5 amazing videos showcasing assistive tech

​COVID-19 has highlighted just how much we all rely on technology. Digital inclusion and accessibility have never been more important for people with disabilities. But while digital inclusion still has room for improvement, progress is being made. The NDIA has recently announced measures for increased plan flexibility. This means people can now purchase smart devices and other low cost assistive technology using their NDIS funds (even if they don’t have a budget for consumables).

Modern technologies are also helping to pave the way for a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. From screen readers to eye trackers, assistive technology supports people with a range of abilities go about their daily lives.

For Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’ve complied our favourite YouTube videos to showcase some of the innovative and amazing assistive technologies now available and how they are being used by people with a range of disabilities.

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1.       How Australian newsreader, Nas Campenella, uses screen reading technology

Nas Campenella is an Australian journalist, newsreader and disability advocate. She has been blind since she was six months old, but that has not stopped her from doing exactly what she wants in life. In this video she shows how she uses screen reading technology to read the news on live radio.

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2.       How Cochlear implants have enabled people to hear clearly again

Cochlear is a leader in implantable hearing devices that help to restore hearing and connect people to the world of sound. It is an Australian company and a huge success story around the world. Watch their video to see how Cohclear implants have transformed the lives of those with no hearing.

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3.       How Accessibility settings on computers are used to help people with vision impairment

This entertaining video by legally blind filmmaker and YouTuber, James Rath, shows how he uses the Accessibility settings on his Apple computer to help him send emails, read news articles, and watch YouTube videos.

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4.       How Microsoft Eye Control empowers people with physical disabilities

Jon Campell from Microsoft shows how Eye Control technology for Windows can be used to operate a wheelchair. The same technology allows users to operate an onscreen mouse, keyboard and translate text-to-speech using only their eyes.

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5.      How Apple is innovating to make its technology accessible to everyone

Apple has a great video series called “Accessibility – Designed for everyone”. Here is one video from the series that shows how Apple technology is empowering people with a range of abilities.

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