Over the last several decades, technological advancements have transformed the ways in which people around the world learn, teach, conduct business and communicate. With the help of advanced and developing technologies, individuals of all backgrounds and abilities have unprecedented access and control over their daily activities, responsibilities and interpersonal relationships.
This is particularly true for individuals with disabilities who have benefited substantially from the broad spectrum of technological solutions now available to the public. From captioning tools to screen readers, assistive and adaptive technologies have laid the foundation for more equitable participation in educational spaces, work environments and social settings. In this blog, we’ll explore the ins and outs of assistive and adaptive technologies and discuss the benefits of making these valuable solutions available to today’s consumers and employees.
Assistive vs. adaptive technology: Key differences
It is not uncommon for individuals to use the terms “assistive” and “adaptive” interchangeably when discussing accessibility technologies. While both have several attributes in common, it is important to understand that these classifications are distinct from one another, as different kinds of accessibility solutions serve distinct purposes.
The term “assistive technology” refers rather broadly to any technological device, program or platform that is used to support the needs of individuals with disabilities or specific learning needs. “Adaptive technology,” on the other hand, is a sub-category of assistive technology that refers to any technological solution that is used to modify existing devices to be more user-friendly for those with disabilities.
In essence, while assistive technology introduces new tools to meet users’ diverse needs, adaptive technology modifies existing ones to make them more accessible to those with disabilities. Understanding the distinction between adaptive equipment vs. assistive devices is crucial in identifying the right solutions for different needs and offering targeted support to members of your community.
Examples of assistive technologies
As we’ve discussed, assistive technology solutions empower individuals with a wide variety of disabilities and learning needs by streamlining essential tasks and workflows. Here are a few examples of assistive technologies:
Captioning
Captioning tools are essential for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing because they convert spoken language into on-screen text. Captioning is typically used to make video content more accessible to individuals with hearing loss, but captions can also be a valuable tool for any individual who needs or prefers to consume content in a readable format. Content creators and business owners can add captions to both pre-recorded and live video content to ensure their media and communications are sufficiently accessible to community members of all backgrounds and abilities.
Transcription
Transcription, like captioning, converts speech into written text. However, unlike captions, transcripts are presented as a long-form readout rather than being synced to an audio recording line by line. Transcripts are a great tool for enhancing the accessibility of video and audio content, such as podcast episodes. Many educators also note the far-ranging benefits of providing transcripts to their students as study tools because they provide comprehensive and searchable accounts of lectures, seminars and other course communications.
Dictation and note-taking
Speech-to-text software has become a standard feature in many applications and digital platforms because it allows individuals to dictate notes or input text hands-free. This assistive technology makes it easier for all users to complete academic or professional tasks more efficiently and is particularly valuable for individuals with mobility or dexterity-related disabilities. These solutions are particularly valuable for individuals in the medical, legal and financial sectors in which professionals are expected to interact with large amounts of complex data and information securely and efficiently.
Examples of adaptive technologies
As a reminder, adaptive technologies modify existing tools or environments to ensure accessibility. Adaptive technology is a form of assistive technology, but adaptive equipment for disabilities is specifically intended to address the needs of individuals with specific support needs. Some examples of adaptive technologies include:
Screen readers
Screen readers are adaptive devices for people with disabilities that convert on-screen text into audible speech or Braille, thus improving accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision. Screen readers enable users to navigate digital content independently, which is why it’s crucial for web developers to create websites and applications that are fully screen-reader compatible.
Audio description
Audio description – sometimes referred to as descriptive narration – is a solution designed to make visual media more accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision. Audio description tracks provide an audible description of visual elements of media like scenery, physical gestures and on-screen text. Audio description can be provided for both live and pre-recorded audio as well as in-person events to provide more seamless experiences for all viewers.
Alternative communication devices
For individuals with speech disabilities, devices like text-to-speech tools or communication boards provide a means of expression and interpersonal interaction. These adaptive devices for disabilities can also be vital resources for individuals with neurodivergent conditions, such as those with autism spectrum disorder who may need additional support to communicate effectively.
Adaptive writing equipment
In addition to aforementioned solutions like automatic dictation and note-taking devices, other adaptive writing equipment like ergonomic and Braille keyboards can be used to make existing devices more accessible for those with disabilities. Additional adaptive equipment can be used to make keyboard input more user-friendly for individuals with mobility-related disabilities or conditions like Carpal tunnel syndrome.
The importance of assistive and adaptive technology
All these technologies play a vital role in providing greater equity and accessibility for individuals with disabilities and other specific needs. Assistive and adaptive technology solutions make it possible for all people to engage equitably with digital devices, virtual platforms and live events. It is recommended that business owners and content creators proactively invest in assistive technology solutions to ensure they are communicating as effectively as possible with community members of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
High-quality assistive technology solutions also play a critical role in supporting accessibility requirements like the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These accessibility standards mandate the seamless inclusion and availability of disability accommodations in a wide range of contexts and environments to ensure all individuals can engage equitably with content and communications. It is important to note, however, that these requirements dictate that all assistive technology solutions and adaptive devices be highly accurate and fully functional as a condition of their legal compliance.
Challenges in implementing adaptive technology
When looking to implement assistive or adaptive technology for disabilities, it is important to consider some of the common challenges associated with these solutions. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Cost: Many high-quality adaptive devices and assistive technologies come at a significant cost. Unfortunately, low-cost alternatives tend to deliver lower levels of accuracy and efficiency and may fall short of meeting the high bar of today’s accessibility standards.
- Customization: Cookie-cutter assistive technology solutions and adaptive devices may not adequately support the far-ranging needs of today’s consumers. Subsequently, some individuals may prefer to invest in customizable solutions which require additional time, money and resources to personalize.
- Maintenance and training: Technology is constantly evolving, and so are adaptive devices. To ensure users’ support needs are consistently met, it is important to invest in ongoing training, maintenance and updates to stay one step ahead of technological advancements and accessibility trends. Each of these processes can be resource-intensive, and it is vital to account for the time and capital they require.
Verbit: The best of both worlds
Verbit offers a variety of assistive and adaptive technology designed to address many of the common challenges associated with these tools while maximizing their widely regarded benefits. Verbit’s state-of-the-art ASR technology is trained using industry-specific language models and is regularly updated in accordance with ongoing customer input and feedback. Verbit’s proprietary software is used to power a variety of assistive and adaptive technologies including closed captioning, transcription and audio description.
Each of these tools was developed with ever-evolving accessibility needs and requirements in mind, and Verbit’s platform boasts an accuracy rate high enough to support today’s stringent legal standards and guidelines. If you’re interested in learning more about the intersections of technology and accessibility or want more information about Verbit’s adaptive and assistive technologies, reach out today to speak to a member of our team.