New Technology Products for People with Disabilities

I am a bit late on some of the disability related technology news for 2007. In January of this year Microsoft and Assistive Technology Vendors introduced some new products for people with disabilities at the Assistive Technology Industry Associations 8th annual conference in Orlando. The products will be used in conjunction with Windows Vista.

Over 30 assistive technology companies worked with Microsoft in development of accessible products for people with disabilities ranging from physical, cognitive, sensory issues. Some of the products are one handed keyboards, screen magnification, joysticks and mice.

In years past, computer users with disabilities have had to wait 12 to 18 months for specialized software and hardware to work with the Windows Operating System. Research shows that with the population of the world aging and the possibility of disability increasing, technology needs to be accessible to all on an immediate basis.

Vista itself has specialized options within the OS so that people can read, hear, and type more easily.

For many people who use their computer as a major life line for communication with others, technology has finally caught up with our special needs.

[tags]disability, vista, Microsoft, Assistive Technology[/tags]