The world is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. We use it for work, leisure, and for communication. But for people with disabilities, technology has been a game-changer.
Before, people with disabilities were at a severe disadvantage when it came to communication. They couldn’t participate in conversations or follow along with what was happening around them. This was especially isolating for those who are mute, deaf, or have difficulty speaking.
But with the advent of new technology, people with disabilities can finally bridge the communication gap. There are now many ways to participate in conversations and stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world.
Text-to-Speech Computer Software
Text-to-speech technology is a type of technology that allows people with disabilities to communicate with the outside world by converting text into speech. There are a variety of text-to-speech applications available, making this type of technology accessible to a wide range of people with different types of disabilities.
One famous example of text-to-speech technology is Google Translate. This can translate written text into over 100 different languages. This is incredibly useful for people with disabilities who need to communicate with people who speak a foreign language. People with disabilities just need to write out what they want to say in their own language. They use Google Translate to translate and speak it out in the other person’s language.
One of the leading providers of text-to-speech software for deaf and hard-hearing people is Nextalk. The company offers a suite of software and communications tools that enable businesses to communicate with their deaf and hard-of-hearing employees, customers, and clients. The company has a text-to-speech feature that converts written text into speech in real-time. This makes it possible for deaf and hard-of-hearing people to participate in phone calls, video conferences, and other audio/video communication types. This software allows inclusivity and collaboration in the workplace, as well as in other aspects of life.
Another example of text-to-speech technology is ReadAloud. This is a Chrome extension that reads web pages aloud. It’s great for people with visual impairments or dyslexia who have difficulty reading texts on screen. All they need to do is select the text they want to have read aloud and click on the ReadAloud button.
Then there’s Read&Write for Google Chrome. This software is designed to help people with dyslexia, a reading disability that affects around 10% of the population. Read&Write for Google Chrome provides various features that make reading and writing easier for people with dyslexia, such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and a dictionary.
Video Calling Software
Another way technology has bridged the communication gap between people with disabilities and the rest of the world is through video calling software. This software lets people see and talk to each other in real-time using a webcam. It allows two or more people to communicate with each other using video and audio through a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
People with hearing disabilities can use video conferencing for various purposes, such as work meetings, doctor’s appointments, or even just catching up with friends and family members. Thanks to video calling software, people with hearing disabilities can communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world.
Several different video calling software applications are available, such as Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime. Skype is a popular choice for business meetings, as it offers many features that make video conferencing easier, such as screen sharing and group video calls. Zoom is another popular choice for business meetings and has many of the same features as Skype. FaceTime is a built-in application on Apple devices that allows users to make one-on-one video calls.
Text Messaging
Text messaging, or short message service (SMS), is a way to send and receive text messages using a phone. People with hearing disabilities can use text messaging to communicate with family, friends, co-workers, and others without relying on sign language or lip reading. Text messaging is also convenient because it doesn’t require a data plan or WiFi connection.
There are also text messaging apps are available that require the internet to work, such as iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. iMessage is a built-in app on Apple devices that allows users to send and receive text messages, photos, videos, and documents. WhatsApp is a cross-platform app that allows users to send and receive text messages and make voice and video calls. Facebook Messenger is another cross-platform app that allows users to send and receive text messages, as well as make voice and video calls
Thanks to today’s tech innovations, even people with disabilities won’t have difficulty communicating with others. These three examples of software — text-to-speech, video calling, and text messaging — have bridged the communication gap, making it easier for people with disabilities to communicate with the world around them.
