A 2023 report from the WHO shared that over 1.3 billion people experience disability. One of the reasons highlighted in the report was the increase in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Such diseases can impair a person’s physical and mental functionality. Genetics can further increase the risk of disability in the offspring of such individuals.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Artificial Intelligence now provides assistance to disabled people in ways that were once unimaginable.
This article explores the marvelous ways that AI is assisting disabled persons, helping them rehabilitate their lives in the best manner. Let’s check them one by one.
Speech to Text Technology
Transcription tools help deaf people to interact with others online. There are multiple transcription apps, and smartphones have built-in transcription tools, which transcribe spoken words into written text.
Such tools are not only used for communication but also for entertainment purposes, such as viewing content, podcasts, webinars, etc.
But how exactly do these transcribers work?
Artificial Intelligence, my dear!
AI transcription uses speech recognition and machine learning algorithms to convert audio into text automatically.
Advanced Transcription
One of the key benefits of using AI tools for transcription is increased transcription speed. This feature of AI tools benefits deaf people to understand the context right away, as the captions/ subtitles/ transcribed text are displayed in real time.
What’s more interesting is the ability of AI tools to understand the changing accents and dialects. For instance, we see in movies where the characters speak foreign languages.
In such cases, the AI tools can easily pick the accent, process the language, and display translations, offering accurate and helpful transcriptions.
Voice Recognition Technology
We’re well aware of the voice recognition functionalities from smartphones and voice assistants. These are AI-based smart assistants that anyone can use; however, physically disabled people can use such assistants to carry out daily chores.
From controlling smart devices to sending and receiving messages and calls, smart voice recognition technology helps people with mobility disability.
For instance, the user can ask the voice assistant to dial the Spectrum customer service number and put the phone on speaker to get help when there is a problem with the internet. Spectrum Voice customers, however, can benefit from its multiple accessibility features for hard-of-hearing individuals, including closed captioning, Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), and Readable Voicemail.
Anyway, voice assistants become real-time assistants and follow the everyday commands of the user.
Visual Recognition Technology
Similar to speech-to-text technology, visual recognition technology enables blind people to recognize the visuals on the screen. These applications describe the ‘computer vision’ to the user, allowing them to understand the display.
One such example is how websites explain images using the ‘alternative text’ provided by the webmaster for the images. Within this, AI-driven screen readers go further, reading more than texts, i.e., reading graphs, charts, and other forms of visual media.
AI tools are sophisticated enough to even read ‘facial expressions’ from images, describe scenery, and explain details.
Assistive Technology
AI-incorporated assistive technology takes human assistance to the next level. This type of technology is used in assistive robots that are designed to offer assistance and perform essential tasks.
Tasks, such as opening doors, preparing meals, picking up objects, etc., are accomplished using assistive robot technology. Kinova, a Canadian robotics technology company, develops such robots that help disabled individuals accomplish tasks, such as eating, drinking, etc.
In addition, AI-based exoskeletons are also used to help people with disabilities. When programmed with the mechanics of the prosthetics, the device predicts the user’s movement accurately.
Doing so increases the efficiency of the device, helping with the mobility of the user. Such devices are commonly used for people recovering from injuries, i.e., spinal cord injury, stroke, etc. Once the body regains its motor function, the user can decide to continue using the prosthetic or not.
Learning Technology
AI is changing the way existing assistive technology works. For instance, AI-powered braille apps allow blind users to learn how to use braille. It does so by incorporating optical character recognition (OCR), which recognizes the braille inputs and converts them into digital text. These apps also teach users to learn Braille quickly.
Using the transcription technology, educational institutes easily engage deaf people and help them learn effectively. Similarly, blind people benefit from the visual technology that can convert visuals into text beforehand and help them understand as they read.
AI-powered learning platforms highlight the learning progress of the students. Many of these come with enhanced features, such as a personalized learning experience, which lets every student learn at their own pace, understand complex problems easily, and apply the learning to solve practical problems.
Moreover, these learning platforms also help students with disabilities to actively engage in group activities with other students. Teachers assimilate the group’s effort and grade accordingly.
In a Nutshell
Overall, AI has proven useful for not just improving technology, but it also helps people with disabilities to lead their lives without barriers.
