Our reliance on technology has reached unprecedented levels, such that today it touches every aspect of our lives, influencing how we communicate, work, and perform daily tasks. 

The rapid development of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), has opened new doors across various domains. One of the most significant has been in assistive technology, which has improved the lives of many by making tasks easier and more accessible. For people with disabilities (PWDs), these advancements have been transformative, enabling greater independence and integration into society.

According to a report published in 2022 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called “The Global Report on Assistive Technology”, more than 2.5 billion people worldwide will require one or more assistive products during their lifetime. This number is expected to rise to over 3.5 billion by 2050, driven by the ageing global population.

The report defines assistive technology as encompassing a range of products, systems, and services designed to support individuals’ needs. They include physical products such as wheelchairs, spectacles, hearing aids, prostheses, orthoses, and walking devices. Assistive technology also covers digital tools, such as software and apps that help with communication, time management, and monitoring. Additionally, it may involve physical adaptations to the environment, such as portable ramps.

Assistive technology has experienced remarkable advancements with the incorporation of AI. This can recognise images and make data-driven predictions through its ability to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving skills, allowing for programmes to be more intelligent, offer more personalised interactions, and have the capacity to solve complex issues.

Mohamed Al-Harthy, an expert in technology and information, said that “with the integration of AI technologies, assistive technology has gained the ability to empower individuals with disabilities in various ways. People with visual impairments can use tools such as white canes equipped with sensors or cameras that can detect obstacles in their path and provide auditory descriptions, for example. Software that converts visual text into audio can also enable individuals with visual impairments to navigate challenges, such as reading instructions.”

“Another example is prosthetics, which have greatly advanced with the use of AI technologies to enhance movement patterns. Some prosthetic designs can now receive signals from the brain via simple sensors placed on the head, translating these signals into movement patterns that enable the prosthesis to move more efficiently and quickly,” he said.

For Marwan Mustafa, a programmer and web designer, “AI technology can also assist in developing smart hearing devices that adjust their settings based on the surrounding sound environment, thereby enhancing the user experience. AI technologies have also led to the development of smart glasses capable of correcting vision and providing additional support, such as text and object recognition. Additionally, with the help of AI, augmented and virtual reality systems have been created to improve the experience of individuals with visual impairments in learning, training, and interacting with their environment.”

Mustafa said that he has conducted research about AI and its impact on auditory and visual disabilities. The results highlighted the potential of AI technologies to aid in the early detection of hearing and vision disorders by analysing data and identifying patterns that might be unclear to doctors, he said.

Applications designed for PWDs are among the most important forms of assistive technology using AI. They represent some of the most accessible and affordable tools to assist PWDs worldwide, especially as the high cost of advanced assistive technology products can make them less accessible to many individuals with disabilities.

“Through technology-focused Facebook and WhatsApp groups for visually impaired individuals, I constantly learn about new technological applications. These groups also give guidance on how to use the apps, helping with any difficulties,” said Hassan Abdel-Fattah, a welcome host at the Dialogue in the Dark Egypt Exhibition that aims to raise awareness about visual impairment.

“Mobility is one of the biggest challenges for visually impaired individuals, so I rely on the Lazarillo app for navigation when I go out alone. The app indicates the name of the street I am passing through, along with the streets ahead, behind, and beside me, making navigation much easier,” Abdel-Fattah said.

“I also use the Insta Reader app to read text. Additionally, I rely on the Cash Reader app, specifically designed to identify currency for visually impaired individuals. The app reads various currencies, although it still has difficulty recognising the new LE10 and LE20 polymer banknotes in Egypt.”

Sharing his experience about visually impaired individuals’ dedicated apps, Shady Osama, a guide at Dialogue in the Dark Egypt, said that “I rely on applications in my daily life, like the Be My Eyes app, which allows visually impaired individuals to connect with sighted volunteers worldwide for assistance with tasks that require vision.”

“For instance, I recently faced an issue with my laptop when the screen reader stopped working, leaving me unable to use it. I opened the app and chose to speak with someone who spoke Arabic. The app connected me with a person from an Arab country who guided me in positioning my mobile camera towards the laptop, helping me identify the specific problem that caused the screen reader to stop functioning so I could address it.”

“I also use the Envision app, which has an added feature that lets me point the camera at a written document to read the text for me,” Osama said.

APPLICATIONS: Egyptian developers have participated in developing applications to support PWDs, such as the Wasel application, a service designed for people with hearing disabilities and speech difficulties created with the help of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. 

“The app operates 24 hours a day, receiving video calls in which individuals with hearing impairments or speech difficulties can communicate through sign language. After understanding the report made by the caller in sign language, the app’s customer service representative contacts the relevant authorities, such as emergency medical services, fire departments, or police stations, and conveys the message of the person with the disability,” said Iman Kareem, chair of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly. 

“The first phase of Wasel app was limited to emergency calls only. However, in the second phase, it expanded to allow the app’s customer service representative to receive video calls and act as an intermediary sign-language interpreter between hearing- and speech-impaired individuals and those they wish to communicate with for purchasing goods or requesting services,” she said.

Technology is also being used to support education for PWDs. “The government created the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to help connect people with disabilities to available services and programmes,” Kareem said.

“Every disability has unique technology needs. We work with organisations to share the challenges faced by people with disabilities with service developers, helping them tailor their research accordingly. For example, we have emphasised the need for the local manufacturing and maintenance of prosthetics, as the effective functioning of assistive devices relies on regular upkeep.”

“We have also focused on utilising technology to make educational materials accessible to individuals with visual impairments. In collaboration with 10 partner organisations, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities [NAID], the national council has implemented a project aimed at enhancing the inclusion of individuals with visual impairments and reading difficulties by developing audio-based information accessibility. The project involved converting books and educational curricula into audio format.”

