Wearables and People With Disabilities

Abstract

Assistive technology including wearables, have a positive impact towards changing the lives of people with disabilities. Advances in glass, electronics, sensors, and a wide range of digital devices are substantially improving how people with disabilities (PWD) navigate the world, and allow greater possibilities for PWD who are competing in today's job market. This chapter explores the following topics related to disabilities: Historical developments changing the lives of people with physical and sensory disabilities, laws pertaining to technology access, technological advances in wearables for individuals who are deaf, blind, paralyzed, or other mobility and speech impairments, socio-cultural and vocational implications of wearables for individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind or speech impaired, and the applications needed for wearables to meet the on-the-job demands.

Transformation of Vocational Skills for Doormat Craftsmen from Persons with Disabilities using Assistive Technology

“…Based on the results of research conducted by Ebuenyi et al (2020), it is known that apart from increasing vocational skills, the provision of assistive technology that is not suitable or difficult to accommodate is also a challenge for persons with disabilities in paving the way towards equality in work. Assistive technology has a positive impact on changing the lives of persons with disabilities, ensuring they can access every aspect of society, from daily activities that promote independent living skills to vocational and recreational activities (Paris & Miller, 2018).…”