Lionel Messi and OrCam: Enhancing self-determination
Off the soccer field, professional footballer Lionel Messi is known for his commercials for Pepsi, Lay's or Dolce & Gabbana. Now he has also become the brand ambassador for OrCam MyEye and shines a bright light on this unique assistive technology.
In 2019, various exhibitors offered special aids and products for visually impaired and blind people. In the field of communication, visual aids for computers – such as electronic reading magnifiers and cameras – or new software, various Braille models and also products in the field of image recognition were presented.
Europe: Inclusion with the help of assistive devices
The supply of auxiliary means differs from country to country – within Europe and worldwide. This can lead to problems for the individuals who live with a disability and depend on their assistive aids in order to be mobile and participate in professional and social life. So what exactly is the situation like and what needs to be improved?
"Breaking down mental barriers is more important than auxiliary aids"
Competent and tough – Anja Winkler works at the Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden) and by virtue of her own disability is in charge of multiple accessibility and inclusion aspects. In this REHACARE.com interview, she describes the auxiliary aids and services that help make her workday easier and explains how she overcomes the barriers she occasionally faces as a blind staff member.
Several exhibitors presented special aids and products for hearing impaired and the deaf people at REHACARE 2019. In the field of communication, for example, optical or mechanical signal transmitters and alarm clocks as well as telephone amplification systems were presented or services provided by sign language interpreters.
Our living space reveals a lot about us. It undergoes many changes as the years go by and – with any luck - adapts to our circumstances. Sooner or later accessibility becomes an important issue for all of us. When it comes to our own four walls, this may consist of technology that enables us to live a self-determined life or may involve smart home devices and assistance systems that could lower caregiver stress and relieve the care sector.
Smartwatch app alerts d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing users to different sounds
Smartwatches offer people a private method for getting notifications about their surroundings – such as a phone call, health alerts or an upcoming package delivery. Now University of Washington researchers have developed SoundWatch, a smartwatch app for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who want to be aware of nearby sounds.