“This was made possible through the Digital Accessible Information System [DAISY], a method of producing electronic books that enables users to listen to them and easily navigate the contents using audio text. DAISY can also work on devices designed for individuals with visual impairments,” she added.

“DAISY books consist of multiple electronic files, including audio files, image files, and others that contain index and content organisation, navigation files, and additional files that indicate pause points, comments, and so on. All of the files work together to present the books in the most accurate and accessible way.”

Sabha Hamdy, public relations officer at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, emphasised the need to not only introduce new educational projects and innovative tools but also to continue enhancing long-established assistive devices to support visually impaired students. “By refining these tools, we can eliminate obstacles to their use and boost efficiency, making educational access easier and more effective for people with disabilities,” she explained. 

Hamdy added that while state-of-the-art technology can offer significant benefits, its cost may be prohibitive for some.

DEVELOPMENTS: During the Ways to Advance Education for the Visually Impaired in the Arab World Conference that recently took place in Tunisia, Hamdy introduced two established tools used in Egyptian schools for visually impaired students: the Refreshable Braille Display and the Braille Arithmetic Board, presented alongside the new DAISY project. 

Although the Braille Arithmetic Board is non-technological, its expanded use could greatly improve access to educational content, demonstrating how both advanced and traditional tools can contribute to supporting visually impaired students on their learning journey, Hamdy said.

“The enhancements made to some long-established assistive devices have proven to be a transformative change for visually impaired individuals. For example, the Refreshable Braille Display, a compact device resembling a keyboard, enables visually impaired users to write, read, and store data using Braille while supporting audio files and audiobooks.”

Previously, they had to carry the heavy Perkins Brailler for writing or large volumes of Braille-printed pages for reading. Now, they can read, write, store, and retrieve data, all on one lightweight portable device. 

Hamdy said that assistive products are not limited to educational content alone. She has been able to learn about the King Menes relief in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square by using a pen that reads the QR code beside the artefact, providing detailed audio explanations and information, for example. 

“During one of my visits to the museum, I used the digital pen designed for visually impaired individuals to enjoy the ancient artifacts. It was an amazing experience, seeing how this tool could enable me to appreciate art and heritage in every detail. The Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria also uses similar technology, providing explanations in Arabic, English, and Italian. It was a gift to the two museums from Italy,” she said.

More capabilities of assistive technology are demonstrated in smart homes, where it can integrate various technological tools, including applications, assistive devices, and advanced compensatory equipment, thereby offering a more comprehensive vision of how technology can simplify the lives of PWDs. 

According to Shady Nafie, founder of a smart home technology company, “transforming a home into a smart, accessible space for PWDs can be seamless through the selection and installation of thoughtfully designed devices tailored to their needs.”

“For example, visually impaired individuals can use Voice-Controlled Assistants, such as Amazon Echo or Google Nest, which allow users to control lights, air conditioning, and other household appliances using voice commands. Voice-controlled assistants can also provide voice feedback on the status of the home. For instance, a person can ask whether the door is locked or inquire about the current room temperature,” he said.

“As for individuals with physical disabilities, they can benefit from Smart Home Devices for Mobility Assistance, such as smart door locks, motorised curtains, and robot vacuum cleaners. Also, they can obtain kitchen appliances that operate through voice assistants or mobile apps. These features and devices help persons with mobility disabilities by making household management easier and reducing the need for physical effort.”

“Another way smart home technology helps PWDs is through smart alert systems, which offer the latest solutions for individuals with hearing impairments. Devices like the ring smart doorbell can flash lights or send notifications to a smartphone when someone rings the bell. Smart smoke detectors such as Nest Protect can provide visual alerts and notifications.  Moreover, wearable devices like smartwatches vibrate to notify users of important events, such as a doorbell ring or an alarm. These features ensure that individuals with hearing impairments remain aware of their surroundings.” 

“However, despite the significant progress in smart home markets, the technology is still developing in Egypt. Both smart home devices and advanced assistive technologies face similar challenges. The Egyptian tech market’s reliance on imported products increases costs, causes delays, and limits availability, making them more expensive and less accessible to the local population,” Nafie said.

According to Abdel-Moneim Al-Sharkawy, head of the National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities speaking to the Weekly, “to address the challenges faced by assistive technologies in Egypt, the government has focused on localising their production. And as part of a presidential initiative, the National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities [NAID] has been established in Knowledge City in the New Administrative Capital.”

“The academy is equipped with advanced labs and business incubators to foster local research and development while attracting investors to support the production and accessibility of these vital tools.”

In collaboration with the MCIT, the NAID has also focused on providing training and support that contribute to the integration of PWDs into society. It is working with the Egyptian Paralympic Committee to enhance the application of technology to improve the performances of athletes with disabilities. 

“The MCIT has also partnered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity to support care facilities for PWDs by upgrading infrastructure and providing computer labs. Over 800 special education schools have been supported, and teachers have been trained to incorporate assistive technology into the educational process,” Al-Sharkawy said. 

At the same time, the government has been working to make services and information more accessible to PWDs. Estimates indicate that there are approximately 12 to 15 million PWDs in Egypt. Disability also affects their families, impacting around 30 to 36 million people, which represents about 30 per cent of the population, according to the website of the NAID.

“The government’s efforts to support PWDs are ongoing, with a strong focus on digital platforms. In collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, an app has been developed for the visually impaired to access electricity services, for example. The app features a simple user interface with voice guidance, allowing users to easily navigate service details, required documents, and procedures,” Al-Sharkawy said.

“Additionally, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy has introduced a similar app for users with hearing or speech impairments. This enhances communication with the electricity companies through sign language. It provides users with access to billing information, monthly consumption inquiries, customer service communication, and the ability to report faults or technical issues,” he concluded.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 December, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly