As the Tech for Disability official resource hub launches softly ahead of a fuller one in autumn, in Tech For Disability's latest Inclusive Conversation on 11th July, we asked a very simple question: why is Tech for Disability important? As technology continues to grow in our society, we aim to raise awareness of the need for inclusivity in the tech space, the support provided for both disabled entrepreneurs and those creating tech centred around disabilities, as well as the ways in which tech can make your life easier. If you missed this fantastic conversation, here is a brief overview of why we need tech for disability
Sam Manning introduced his unique venture, Hope Macy and its product Family Connect, a banking support system for disabled and neurodiverse individuals. It brought me back to a time when I was younger, struggling with my ADHD and afraid I’d be overwhelmed with the pressures of managing money; I wish I had Family Connect at that time. After creating software algorithms to identify vulnerable individuals more inclined to debt, he could also see the links between this and disabilities. Sam also outlined many essential aspects of his creation process, such as the importance of design, ensuring what you are creating, in general, is secure and accessible, and when creating tech for disability, thinking about both your target and not assuming it’s only applicable to them. An aspect I also found very interesting is considering the real-life scenarios that can occur for a disabled individual, such as exploitation and manipulation. Hope Macy considers so many potential risk elements that you wouldn’t have thought of when considering having a trusted person oversee your account. Now that Lloyd’s Bank will refer its neurodivergent young people customers to the service, it also provides a case study into how collaborations benefit corporations and businesses to be more inclusive and accessible.
Fiona Jarvis then took a narrative-led deep dive into what I believe to be the reality for many disabled business people’s lived experiences, leading her to shape how we aim to change and impact the world. When working in software sales, Fiona often took her clients to many cafés and restaurants around London. As she became less mobile, she began to realise the lack of accessible places for disabled individuals. From her experiences, Fiona created Blue Badge Style, a place to find the best London venues for your diverse accessibility needs and push what should be a consensus that hospitality needs to be more accessible. Having created a custom data set between different needs and accessible pointers, she aims to make this more individualised and visualised with the growth of AI and immersive technology. The Blue Badge Style so beautifully depicts how our own lives can shape change and bring a lived experience perspective and awareness to an area that impacts many. Disabled people are often an afterthought by others. How can we make it so that this is no longer the narrative and that every person in every physical or mental position is thought of in every circumstance?
Matthew Bellinger, as a neurodivergent technologist and inclusive consultant himself, first explored drivers for the industry such as how the creation of the EU accessibility act is one of the most significant indicators of how tech inclusivity and tech for disability is significantly growing in importance. This act aims to make digital services accessible, giving companies and businesses a 3-year adjustment period to adapt to the new rules. In addition, it rightfully harmonises the accessibility rules across all EU countries, giving a more systemised approach to technology. Beyond what most people think of physical, sight and sound adjustments, he raised the significant profile of neuro-accessibility, and for many of us who didn’t even know of the EU accessibility Act, it served as a revelation that inclusivity in regard to technology is being taken seriously and comprehensively now more than ever. As to how to address the need to be accessible, when asked about the best approach to co-creation, Matthew stated to start from what and where you understand and know personally. For neurodiverse individuals, the realities of an idea can be overwhelming, acting as a deterrent for it to become any more than a thought. Starting where you understand makes it easier to become something that will truly stay with me.
With so much to take away from these amazing individuals, we can surely take away that tech for disabilities should be at the forefront of not only our minds but every business and organisation.
So welcome to Tech for Disability!