The benefits of assistive technology are numerous and can potentially improve people’s lives, both at home and at work. Because it can have such a powerful impact, it’s important that all parts of society can access what they need.
This impact is important in limiting the negative impacts on education, employment and community, resulting in much wider socioeconomic benefits for all disabilities. As we’ve seen, however, this is not always the case, with many people unable to access the latest technological innovations or even the simplest and least complex products.
Last week I wrote about how those who create assistive technology products rarely consult the people they are made for at the design stage, leading to products being abandoned by the end user due to their lack of usefulness. We realised that if a user is consulted, interviewed and asked the right questions, the end product would be far more useful and have far more longevity.
The WHO and UNICEF global report illuminates the scarcity of harnessing the right assistive technology products in some countries
Two years ago a WHO and UNICEF global report which I’ve referred to before, highlighted the inequality in access to assistive technology products. In poorer countries, only 3% had access to what they needed in stark contrast to 90% in richer countries. Even access to low-tech products like wheelchairs is difficult and in some cases non-existent. At the time of reporting 80 million people needed wheelchair access and only 5-35% had access to one.
Where do people find out about assistive technology products, how do they find out what they need and whether it even exists, or whether it’s something that needs to be created? If it does exist, what is its name, where can they find it, where can they go?
A useful toolkit in accessing the right kind of assistive technology product
The Business Disability Forum is a good place to start, with a toolkit listing items needed by those with a disability. There are also some interesting statistics on those who uses these items. Most of the key statistics were taken from the DWP’s Accessibility Adjustments Register. “DWP therefore gives a large enough sample size to be a good indication of the likelihood of clerical staff needing technological adjustments.”
To quote a few of the statistics 3.79% used ergonomic keyboards, and the use of cordless mice was at 1.02 per cent, with lower percentages for software products such as speech-to-text, and specialist headsets at 0.46 per cent. The types of disability looked at included motor impairment, dyslexia and visual impairment. Outdoor work for DWP was supplied by a different organisation and hearing impairment was dealt with via a different route.
This toolkit is useful in that it may identify tools that you or someone you know might need. The next port of call would be finance. Access to Work is a government department that supplies funding for those who need assistive technology products to carry out work, this is for both the employed and self-employed. I have been through this process myself, and I would warn anyone embarking on this journey to get support from the outset if you intend applying. Unfortunately, once manage to get through the onerous drawn-out process successfully, you will have to pay for the items yourself, and then wait for the government to reimburse you. This can take weeks and if you have products worth thousands of pounds, then you’ll be out of pocket for a while.
This in itself is a paradox, where the entire programme is designed to help those who need it the most and who don’t have the funds themselves, but in some cases, require large amounts of money upfront to access them. The whole system seems designed to obstruct rather than help.
So far, we’ve looked at the difficulties in getting assistive technology to the people who need it most and accessing financial support for those on low incomes. And also, how speaking to people at the design stage of a product would help enormously if you want something to be successful and long-lasting.
Harnessing the right support once your assistive technology product is ready to market
If you’re a business and you’ve created a product that is designed to help those with a particular disability, and hopefully you’ve carried out all the relevant research - you’re now ready to market your product. Perhaps you’re also looking for funding from investors?
All good things start with a story, in this case a brand story
The best place to start is with a story, a founder story that explains why you created the product, and why it’s so important, not just to you, but to your team. The narrative needs to be consistent in your messaging, your tone of voice, your mission and through every piece of content you create. Investors can be swayed by a good story, and we’re not talking mawkish sentimentality or playing the violin for the audience. It’s about giving what you’ve created the power and the support it needs to get seen, to get it out there and to make other people, even those without a vested interest or disability get behind and love it as much as you do.
Your web content needs to convey the message consistently too, hopefully, you will have saved all your research, all of the data and the rich source of information that can come from your market research, with the words from the very people who will have helped you test it along the way.
You’ll need to ensure you regularly add content to your website, be consistent, and make sure it has your tone of voice and your brand message throughout.
Finally, make sure it’s accessible. And that’s not just to those who can afford it, but to make it accessible to everyone who needs it.
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If you need help with your brand story, if you’re struggling with your personal brand and want to get to grips with positioning, mission, vision, TOV (tone of voice), then get in touch.
I also provide web content and content in the form of articles, ebooks and case studies.
Ideally, I’d love to work with those creating assistive tech products for neurodivergent communities, both adults and/or children but I’ll work with anyone who’s creating something good for society, for and for those with complex needs. I'll also work with anyone in the world (that's the beauty of remote work!!).
You may create products or services. You can be a solopreneur or a tech company, a therapist or a nonprofit. If you are any of these, or you think I can help you with something else, get in touch and ask me. I’m flexible and if it’s a good fit I’m in. All I ask is that you’re a nice human who’s empathic and tolerant.
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