| The only thing "disabling" about living with a disability is | | | | Assistive technologies for computer use have boomed |
| the inconvenience presented by things designed to suit | | | | in recent years as access to computers and the |
| the needs of most people. If you are in a wheelchair, a | | | | internet have become a crucial component of modern |
| long flight of stairs presents a challenge. By removing | | | | life. With the help of screen readers and similar |
| barriers to access-for example by building wheelchair | | | | technology, people with visual impairments can use the |
| ramps-it's possible to minimize the inconvenience for | | | | internet almost as easily as a person without visual |
| people with disabilities. While ramps are no new | | | | impairments. This has enabled the visually impaired to |
| invention, there are numerous technologies that can be | | | | have access to the wealth of information available |
| used to aid the disabled. | | | | online. |
| Assistive technologies are applications of modern | | | | Aside from technologies for the hearing- and |
| technology to make it easier for people with disabilities | | | | visually-impaired, people with other kinds of disabilities |
| to live their lives independently and with confidence. | | | | also benefit from technology. Mobility technology and |
| The first law specifically advocating the development | | | | durable medical equipment allow people with conditions |
| of assistive technology is the Technology-Related | | | | like cerebral palsy to get around |
| Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988. | | | | independently-something that would have been nearly |
| Since then numerous laws have been passed to | | | | impossible not long ago. Mobility technologies have also |
| expand the use of assistive technologies and support | | | | helped many elderly people live much fuller lives than |
| their development. | | | | they would otherwise. |
| Many of the earliest applications of assistive | | | | If you live with a disability, you can seek financial |
| technology were for people with hearing difficulty. For | | | | assistance from the Social Security Administration to |
| decades now, telecommunications companies have | | | | help you pay for assistive technology. The process of |
| been required to provide systems that convert | | | | receiving social security benefits can be a difficult one, |
| between text and speech for the hard of hearing, | | | | however. Only a lawyer can help you successfully get |
| including teletext and closed captioning. These systems | | | | the technology you need. |
| were implemented before the development of | | | | The experienced Indiana disability lawyers of the |
| effective computer-based text-to-speech, so they | | | | Hankey Law Office are here to help you. To discuss |
| were carried out by people trained to listen and type in | | | | your case directly with an Indianapolis disability |
| real time. | | | | attorney, call the Hankey Law Office today. |