It’s estimated that over one billion people live with a disability. The category of people with disabilities varies, and many have unique needs to their different lifestyles, ages, and conditions.
New smart devices are increasingly providing convenient solutions and supporting diverse needs. According to a list compiled by IoT Secure, an IoT (Internet of Things) cybersecurity services provider, some smart devices have additional utilities for people with disabilities.
Voice assistants can make writing emails or other reports easier for people who have difficulty typing or coordinating hand movements. Instead of typing on a keyboard, they can use their voice to complete tasks.
A video doorbell is a good option for people with motor disabilities or visual impairment because they don’t need to open the door to strangers but can see who stopped by and follow up as needed.
Smart locks can be operated by voice or by app access through a phone or other device. Users can open their front doors to visitors without making a trip from different places in their homes.
For people with disabilities, smart light bulbs offer access to lighting without having to reach the switch in the dark. When combined with proper sensors, they can also play a more critical role, such as flashing when someone approaches the front door.
When vacuuming a home, people need to push the vacuum cleaner around the house, stopping to plug and unplug the machine and navigating it under beds or other pieces of furniture. Robotic vacuum cleaners are helpful for people with physical disabilities and those with memory issues, reducing the need for them to remember and complete a task.
Smart security systems do not only monitor unwanted visitors but also can detect a movement that’s out of the ordinary, giving people more information about their home, like leaky plumbing. These tools benefit people facing mobility and physical challenges that limit their access to stairs.
The smartwatch turns a timepiece into a remote control for our digital lives. It can be equipped with apps to call emergency services, monitor health information like heart rate, and self-report this data to relatives and physicians. It can also interface with other things an app runs, such as smart doorbells and security systems, making it even more convenient.
Many of the devices mentioned above rely on specific sensors. But together, a complete set of sensors can take away a lot of the uncertainty and anxieties from people with disabilities, especially when they live alone.
