The Importance of Technology for People with Special Needs

In recent decades, the world has witnessed significant leaps in the integration of technology into nearly every aspect of daily life. It has become almost impossible to find someone without a smartphone or a factory or company that does not use technology to develop its products.

Today, technology is an indispensable part of our daily lives. It plays a crucial role in simplifying many complex processes that once required considerable time, effort, and money.

One of the key features of technology is its ability to assist all segments of society without discrimination. For example, it provides numerous tools that help children in education and other fields. It also offers many technologies designed to protect and provide optimal healthcare for the elderly.

However, what role does technology play in supporting people with special needs in our communities? Has it made a significant difference in their daily lives? What types of technology are aimed at this group, and what challenges do these efforts face? In the following report, we will address all the answers related to how technology helps people with special needs.

The Role of Technology for People with Special Needs

Last December, a report by the “Exvar” Foundation discussed the importance of technology in assisting people with visual impairments. The report, titled “Technology for Good,” highlighted the significance of technology in supporting the visually impaired and also listed the main technologies that help this specific group.

People with special needs are categorized into various groups, such as those with visual impairments, mobility impairments, cognitive impairments, and other conditions classified as “special needs.” Therefore, their individual technological needs vary depending on the type of disability they have.

Types of Assistive Technology

Assistive technologies vary based on the type of disability. They can come in the form of devices, wearable equipment, or software. All of these can help people with special needs live more independently, whether in their work or daily lives.

Examples of assistive technologies include screen readers, Braille language applications, and screen magnifiers. They may also include equipment like mobility aids, wheelchairs, and more. Some of the most common devices are those used by people with special needs in the online world.

Adaptive Keyboards

Adaptive keyboards are designed for people who have difficulty accessing standard keyboards. There are many types of adaptive keyboards to meet different accessibility needs.

Mobility Impairments:

The “Maltron” keyboard is a good example, offering a large space that makes it easier for people with limited motor control, such as those with cerebral palsy, to use. Some keyboards have recessed keys, unlike traditional keyboards, allowing users to find the correct key without accidentally pressing others.

Visual Impairments:

Keyboards designed for visually impaired users help distinguish between keys. Some adaptive keyboards also come with software for automatic word completion, speeding up typing and reducing the number of keystrokes.

Alternatives to Traditional Input Devices

Traditionally, a mouse and keyboard are used to operate a computer. However, for people with special needs, especially those with significant disabilities who cannot move their fingers or are completely immobile, alternative input devices are essential.

Technology has provided many options that allow people to use computers in ways that suit them best. This could include using their feet, mouth, eyes, breath, or a single finger. Some people use nerve or muscle signals, eye-tracking, and even brain activity as alternatives to traditional input devices.

Head Pointers:

A device mounted on the head that allows the wearer to interact with the computer interface.

Single-Switch Devices:

A single switch that performs an action when pressed and sends a signal to the computer. The switch can be customized to perform any desired action, and some people use multiple switches to perform different functions.

Foot Switches:

Foot switches work similarly to car pedals and can be customized to perform various tasks as needed.

Sip-and-Puff Switches:

This device allows users to operate a computer by inhaling and exhaling small breaths of air. Connected to a computer interface, it enables the user to focus on a part of the screen they want to interact with and select the area by sipping or puffing, depending on the device's configuration.

Eye Tracking:

Devices connected to eye-tracking software allow users to navigate web pages and type on a dedicated screen using eye movements.

Assistive Software

According to the website “InclusiveCityMaker,” which specializes in helping people with special needs, 84% of individuals with disabilities use smartphones. Therefore, assistive technology available on phones is crucial, especially through apps that aid in independent navigation.

There are applications that use QR codes to guide blind and visually impaired people by following tactile navigation paths and scanning QR codes with a smartphone camera to receive navigation instructions. Many cities around the world are being equipped to support these applications.

There are also applications that assist wheelchair users with navigation systems to avoid obstacles along their path and provide step-by-step instructions through a screen reader.

Many internet browsing applications are designed to help people with special needs access the online world more easily, either through a screen reader that reads the phone screen with a single tap or by using Braille devices for assistance.

Challenges in Using Technology for People with Special Needs

There are some obstacles that hinder the optimal use of technology to assist people with special needs. One of the most notable challenges is the slow development of assistive software, making these applications unable to keep pace with the latest global technologies and depriving their users of the latest advancements and updates.

Additionally, the high cost of adaptive technological devices and tools poses a challenge. These devices are considered specialized, and many users may not be able to afford the expenses associated with purchasing and using them.

Enhancing the Lives of People with Special Needs

In conclusion, technology has played a significant role in assisting people with special needs at various levels. It has provided them with greater opportunities for learning, communication, mobility, and daily work, and has helped them access healthcare, education, employment, and entertainment services more effectively.

Thanks to technology, people with physical, visual, and auditory disabilities can benefit from tools and applications that help them communicate with others and participate more effectively in daily life. It also helps reduce social isolation for people with disabilities and enables them to engage more in society.

On the other hand, it is important to recognize that technology is not the sole solution to all the challenges faced by people with special needs. They require support from the community, government, and institutions to achieve justice, equality, and equal opportunities for all.

The effective use of technology depends on access to appropriate technology, identifying individual needs, and providing the necessary training and support to fully benefit from it. Therefore, we must all work together to promote its sustainable and inclusive use to help people with special needs.