we look at assistive technology for people with impaired hearing and/or vision. Worldwide, over 1.5 billion people have hearing loss; at least 175 million have blindness or low vision;…
Hearing loss is worse than an inconvenience: its side effects include social isolation, increased vulnerability to depression, and increased risk of injury. Not to mention higher stress and frustration levels, especially when dealing with people who dismiss the struggle with,…
